From the Pastor....
Thoughts from your Pastor
Yes, folks, it is that time of year again and no, I’m not talking about hunting season! Rather I’m talking about the time to examine again all for which we are grateful, to acknowledge that everything we have is a gift…from God, and to prayerfully consider how we can give back to God a tithe for the work of God’s church. What is a tithe? A tithe is beginning at 10% and challenging oneself to go beyond. Now that may seem like a really difficult thing to do…10%? Wow! However one way that works for some folks is to make a commitment to add 10% to what one is already giving and continue each year to work toward that tithing goal.
Tithing is 10% of your time. What percentage of your week do you give over to the Lord and the work of God’s kingdom? “God’s work, our hands” is not just a nice phrase but it is one challenge each of us to be part of God’s kingdom on earth as one’s talents and gifts dictate. How are you spending your time?
Tithing is also talents, gifts that are particular to you as a child of God. Can you teach? How about teaching an adult class? Do you enjoy kids? We have a need for gathering youth together for events over the year. Is outdoor work your thing? We have an ongoing need for lawn care, trimming of bushes both at the church and at the parsonage. Being a good steward is also caring for the gifts that God has loaned to us. Are you able to use your particular gifts to care for God’s kingdom?
Tithing is, finally, giving 10% of your dollars. Kids, if your allowance is $1.00 a week, then you should be putting a dime in the offering plate. Parents…be good role models for your children and grandchildren. Giving up one dinner a month can make a tremendous difference for the finances of the church. Foregoing renting a movie or a pizza and talking about it and why you are doing it is a wonderful way to teach each other and others the meaning of stewardship of dollars.
I was reading the Faith Transformational Team mission statement and guiding principles that I assume you have all read and voted approval. I would like to remind you the final guiding principle 7: The World Needs Jesus! “Go therefore and make disciples of all notions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:18. To continue the quote from the guiding principle… We have a job to do and we have to it now. Our job is to tell people about Jesus and help them to get to know God. Our job is to care for those in need and heal the sick. Our job is to share with everyone the JOY that comes from following Jesus. Our job is to understand why we have been given the gifts we have and how we are to use them. Our job is to DARE to try the impossible and risk everything to be a part of what God is doing in this world.
(to continue the quote)
You see, the church does not exist to meet OUR needs. We talk about “my” church but this is not what God intended. We pay the bills. We do the work. But the church does not belong to us. In her book, Reclaiming the “L” Word, Kelly Fryer puts it this way:
“The church may be the only organization on the planet that exists entirely for the sake of those people who don’t belong to it yet5. In fact, as soon as we forget this and start making it all about ourselves, we stop being the church.”
We need to ask ourselves: Who are we here for? What is our mission in the community and the world? We need to be people who put the needs of others ahead of our own and only then will we really be the church. God gave us Jesus and Jesus set us free from everything that can harm us. It is our job to share that freedom with others. End Quote
The capitalizations of several words are mine but the thought and the words are from a process that took place several years ago. It was a prayerful and important process that has born fruit in the commitment to ministry on the part of a number of people in the congregation. Let’s continue in that some vein… how much can you give? Or rather… how will you show your gratitude to our Lord? 10% seems like so little when we step back and count our blessings! May your life be filled with joy of the spirit and the ongoing love of Jesus and of your Faith brothers and sisters!
In His love,
Pastor Kris
Yes, folks, it is that time of year again and no, I’m not talking about hunting season! Rather I’m talking about the time to examine again all for which we are grateful, to acknowledge that everything we have is a gift…from God, and to prayerfully consider how we can give back to God a tithe for the work of God’s church. What is a tithe? A tithe is beginning at 10% and challenging oneself to go beyond. Now that may seem like a really difficult thing to do…10%? Wow! However one way that works for some folks is to make a commitment to add 10% to what one is already giving and continue each year to work toward that tithing goal.
Tithing is 10% of your time. What percentage of your week do you give over to the Lord and the work of God’s kingdom? “God’s work, our hands” is not just a nice phrase but it is one challenge each of us to be part of God’s kingdom on earth as one’s talents and gifts dictate. How are you spending your time?
Tithing is also talents, gifts that are particular to you as a child of God. Can you teach? How about teaching an adult class? Do you enjoy kids? We have a need for gathering youth together for events over the year. Is outdoor work your thing? We have an ongoing need for lawn care, trimming of bushes both at the church and at the parsonage. Being a good steward is also caring for the gifts that God has loaned to us. Are you able to use your particular gifts to care for God’s kingdom?
Tithing is, finally, giving 10% of your dollars. Kids, if your allowance is $1.00 a week, then you should be putting a dime in the offering plate. Parents…be good role models for your children and grandchildren. Giving up one dinner a month can make a tremendous difference for the finances of the church. Foregoing renting a movie or a pizza and talking about it and why you are doing it is a wonderful way to teach each other and others the meaning of stewardship of dollars.
I was reading the Faith Transformational Team mission statement and guiding principles that I assume you have all read and voted approval. I would like to remind you the final guiding principle 7: The World Needs Jesus! “Go therefore and make disciples of all notions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:18. To continue the quote from the guiding principle… We have a job to do and we have to it now. Our job is to tell people about Jesus and help them to get to know God. Our job is to care for those in need and heal the sick. Our job is to share with everyone the JOY that comes from following Jesus. Our job is to understand why we have been given the gifts we have and how we are to use them. Our job is to DARE to try the impossible and risk everything to be a part of what God is doing in this world.
(to continue the quote)
You see, the church does not exist to meet OUR needs. We talk about “my” church but this is not what God intended. We pay the bills. We do the work. But the church does not belong to us. In her book, Reclaiming the “L” Word, Kelly Fryer puts it this way:
“The church may be the only organization on the planet that exists entirely for the sake of those people who don’t belong to it yet5. In fact, as soon as we forget this and start making it all about ourselves, we stop being the church.”
We need to ask ourselves: Who are we here for? What is our mission in the community and the world? We need to be people who put the needs of others ahead of our own and only then will we really be the church. God gave us Jesus and Jesus set us free from everything that can harm us. It is our job to share that freedom with others. End Quote
The capitalizations of several words are mine but the thought and the words are from a process that took place several years ago. It was a prayerful and important process that has born fruit in the commitment to ministry on the part of a number of people in the congregation. Let’s continue in that some vein… how much can you give? Or rather… how will you show your gratitude to our Lord? 10% seems like so little when we step back and count our blessings! May your life be filled with joy of the spirit and the ongoing love of Jesus and of your Faith brothers and sisters!
In His love,
Pastor Kris