Good stewardship is a requirement for ministry. Many dance and movement ministries need money for several ministry needs including garments, travel, conference attendance, music purchases, reading materials, instructional DVDs, and other resources. It is common for church dance ministries to have very little or no money at all to operate. This results in the majority of purchases being paid for by dance ministry members or parents of younger dancers. With prayer and wise counsel, we can do better.
Because many struggle in the area of finances, this unfortunately determines the quality of items purchased for ministry use. We must become more resourceful, ask for wisdom, and glean from the experience of others in this area. There may be seamstresses and tailors willing to "sow" into the ministry of dance by volunteering their services, donating remnant fabric, or providing consultation as to how to save money by buying materials at wholesale prices. Often we have not because we ask not.
In the ever-growing field of dance and worship arts conferences, there are also ways to practice sound money management in a pinch. This may mean hosting smaller events, inviting fewer speakers, using local resources, and getting more volunteer contributions (food donations, travel, discount facilities, decor, etc). We can never let the economy compromise our ability to minister the Word effectively. Excellence does not have to be compromised when cost-cutting. When we are faithful over little, we will rule over much.
Isaiah 55:1-2 (NKJV)
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Luke 16:13-15 (NKJV)
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
John 12:5-6 (NKJV)
“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
No comments:
Post a Comment