October 2016
Restoring Hope in the God of Second Chances!
Embrace Generosity What does “church” mean to you? (choose one) It means everything! It makes me a better person! It is here that I become the person God created me to be, hopeful, patient and kind. It is here that my hunger for inspiration and my thirst for acceptance are satisfied. It forgives my many faults and yet challenges me to rise above them. It invites me to become a more courageous person by learning to serve with my talents rather than hiding from my fears. I can’t imagine life without it. It means something. I’m already so over-whelmed the church often feels like another activity on my to-do list. I’m cautious about getting too involved and overly committed to anything. Of course I check in from time to time when I’m not tired, when there’s not much else to do or if there’s a special occasion when I can see everyone. I admire what it has done in the lives of others, but it doesn’t really impact in my life. I don’t understand most of what the church does beyond Sunday morning, but I’m really too busy, or too scared, to find out. It means nothing! I avoid church religiously. Church is all about outdated ideas, archaic rituals and meaningless sacrifice. I like to know I’m in control and can’t figure out why anyone would need Jesus. After a long week of making money, keeping house and climbing ladders, I need a day just for me. After all, I’m basically a good person and try to get along with others. What more is there? “Church” produces strong reactions from people. Some good, some not so good. Most people will answer this question not with words but through their actions and attitudes. So the question really is not what does it mean to you, but what are you doing about it? Jesus once challenged his followers to discover where their heart is by looking at what they do with their treasure. “Where your treasure is, you heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) This month we will focus on stewardship, and take an honest, no-holds-bar look at where our heart is. Our goal is to challenge the faithful, the half-hearted and the indifferent to seriously consider their relationship to the church, it’s mission and ministries. It is not your intentions, but your actions, that determine your destination. Blessings,