With many businesses grinding to a halt and millions of people being laid off churches are scrambling to cut costs.  However, some expenses actually generate revenue and cutting these expenses will make a bad situation even worse.  Here are five expenses you should NOT cut during the COVID-19 crisis:

1. Online Business Services

Where it’s your online giving service, paid Zoom account, or live streaming service, these are now the financial lifeblood of your church.  Cutting these would be suicide.  In fact, if you don’t already have some of these services investing in them would be very wise.

What to cut instead?

Any kind of service or subscription-based on physical media.  Whether it be workbooks, handouts, or any other physical content, most of it simply can’t be used now.

2. Online Tech Equipment

Planning to get a new microphone or camera for streaming online?  You should probably make that investment.  People will put up with last-minute emergency online production values and scratchy audio in the short run, but when days turn into weeks your current online production values may no longer hold your people’s attention.  Treat your online tech just as seriously as you treated the sound and lights in your church sanctuary.

What to cut instead?

Any investment in auditorium production tech should probably be put on hold.  Think twice about spending money on equipment that no one is going to use for the next few months.

3. Online Advertising

If you thought people spent a lot of time on social media before the COVID-19 crisis you should look at things now!  And spiritually speaking, people are now more open to the Gospel than ever.  If you want to be fishers of men, there’s no time like the present to get busy.  Advertising on Facebook is probably the most cost-effective outreach you can do.  When done well, this is so effective that if you’re *not* spending money on online advertising, now is the time to start!    

What to cut instead?

Any kind of outreach that is designed to gather people somewhere physically. For the first time in any of our lives gathering a crowd is the last thing we want to do. 

4. Web Site Development

For years we’ve said that your website is the front door of your church, well now because of COVID-19 it’s a lot more than just your door!  Statistically speaking, your current website probably isn’t that great in either: looks, functional design, online content, online giving, and mobile phone functionality.  Now is the time to invest in your website, not cut back.  So much of your ability to grow and make an impact on your community depends on having a current and frequently updated website.

What to cut instead?

Investment in your facilities. What was once your most functional asset is now a white elephant.  As a general rule, you should mothball your buildings and wait for this to pass before you spend much money on them.  However, if your church has a well funded operating reserve fund, then now might be the time to gamble and invest in renovations – at least the reno’s won’t disrupt any ministry.

5. Small Group Ministry

The number one thing people need right now is not content, but community.  Right now, your small group ministry is the most important ministry you have.  People passively watching online services might be adequate for a couple of weeks, but you’re going to permanently lose many of your sheep if you can’t gather them into community.  If you already have a healthy small group ministry – transitioning them to an online format is a must.  If you don’t have a decent small group ministry, now is the time to move all heaven and earth to create one.

What to cut instead?

Worship.  I don’t care how awesome your smoke and laser show might be in person, but it’s never going to be that impressive watching on my laptop.  Should you have decent singing during this time?  Sure, but it’s far less important than it was back in February.

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