Support and Our Growth

As I listen to Nation Public Radio and community radio in the last few weeks, I am reminded that it is again pledge time.  I cannot seem to get away from it, whichever station I am listening to.  But that is okay, because I know that I appreciate the programing that I tune in to, and I want to help support those stations, so that they can continue to do what they do, for me and for others in my community.  The things that I value I want to support with my gifts.

It is that time in your congregation as well.  Hopefully, members and friends of Saint John Lutheran Church are no longer surprised when we do an annual Congregational Support Promotion.   For a number of years now we have been very intentional about reaching out to you to encourage your support for what you value, the ministries of Saint John Lutheran Church.

But, we have more than just a consumer’s perspective about congregational giving.  We do not merely support things so that they continue.  We give because we know from the Scriptures that giving is a spiritual matter.  To stretch ourselves requires that we trust more.  We grow in faith as we grow in giving.  We want to increase our faith. you to return that information.  We will wrap up our Congregational Support Promotion before December.

When you receive information about the Estimate of Giving to the General Fund for 2016, please pray with those involved, and consider how your support of your congregation might be a spiritual exercise, a means to grow your faith.  Thank you in advance for your generosity, and may God bless you in this season of harvest.

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.  As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;  for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.  (2 Cor. 9:7-12, NRSV)