Fortune favours the bold … or so the saying goes. You, pastor, are a spiritual leader; so be bold and lead; encourage and inspire your people in these challenging times. Have faith!

2 Corinthians 4:13 says confidently, “It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.” What an awesome thought!

As spiritual leaders we are responsible to set the spiritual climate, create the spiritual environments and lead our people during this global financial challenge. We lead our people by what we believe about God and money and by what we say! We lead our people by how we walk, how we talk and by the expression of our faith in God.

This economic situation is real and very challenging. But regardless of what we see around us we must point people towards eternal realities. We must inspire them in their faith, teach them about God, how to thrive in these challenging circumstances and that this season will pass.

Things we need to avoid as leaders:

1. Stop listening to CNN (that stands for Constantly Negative News). Read the word; centre and focus your attention on who God is and what God’s purpose is for the church. We provide foundation to faith when we go on to remind people of the positive character and nature of God.

2. Stop ignoring the crunch! Name it as a season of faith; embrace the times; call it a challenge and then encourage your people that we are up for it! Talk about it publically. But be optimistic, full of faith. Start telling your people we can overcome! Inspire faith!

3. Stop worrying. Matthew 6:31, 33 says “Do not worry, but seek first His kingdom.” God’s not running out of cash, God has no toxic debts, and God does not need a bailout plan! Teach people the power of prayer and lead them to “seek first” God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Make sure you pray for your people publicly and privately, in church and as individual. Pray for needs and give reports of God’s provision every week. This is a spiritual problem at its very root, you are a spiritual leader; pray.

4. Stop submitting to the world’s economic system. God laid down clear principles in His word about money, wealth and how the house of God is financed. Boldly communicate His word and its life’s transforming principles. Teach people this is not the time to stop giving this is a time for them to be inspired by God’s word to give … “even beyond their ability; entirely on their own.” (2 Corinthians 8:3). Inspire your people in becoming extravagant givers; continue to teach tithing.

5. Stop looking at the gates of Hell. There has never been such a good time to preach the good news about Jesus and we are seeing in our UK church people coming to Christ in large numbers. It really is Jesus who is building His Church! Keep your focus on Him, inspire people to focus their attention on Him and whatever you do lift Him up!

6. Stop thinking you are in charge! Jesus said, “I will build my church.” He is Jehovah Jireh, God is in charge.