Your Problem is Not Vision; It’s Getting Provision
By Raul Rivera
As summer break comes to an end and church activities begin to pick up again, many churches face the challenge of revitalizing their ministries. This blog is designed to inspire and encourage you not just to keep going but to fully embrace all that God has in store for you. Summer slumps are common, with decreased activities and lower giving often leaving pastors feeling discouraged. In fact, the first Monday after the 4th of July is notorious for being a time when many churches grappling with this slump consider closing. I want to remind you of the reason you started your church and the importance of reinforcing the gospel and the promises of God.
One of the great aspects of the gospel and God’s rewards is that perseverance leads to victory. While Matthew 24:13 (NIV) speaks of perseverance unto salvation, the principle extends to God rewarding perseverance in all areas of life. Here are some nuggets of wisdom that will encourage you:
1. Lack of Finances
Truth be told, finances—or the lack of them—can be a major source of discouragement. I understand this firsthand. I know what it feels like to have dreams that are a hundred times bigger than my ministry’s finances. I know the frustration of feeling boxed in by financial constraints. During those moments, I learned I needed to focus on the Lord and His call on my life. I had to remind myself that He would provide for whatever He had ordained in my life. It was crucial to fight to keep my heart pure and maintain an attitude of gratitude. Through those experiences, I discovered the grace of contentment despite my circumstances. Looking back, I can say with absolute certainty that when I learned to be content with where God had placed me, those days became some of the happiest of my life. At that time, I was pastoring a church of about 150 members, where summer attendance often dropped below 50. Despite the tight finances, we consistently saw the Lord come through for us. Those were the days when the Lord truly forged my heart in the crucible described in Psalms 66:10.
2. Perpetual State of Preparedness
Another key lesson I learned in the early years of my ministry was the importance of living in a perpetual state of preparedness. I discovered that a significant part of receiving a blessing from God is being ready to accept it when it arrives. I firmly believe that blessings pass us by many times because we aren’t prepared to receive them. Consider this: What if 100 new people were added to your church next week? What if tithes and offerings quadrupled? Is everything in place today to handle such growth? Will your church be able to sustain it?
In the early days of StartCHURCH, I received a call from a pastor in Alabama who was about to receive a $40,000 donation. The issue was that his church didn’t yet have 501(c)(3) status. Although this pastor’s bookkeeper advised the pastor that 501(c)(3) status wasn’t necessary, the donor required assurance that his donation would be tax-deductible.
Without the 501(c)(3) status, that guarantee couldn’t be provided. The pastor asked if StartCHURCH could help him secure the 501(c)(3) status quickly. We assured him that we would expedite the process, but the pastor needed it by the following Monday, which was not possible. Despite his best efforts to get his 501(c)(3) as quickly as possible, this pastor wasn’t ready when the opportunity came, and he missed out on the $40,000 donation. Blessings are coming to your church, but you need to be prepared to receive them. Look at the three suggestions below.
- Good Bookkeeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records regardless of the season. This is an integrity test. Keep these in good order always, as though you were accounting for a large and prosperous church.
- Policies and Procedures: Ensure that your church’s policies and procedures are always in place and followed. Continue to count offerings using checks and balances. Don’t think, “It’s just a few hundred dollars; why have multiple counters?” It is this integrity step that shows you are ready for bigger blessings.
- Sermon Preparation: Never underestimate the value of thorough preparation. Don’t assume, “It will only be a few people tonight,” and cut corners with your message preparation. Always deliver your best. If you expect to be 20 people in service, prepare as though it will be 2,000 people.
3. Alternative Funding Sources
My oldest brother, Tony, is my hero when it comes to making something out of nothing. In 2005, he and his wife Dianna started Citi Church Miami in the Allapattah community of Miami, FL, with absolutely no resources and only five people in attendance. Tithes and offerings were scarce, yet they discovered that alternative funding sources were abundant. To date, they have received over $20 million in funding outside of tithes and offerings. They use these funds to run private schools and athletic programs, cover church capital expenses, and much more. Tony's success has become so well-known that he and his team published a book through Avail Publishing titled Provision for the Vision. They have helped numerous organizations secure serious provision for their vision.
At StartCHURCH, we have partnered with my brother’s new organization, 305 Unlimited, Inc., to help churches and ministries expand their vision. Below is a summary of what each side does in this cooperative partnership and how it can be of benefit to your church or ministry.
What StartCHURCH Does:
- Start a Church Subsidiary LLC: The first step in expanding is to establish a Subsidiary LLC that is owned and controlled by the church. It gets its own Tax ID number, but it automatically receives 501(c)(3) status because it is a subsidiary of the church. This new organization will be the one to receive funding. This is the first crucial step you must take before you apply for any funding. Call us at 770-638-3444, and let’s get started.
One example you will find in the above-mentioned book is Pastor Johns of Lake City, FL. We helped him secure his Subsidiary LLC for the school. Then, my brother’s organization walked them through the process of applying for and securing funding with the Florida Department of Education until they got approved. They opened their school, fully funded, with 95 students. - Fix Your 501(c)(3): Many churches and ministries have 501(c)(3) status, but often these need serious revision to be grant-ready. Income tax regulations require informing the IRS of any changes to your ministry. Our GetRIGHT Program examines your 501(c)(3) status to make sure your organization is appropriately classified and in good standing with the IRS. It also updates the incorporation paperwork and revises your bylaws. Once all updates are made, your organization’s new set of organizing documents will include the necessary provisions and language for starting subsidiary organizations.
What My Brother’s Organization Does:
- Get Grant Ready: Tony’s team provides consultations to prepare your newly established organization for grants. They help identify how to meet community needs effectively with available funding.
- Full Grant Request: Whether you’re looking to fund a private school, culinary institute, or after-school programs, their expertise in faith-based and community-driven projects will help match you with appropriate funding opportunities and applications.
Don’t Forget What Your True Challenge Will Always Be
Remember, your challenge isn’t about vision; it’s about pro-vision. With perseverance, preparation, and the right resources, you can overcome the summer slump and continue to thrive.
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