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In This Issue:
NOVEMBER…...STEWARDSHIP
SEASON?
Many congregations have a stewardship
emphasis during the month of November, it is after all close
to the beginning of a new year. The church budget for the new
year must be supported and so often through some planned process
the topic of stewardship complete with pledges for the new year
are received.
As a pastor in Anderson, Indiana
(1993-2001) one of the best decisions I made was to hold an
in-depth Bible study on stewardship in the spring of the year.
It was completely separate from the annual pledge season that
was in November.
During the Bible study series
that emphasized the Biblical basis of tithing there was no mention
of increasing pledges to the budget of the church or the wider
mission. It was strictly a Bible study. To my surprise most
folks said they had never been involved in a serious Bible study
on stewardship and tithing. The response was greater than I
ever expected.
I believe folks appreciated
the fact that this was not directly related to the pledge process.
Ultimately, I believe they were more open to learning about
the use of their money when we were not dealing with meeting
a budget or with their personal financial commitments.
The most surprising thing to
me was the report from the Financial Secretary in the weeks
and months that followed. There was a noticeable increase in
giving! No new pledge commitments had been solicited, no new
pledge cards distributed but the impact of learning about the
Biblical concept of tithing and stewardship had a direct and
lasting impact.
The other factor that I believe
was positive was folks began to see that personal stewardship
was not about supporting the church budget and paying all those
bills. Biblical stewardship was and is a personal spiritual
discipline. Discovering this is what truly brings joy to giving.
Through efforts like this the
good folks of Anderson, Indiana balanced church budgets year
after year, paid for a new $2.2 million church building in 4
years, increased the church budget each year AND increased giving
to American Baptist missions each year.
Let us not short change our
folks. Let us share with them the Biblical lessons of stewardship,
but perhaps not when dealing with new budget considerations.
Arlo R. Reichter
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A GATHERING OF BAPTISTS
New Baptist Covenant Celebration
January 30 - Feb. 1, 2008
Atlanta, GA
"Prophetic, but not partisan
and focused on Jesus' reading of Isaiah as recorded in Luke
4:18-19
The gathering will include persons
from all major Baptist denominations in the U.S. and Canada.
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AMERICAN
BAPTIST BREAKFAST
FOLLOWING THE GATHERING OF BAPTISTS…
Saturday, February 2 there will be a free breakfast
for American Baptists at the
Atlanta Sheraton. Details are available on the New Covenant
Website
www.newbaptistcovenant.org
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NOVEMBER
PRAYER FOCUS:
Church:
Madison-True Worshippers
Pastor:
Pastor: Larry Jackson
Spouse: Katherine
Began 1/03
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LISTENING
With the gift of listening comes
the gift of healing.
-Catherine de Hueck
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FOCUS STATEMENT
American Baptist Churches
are
Healthy Missional Churches
that
Nurture Devoted Disciples
of Jesus Christ
who
Live their Lives
in
Mission and Ministry
for the
Healing of the World
through the
Love of God
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American
Baptist Churches
of Wisconsin
Centered in Christ
United in Mission
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