- photo by Corey Mann
Some guy on the TV looked me in the eye this morning and announced that more than 70,000 Americans were laid off yesterday. It was a terrible day. Numbered among the 70,000 who lost their jobs are several of my friends at GCC.
The downturn in the economy has had a serious impact on all of us.
Though most of Christ’s-followers are unpaid servants, some are paid. We ask them to let us buy their time, so they can focus like a laser on specific ministries that help the rest of the church. These Christians we pay, so they can better deploy their gifts to help us fulfill our mission. We all benefit from their dedication.
I’m responsible to our GCC staff. I believe we should take good care of the people who take care of us. The staff at GCC does an incredible job. They deserve good pay and what the Bible calls “a double honor.”
But, I’m also responsible for leading this church to fulfill her mission. So what I feel like doing I can't always do. (Isn’t that often the case? You want to have your way, but if you fully gratify yourself and indulge your desire, you’ll damage your soul and mortgage your future.) I struggle when my desires are thwarted. I hate limitations in time, or money, or energy, or wisdom, or courage. What I want is the freedom to do what I want. But in many cases I can’t because I’m limited by responsibility.
When limits collide with desire something has to give. Limits are either recognized, or desire is unleashed. Responsibility is accepted, or it isn’t.
Why do weak parents produce weak children? Often it's because they operate out of their feelings instead of their responsibilities, that’s why. They want to do what they want to do more than they want to do what is right.
Why do weak pastors produce weak churches? Often it's because they are more concerned about their own feelings than they are about failing Christ, that’s why. Their desire for easy satisfaction is greater than their willingness to act responsibly. Weak leaders lack resolve, give up too easily and quit too soon.
It was reported today that Consumer confidence has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded. This season of political upheaval, and economic downturn, is no time for weak leadership.
I know my responsibility. I hate it, but I know it. Yesterday I did one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. I eliminated the jobs of several friends. I cried. I hated every minute of it. None of the people losing their jobs was failing. Some have been on staff with me for years. None lost the privilege of serving on staff because of poor performance. They were all doing good work. They are family.
Even so, I signed off on the most thoroughly processed decision my leadership team has ever made. My lead pastors are positive this was the right decision. We’ve done everything possible to avoid it. We know it was necessary. It was difficult but it was right.
I’ve heard it suggested (from others and from the voice of temptation in my head) that we should reduce outreach efforts, stop launching new ministries, reign in multi-site evangelism work and stifle innovation. Some of those tempters have proposed we stop helping other churches and focus on ourselves. These voices call for an inversion of orthodoxy; they recommend we turn our concerns top-side-down, making it our highest priority to keep every paid person on staff, even if it means we have to abandon our mission. Not a single person of GCC’s staff would ever want that!
We’ve already reduced everything possible, so I authorized the elimination of staff positions - cutting more than half-a-million dollars of staff wages and benefits out of our budget.
My advisors are in full agreement. GCC’s Administrative Council has recorded their complete support. Our Strategy Team has advised me. The Senior Management Team has absolute unity. As hard as it was, this was the right decision, and it positions us for strong ministry in the days ahead.
Please pray for our friends whose jobs were eliminated this week. They served us well in their paid positions and I know they’ll serve Christ well in their future ministries too – whether they’re paid or not. And pray for those who remain on staff; they’re charged with the task of leading GCC into the future.
If we are faithful to discipline our lives to do what is right, even when it’s difficult, God will bless our obedience.
Hebrews 12:11 - “At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.”
I can only immagine the burden that is on you right now. The yoke of responsibility is heavy at times, but like you tell us over and over again keep your feet pointed toward Christ. I only wish I had words to provide comfort. I can't help but believe this time we find ourselves in is leading to a time of great revival. I spoke to you almost a year ago after service one Sunday and said that something huge (good) is coming. I still believe the Almighty is fashioning something that is going to blow us all away. We all love you dearly Mark. James 1:2-4.
Posted by: brianburris | January 27, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Mark, thank you for speaking so accurately and descriptively to the painful process this has been for all of us. I couldn't experience more resolve in my commitment to you, to the tough decisions we've made together, and to the certain days of vision, hope and harvest ahead of us.
I'm still praying for our friends tonight. And I'm praying for you.
Mark Waltz
Posted by: Mark Waltz | January 28, 2009 at 12:13 AM
We will continue to pray for Granger and staff from a distance. Thank you for modelling church in tough times to the rest of us.
I understand your pain from a real deep place tonight.
Posted by: Garry Mullen | January 28, 2009 at 12:29 AM
My prayers are with GCC, the let-go employees, and their families.
Posted by: Kent Shaffer | January 28, 2009 at 01:57 AM
Hey Mark,
We have never met, however GCC has had a lasting impact on my ministry. As I read this my heart goes out to you. Two years ago we hit hard times because of one families sin in the church. I had to cut a full-time staff member back to part-time after a six month run of great ministry. It hurt, I cried, I looked at the finances, but nothing could keep us from making this most difficult decision. The staff member was able to get the job he left to take our FT position and remain PT. Following a brief season of dessert living, God began to do something we could not have imagined. We have doubled in size and it will not be long before we can bring this great staff member back on FT. I believe God allowed this to come our way to keep us focused on trusting Him. My and my friend (the staff member) have learned much from struggle of financial difficulty.
God lift my brother Mark up today and in the days to come. May your peace shroud him against the enemies attempts to discourage him and I pray that you protect and provide for those staff members who must now seek employement abroad, Thank you God, Amen!
Keep doing what you do, God certainly will!
Craig L
Posted by: Craig Lee | January 28, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Thank you Mark, for not shying away from "tough leadership". You inspire me in my personal walk with Christ through this decision, not letting the circumstances dictate what God's purpose if for you and our church
Posted by: Bruno | January 28, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Mark - sounds like an incredibly hard but much needed decision. From someone who is blessed by GCC from a far, I just want to thank you sincerely for your passion to help other churches and have a large-scale impact for the Kingdom. There are *many* of us ministry leaders at other churches around that country that learn so much from you and GCC - and who are through this starting to understand that what he have received we too must pass on. I'm also impressed by the fact that those who lose their jobs are not losing the privilege of serving. While that makes no sense whatsoever to the world, it speaks volumes about the people who volunteer their time and their lives in ministry at GCC. May God bless you guys richly!! - Larry
Posted by: Larry | January 28, 2009 at 11:07 AM
God:
I pray that you show us where you are taking us through this season, I pray that you will help us to have the strength to go through this season and jouney, Thank you God that we can continue to follow and work for you even when its not easy, not fun. help us as a church, as your people to see ahead at what you will and are doing with us. strengthen us and help us to band together as you would have us to.
Mark:
we feel your pain. We love the church and all its people, especially those who give so much leading... count us in for help and prayers..
below is a tough verse for me to understand but I want to belive it / Do it.
Romans 5:3-5
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us "alert for whatever God will do next". In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Posted by: Ron Windbigler | January 28, 2009 at 11:28 AM
And for a little humor, (maybe some truth) after my post I read my emails and this statement was in one of them.
I say thank you God for trusting us......
I always know...
God won't give me more than I can handle
There are times I just wish He didn't trust me quite so much.
Posted by: Ron Windbigler | January 28, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Mark,
I'm an Associate Pastor of a medium sized church in Wenatchee, WA. I have been blessed through Granger's online services. As a pastor, you don't have many opportunities to visit other churches but I watch your service weekly and am always encouraged.
I've been re-reading The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis' recently. Your post reminded me of a quote from one of the devotionals. "Such times do not make us weak; they show what we are." It is evident through this difficult decision that what spills out of you is God's love. Keep loving brother and may God continue to use you and GCC to reach a lost world.
Posted by: Donavon King | January 28, 2009 at 06:40 PM
Mark and the entire GCC family...Rob & I (along with our staff) are praying for you. Can't imagine the pain. In difficult times like these, isn't it good to know God never changes.
Posted by: Tammy Neel | January 28, 2009 at 06:52 PM
mark its thursday,we hurt with you within the last blog,and miss your positive,god given,truth's of wisdom. praying for encouragement and wisdom for you and feel your pain. thank you for being our courageous leader and now, continue to lead us in god's kingdom building and anticipate new bloggs in the future m.piedt
Posted by: michael piedt | January 29, 2009 at 07:09 AM
So I have been thinking for the past few days on what is happening all arond us...
This is the scripture for the day for me... hope it helps me, and others. Help me /us see the unseen God?
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
NIV
Posted by: Ron Windbigler | January 29, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Pastor Mark,
Well reasoned, well said, may God bless bless you moving forward.
Posted by: jeremy | January 29, 2009 at 05:50 PM
MARK,MAY GOD KEEP YOU STRONG. NEVER LOOK BACK ALWAYS TAKE THOSE STEPS YOU ALWAYS TALK ABOUT...YOU SAVED MY LIFE THE NIGHT YOU WERE SITTING IN THAT BASS BOAT. WHEN YOU CAST THAT LINE OUT IT HIT MY HEART..IM THE GUY YOU BROUGHT TO CHRIST THAT NIGHT..IM THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS SAYING I HOPE YOU DO ANOTHER BASS MESSAGE...MAY GOD KEEP STRONG,YOUR FAMILY. IM HAPPY TO BE SERVING AT GCC BILL SHEETS
Posted by: WILLIAM SHEETS | January 29, 2009 at 08:34 PM
PASTER MARK, ONE THING DONT QUIT SMILING..GOD LOVES YOU AN SO DO WE AT GCC. I WISH I HAD THE FAITH BACK WHEN YOU WERE AT THE THEATER...BILL SHEETS
Posted by: WILLIAM SHEETS | January 29, 2009 at 08:46 PM
Mark, I met you at Saddleback in May 2008. I have been a huge fan of you, your leadership team and GCC as a whole since I became a church planter in 2005. I serve a 3 year old church plant in southwest Georgia. Part of who I am today is because of you. You have inspired me to be the best leader I can to the people I love whom I serve. Your leadership has spilled over to the likes of Tim Stevens, Tony Morgan, Rob Wegner, Mark Waltz & Kem Meyer, all who have blessed my life. Thank you for all you do and know that I simply am praying for you, your leadership team and the people of GCC. I am one of those whom you speak of - a church leader who has been blessed because of GCC's unselfishness and willingness to share. I hope that when I go through a day like you have (and we all will), I can have the guts to stay the course and never let someone hijack the vision God has given me for the church I serve, no matter how hard the decisions are. I love you my brother.
Bryan Gerstel, Lead Pastor, The Pointe, a united methodist congregation, Albany, GA
Posted by: Bryan Gerstel | January 31, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Almost three years ago I was a displaced ministry staff worker, so it broke my heart all over again when I heard of the painful decision you had to make. My prayer for those whose jobs were eliminated would be that your church family and staff do not forget about them. Give them as much spiritual and emotional support as possible. They are beginning a journey of hurt, frustration and maybe even anger. God will carry them through that journey, as he did me, however, I longed for the support of my church family and former staffers. The hurt of not having that support is far worse than the pain of losing a job. You, your staff and those dear people will be in my prayers.
Posted by: LM | January 31, 2009 at 01:08 AM
Thank you for the article. It is nice to know that some pastors actually anguish over this decision, and do it the right way. I wish more pastors read this and acted this way. It would have saved me more pain that I have recently recieved.
Posted by: John | February 01, 2009 at 09:52 AM
At the Bible college I attended in Michigan, we had a president who, whenever finances were tight, and that was often, he was the first staff member that didn't get paid that week and for however long it was necessary. Others still were paid, students were still fed, bills were still paid, and so on. He was a Godly man of much wisdom. I learned a lot from that man. I think we all could learn from him.
Posted by: Tom Becker | February 06, 2009 at 07:31 AM
My heart and thoughts go out to the people who lost their jobs, passions, ministrys, income and so on and to their families as well. To the people whose hearts and souls were into this ministry and who were so dedicated and committed. Please don't ever lose sight of them. I assure you on the day they were let go there was a lot of crying when they went home to tell their spouses and kids. I went through the same thing. It is heart wrenching. I've been on both sides of it and let me tell you it's harder to lose the job than being the one to take it from them. But God has provided.
Posted by: Tom Becker | February 06, 2009 at 12:32 PM
You did an excellent job explaining the process you went through.
Sometimes our people don't get to see or feel our pain that is gut wrenching as we make tough decisions. Sometimes I think our church people misinterpret us when we make difficult decisions, especially when it involves people we all love and appreciate. Personally, it should never be easy to do these kinds of things as we need to be in empathy as well as still make the hard calls......you did it right! Thank You....Pastor Paul
Posted by: Pastor Paul Treichel | February 10, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Did you ever consider firing yourself and let someone else lead. Or what about cutting all staff salaries by half or a third? This could have saved a lot of money and the other ones jobs. Would any "Lead" pastor do something as out of the box as this? Probably not. I guess you still need to put food on the table.
Posted by: Tom Becker | February 24, 2009 at 07:20 AM
I want that my love to you will turn into bright sunlight so that to warm your heart. Do you like it?
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