There are many differences serving in a large church versus a small church. Staff, workers, space are a few. One of the major differences is budget. A smaller church does not always have the same resources that the larger church does so it makes the local Pastor become more careful over dollars and the budget.
I was lamenting the fact that our "Harvest Feast" was taking place, celebrating with the kids and their parents that we would be offering a Christian alternative to the practices of the world but combing through the numbers to find the money to fund the activity.
As I was going through the planned activities of Hayrides, pumpkin patch mazes and rides, bowling and food on Saturday and skating, games and food on Monday, I realized I am close to the $500.00 range. I realize that is not a lot of money for most ministries but this is more than I had intended to spend per the budget.
As I was pairing down the wish lists of the youth workers to fit back within the numbers, I ran across this illustration from Preaching Today on Halloween and what Americans spends celebrating.
The National Retail Federation estimates that Americans will spend the following for Halloween in 2011:
Total Halloween expenses—$6.9 billion (that's more than twice the amount Americans spent for Halloween in 2005)
Largest Halloween expense—$2.5 billion for costumes
Amount spent on candy—$2 billion
The research also shows that Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. In 2011 nearly 70 percent of adults plan to hold their own celebrations for Halloween.
Martha C. White, "Now That's Creepy: Americans Will Blow $7 Billion on Halloween," (9-29-11)
After reading this, I put my pen down, lifted my hands and thanked God that we had the resources to fund this activity and pray that we can make a difference in our section of the world, our parcel of ground to the glory of God and the betterment of our young people.
Owens
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