It seems like everywhere you turn, people are asking for more. More money for political campaigns. More money for non-profits. More for this. More for that. More. More. More. It can get tiring.
So the last thing you want is to come to church and be asked for more. It’s still our season of inviting financial pledges for the coming year. Our stewardship theme this year is “Giving as One and Growing as One.” The second part of that statement has both a communal and an individual aspect. We are growing as one community in so many ways. We are also growing as individuals, maturing in the life of faith together. Part of that maturation is growing in our ability to give of our love to God and to one another.
Our monetary gifts to the church and our use of those gifts in ministry are a signs of our love. In my last blog post, I talked about why I’d like the church budget to grow: so that we can address some staffing needs (a part-time priest and a part-time youth minister), take care of our historic campus, and continue to support our growing programs. That will mean increases in giving. But instead of saying, “we need more,” I’d like to say, “We celebrate more.” We’ll make do with whatever we receive. God will provide as much as we need. My hope is that people will increase their pledges not just because we would like to grow in our ability to do ministry well together. I hope people will consider an increase as a sign of their own growing love for God and neighbor. Growing your offering is a way of acknowledging the growth that is happening with you and within us as a larger body.
So we’re not asking for more. We’re simply inviting you to celebrate the “more” that is happening in you and in us. And know that if you decide to give the same or less, it’s still a wonderful offering. We appreciate and God appreciates all our gifts. Thanks.
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