To tell you the truth, I would be overjoyed to be all the way up to flat right now.

Very Interesting.
I actually was living in Vegas when the economy took a turn for the worst starting in Vegas first (I was working at the Crossing).

I think you are on to something, it seems to be that there is no calling up, that we have worked our way into saying that if you stay the course and do not change or grow you will be okay. Is that something that we want to be preaching?

flat is flat, and good is good. perhaps we misstep when we bind our understanding of what is good to other things, like our finances or circumstances. there is good in up, down, and flat. we only need the eyes to see it.

just sayin.

Interesting. We were just discussing and celebrating that our giving had stayed pretty much the same between 2008 and 2009 after reading that most churches were experiencing declines. It's still been hard for us though and we are working to avoid digging ourselves into a hole.

its crazy how the new economy and some of the things that have happened the last 24 months has reset all of our expectations. its definitely a new world today.

I was recently having a conversation with my grandfather about the great depression. He told me stories of how his parents would leave food on the table and the door open. People would come through in the night and eat what they needed and go. He said this current downturn is different. He said you need money to get through this episode. Provisions change but the message will be the same. We are so small and when we think what we have makes us big we are all in for a rude awakening. I and I hope others are looking up more now. The challenge will be to not flatten out when the good times come.

I totally agree Jud! The town that I live and pastor in has been in a depressed economy since we moved here 8 years ago. Our town has shrunk by over 20% during this time (went from 4500 to 3500). If I just based our growth on numbers it wouldn't look good but when I look at the fact that we have grown (a little) in the 8 years that we have been here even though the town has dramatically shrunk it gives me a very different perspective.

We went from a dual income family in 2008 to a single income family in 2009. Everything changed. Now, we've tapped our savings to stay afloat and plan for the future. If flat equals the income of 2008, than I'm all in. If flat means the same, I'm going to trust my provider to do the exceedingly, abundantly above all I can ask, think, dream, or imagine.

Regardless, perspective is everything… and that, my friend, is where you're spot on. What we once thought was normal in now a luxury. What we once thought convenience, we now perceive as fiscal irresponsibility. We haven't become cheap. We've become more responsible with our expenditures. Furthermore, giving became a greater expression of our trust and faith. Neither of which, our giving or trust, is going to stop.

Gabe, maybe what we need is not “more” is not always more…. good point.

Sorry… maybe what we need to say is “more is not always more”…. good point

Sometimes flat can definitely be good. ie. Me in the kitchen. If I make a bowl of cereal without it being a complete food disaster, I'm good.

Great comments everyone. We are definitely walking in challenging times, but God teaches us many things in times like these. Thinking of you that are without jobs and praying for you.

I am wondering if these “flat times” might lead to more ingenuity – “How do we grow and have an impact with out spending unnecessary money?”

I think MercyMe sums it up good in their song – 'Goodbye Ordinary' –

keeping those thoughts in mind, you should never focus on what tomorrow 'might be' – thake God as the guide in our life that He is. Never Settle. Break free & strive for beyond flat – If your Church, business, or makes a difference in just one more person – one person giving their life to Christ, one more person realizing just what a true Christian life is…then it is NOT a flat time…

(LYRICS)
I wonder when we first bought into this
so satisfied with status-quo
have we convinced ourselves that this is all there is
well all that is within me says we were meant to break free.

live like there's no tomorrow
love extravagantly
lead a life to be followed
goodbye ordinary
goodbye ordinary

We were never meant to compromise
settle for mediocrity
this life was never made to be a waste of time
well all that is within me
says no more just existing.

live like there's no tomorrow
love extravagantly
lead a life to be followed
goodbye ordinary
goodbye ordinary

No more complacency
no more just settling this time
goodbye to atrophy
for we were meant to be alive.

…and to give a little background – I owned a design firm for the last 6 years, went from living high on the dollar & low in Spirit to living low on the dollar and high on Christ in less than 18 months.

In 2008, our business went completely flat, due to the collapse of the economy and construction industry calls for design. Our income went from stable to asking for help from friends & family just to put food on the table.

God brought them to us, and us to our family in Christ. Because of this, the last two years have been nothing but better and better (still economically flat or negative – but that's just money…) Hope is my light, hope in Christ – because I know God has a BIG plan for me…

If you trust in a 'flat year' – then you have lost sight of hope – ALWAYS live to make a difference.

Hope and Faith…in a God of Second Chances…

after all, if we are to be leaders showing Second Chance hope in God through following Christ – we have to be faithful in his plan. He is our guide.

The church was never intended to be treated as a business – if you're “making Jesus popular” in order to make enough money to keep the doors open, you're preaching the wrong message! Truth has never been popular, and history has shown that the churches that preach popular messages that cater to people's sense of comfort instead of what God wants for them have never survived.

So, I'd say that, if you're having a “flat year”, you're not doing bad at all … but remember, the truth of God has never been popular with people.

So true…just look at Paul…