It was March 2020, and everything seemed perfectly normal — until it wasn’t.

Within just a few days, the rhythm of ministry life completely changed. The governor’s announcement came down: California was shutting down. Services moved online. Students went home. Offerings became uncertain. The quiet question on every leader’s mind was the same: How long can we keep this going?

That week, I sat in a meeting where someone started coughing. It was the first week of COVID, and suddenly the headlines felt personal. “Fifteen days to slow the spread” became months of disruption. What we thought would pass quickly stretched into three long years of adjustments and lessons we didn’t know we needed.

And yet — through it all — God remained faithful.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that faithful stewardship shines brightest when the unexpected hits.

Joseph’s Blueprint for Crisis Management

When I think of biblical resilience, I think of Joseph.

Genesis 41 finds him in a dark place — imprisoned, forgotten, and falsely accused. But it’s precisely in this season of waiting that God was preparing him to lead through crisis.

Pharaoh’s dream of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine must have seemed terrifying. Yet Joseph didn’t panic. He planned. He built systems. He stored grain. And when famine came, Egypt had bread.

“Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt;
and there shall arise after them seven years of famine.”
— Genesis 41:29–30

Joseph’s story reminds us that God often uses quiet, unseen seasons to prepare us for public responsibility. Preparation in peace positions us for strength in crisis.

When the Unexpected Hits

Every church faces moments that test its financial faith.

Some come without warning — a fire, a flood, a car accident, a staff illness. Others sneak up over time — rising utility costs, donor transitions, or the slow erosion of giving habits.

Then there are global events — recessions, pandemics, wars — that ripple through every congregation.

The lesson is simple but sobering: the unexpected is inevitable. What matters most is how we prepare before it comes.

Four Biblical Anchors for Financial Resilience

1. Stewardship, Not Scarcity

Everything in our church belongs to God. We’re not owners; we’re stewards. That mindset changes how we lead — with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Stewardship focuses on what honors God, not what protects us from fear.

2. Preparation and Wisdom, Not Panic

Proverbs tells us to “consider the ant.” The ant works in summer for what’s coming in winter. Churches must do the same — build systems, save wisely, and plan with foresight. Wisdom is proactive, not reactive.

3. Contentment and Margin

Paul wrote, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)
Contentment isn’t passivity — it’s discipline. Financial margin only exists when we consistently spend less than we bring in. Margin is not luxury; it’s oxygen for ministry.

4. Faith in God’s Provision

Jesus said, “Take no thought for your life… your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matt. 6:25–33)
Wise planning and bold faith are not opposites — they’re partners. A healthy church budget should be both responsible and faith-filled.

Lessons from the Front Lines

At Lancaster Baptist Church, we’ve faced our share of unexpected moments — from insurance premiums doubling overnight to power costs climbing higher than ever.

Over time, our response has become simpler and stronger:

• We budget annually, carefully, and prayerfully.
• We keep reserves. Our goal is 60–90 days of operating expenses.
• We improve reporting. Clear data leads to wise decisions.
• We embrace technology. Online giving and automation strengthen consistency.
• We plan contingencies. Knowing what to cut (and when) prevents panic later.
• We stay insured, but we self-insure the small stuff. Wisdom balances both.

These steps may sound practical — and they are — but they’re also deeply spiritual. Each one reflects a belief that God deserves excellence in how we handle His resources.

The Long View

Joseph’s perspective in Genesis 50:20 captures the heart of resilience:

“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good… to save much people alive.”

That’s the long view of leadership — trusting that God is weaving every challenge into a greater purpose.

COVID-19 didn’t surprise Him. Neither will the next financial storm. What matters is that we’re ready — spiritually, strategically, and faithfully — to keep doing His work when it comes.

Let’s lead with stewardship, prepare with wisdom, live with contentment, and act with faith. Because when the unexpected hits, the church that’s prepared doesn’t just survive — it shines.

This article was adapted from the session “When the Unexpected Hits: Biblical Principles for Financial Resilience in Ministry,” originally recorded at the Spiritual Leadership Conference 2025 in Lancaster, California. To listen to the full session or download the session notes, click here to access the complete recording and resources