Last month the finance committee gathered to discuss the state of the church. Just as the down turn of the economy has affected most people, the same is true of the church. The outlook was bleak and the mood somber. However, God is good and faithful all the time.
We read a recent letter from Rev. Dr. Bill Dobbs on the subject, and we quickly realized that we did not have a money challenge, we had a faith challenge. Dr. Dobbs, through his letter gave us courage, faith and hope, to completely trust God.
We decided to become not only tithing disciples of Christ, but that our church would begin tithing as well. Although we have always faithfully paid our ministry shares, Phyllis Brown, our treasurer, has struggled trying to creatively fund our ministry shares to the Conference and District. In becoming a tithing church, we will faithfully pay 10% of our income each month to support ministry shares.
When we say “yes” to God, we are also saying “yes” to some new-old radical ways of thinking. This year you may have noticed we are not using pledge cards. We are trusting every person and family to continue tithing as many of you have done in the past and encouraging those who have not tithed to grow toward a 10% tithe.
Tithing really is a way for us to respond to God’s loving faithfulness in our lives. Look at your income vs. your offering. Perhaps you have managed 2% or 5% in the past. Growing toward 10% can be difficult. If you managed to grow just 1% this year, that is success! Perhaps you can grow by a percentage point each year. We are not asking anyone to give until it hurts. We are asking you to give so that your joy may be full!
We will be a tithing church and we are encouraging everyone in our church to have that same faith and trust in God. There have been many difficult times throughout human history. God has always been faithful. I believe we can be trust God to be faithful today as well.
Oh, one more thing, through the joy of our last finance meeting we have also decided to develop a new stewardship and hospitality team. Many of you have already experienced the positive impact of hospitality in our church. Expect much more!
I cannot articulate to you sufficiently how thrilled I am to have been called by God to serve the people of the Breckenridge area . You are faithful disciples of God and your faith brings great joy into my heart. I also thank the finance team for giving me the honor of writing this article on their behalf.
Pastor Dale and your Finance Team
