STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER
“CONSECRATION CELEBRATION IS COMING”
Congregations that approach financial
stewardship from a biblical perspective do not
view the money Christians give to their church
merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such
congregations see financial contributions as a
way to help people grow spiritually in their
relationship with God by supporting their
church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their
incomes.
Our congregation’s Board of Stewardship has selected
the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to
teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in
our stewardship education emphasis this year.
New Consecration Sunday, which will be on October 23
& 24, 2010, is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of
the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development,
rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of
treating people like members of a social club who should pay
dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who
want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New
Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate
and systematic giving in response to the question, ?What
percentage of my income is God calling me to give?? During
Saturday evening worship or Sunday morning worship at
Consecration Celebration, we are asking our attendees and
members to make their financial commitments to our church’s
missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this
community and around the world.
Every attendee and members who completes an
Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending either
the Saturday evening worship or Sunday morning worship on
Consecration Celebration. We urge people to attend who feel
strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done
in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he
or she chooses not to fill out a card.
We will do no home solicitation to ask people to
complete cards. During the Saturday evening worship or Sunday
morning worship our guest leader will conduct a brief period of
instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their
commitments as a confidential act of worship.
We will encourage participation in Consecration
Celebration events through the Consecration Celebration team
and Board of Stewardship members. Since we will make no
follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will
make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to
attend Consecration Sunday worship. Thanks in advance for
your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Celebration
events.
Consecration Chairman, Glen Rolf, Sr.
