Arquivos Faith and Work - OTPB - Ordem dos Teólogos e Pastores do Brasil

mar272020 by @prflavionunesNo Comments

Fundraising in a Financial Crisis

ATUALIDADES

Fundraising wasn’t a problem when my wife and I prepared for the mission field in 2005. We were sent out by three generous churches, family and friends rallied around us, and, along the way, I met a professional baseball player who chased me down the aisle to hand me a $50,000 check. People were amazed that this young couple with two boys younger than 2 years old (one just born) was moving to Africa. I would confidently—on further reflection, pridefully—tell people God was going to fund our work because we were being obedient to his calling. I also learned during seminary a thing or two about raising money. To supplement my income as a youth pastor, I sold cell phones out of my computer bag (back when flip phones were the latest technology!). Fundraising and sales, of course, empl...

Help! Now I’m Financially Stressed

ATUALIDADES

About a year ago, my husband started a retail business. Like most new ventures, it involved the discomfort of uncertainty, financial strain, and long hours at work. But slowly and steady, it stabilized and grew. Then the coronavirus hit. Initially, sales slowed. Then they plummeted. And when the stock market crashed, the majority of orders purchased in the previous month were returned. Now, the future of the business—and consequently, our finances—looks bleak. This global pandemic has hit many of us financially. It’s affected hourly employees whose workplaces have closed. Parents who can’t go to work because their kids are no longer in school. Those who’ve lost jobs due to rapid downsizing. And it’s affected those like us, owners of small businesses, who just weren’t ready to weat...

A Prayer for Working from Home

ATUALIDADES

Almighty God, Giver of Work and Rest, I awake, and I am with you.My commute is a trudge from bed to desk,a stepping over toys and garments,feet that feel like miles.Ready my body to face unfamiliar tasks in this familiar place. My eyes are prone to wander alone.My ears are prone to hear my flesh over your Spirit.My lips are prone to curse and lash.My fingers and back are prone to cramp and complain.My nose is prone to forget that every breath comes from you. Let my eyes keep watch with you with care.Let my ears hear the birds raise their carols to you.Let my lips be patient on conference calls and voicemails.Let my fingers and back find relaxation under tension.Let my nose relish the home-brewed tea and remember. O omnipotent and omnipresent Carpenter,you who fashioned the lumber of th...