If we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit that many Christians think of stewardship primarily in terms of an annual appeal for financial resources to fund the ministries of their home congregation. But congregations which approach stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay the bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God.
What’s spiritual about giving money to the church?
Stewardship is an indispensable part of being a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a faith-based lifestyle which recognizes God’s ownership of all things – including our time, abilities and financial resources. As the Psalmist says, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it…” (Psalm 24:1). By supporting East Hills Moravian Church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their income and time, persons share in Christ’s ongoing work of spreading a gospel of faith, love and hope.
This year EHMC’s Joint Board has again selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we trust that worshippers are followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages us all to progress toward the goal of proportionate and systematic giving. Faith is brought to completion through those actions which tangibly express our faith (James 2).
On Consecration Sunday, we will invite worshippers to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world by completing an Estimate of Giving Card as a confidential expression of faith. The procedure will be done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.
We urge people to attend; including those who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards.
Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and secure a commit from everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship, to come to our celebration fellowship brunch, and to prayerfully consider their response to God’s presence in their lives.
- Pastor Derek French