Daily Herald – Despite the uncertain economy, an annual Willow Creek Community Church fundraising campaign benefiting starving African children managed to bring in $1.3 million more this year than in 2008. Officials from the South Barrington church said they’ve raised $2 million for the Feed My Starving Children, a Minnesota-based charity which provides meals and sends them to countries including Sudan and Zimbabwe. Last year the same campaign raised around $700,000. Patrick’s 2 cents – what recession? $1.3 million more over two days. I’ve heard over and over again similar stories of churches focusing externally and raising more money.
Touching story of generosity from a small church in D.C. Sometimes small acts of kindess to those poorest in society speak loudest. The church is also helping the couple get on their feet once they get back from their two day honeymoon. http://tinyurl.com/homelesswed
I thought this quote by John Calvin from a CT article was excellent and relevant to our day.
“Nothing will more effectively preserve us in a straight and undeviating course in this economy than a firm persuasion that all events are in the hand of God, and that he is as merciful as he is mighty. This should lead us to gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and a wonderful security respecting the future. Prone to blame God in adversity and praise ourselves in prosperity, we murmur against God if he does not grant us quiet nests. We imagine that adversity can only come from Satan—as if he were a second god—and thereby fail to recognize that nothing that happens, even when intended by Satan for evil, isn’t turned by God to the wider purpose of our salvation. Nothing can thwart God’s gracious purposes toward us in Christ. Paul does not say that all things are good, but he does say that God works all things together for good for his people (Rom. 8:28).”
Great 2 minute by Mark Driscoll on generous tipping by his church members. My wife taught me how to tip generously and I think it has been one of the greatest examples for my kids. I love to give $50 or $100 every so often on a $30 meal…..it feels so good!
New Creation Church in Singapore raised a whopping $19 million for the construction of its new church in less than 24 hours. In a show of support, a record number of 22,000 people turned up for services at the Rock Auditorium at Suntec City Mall three weeks ago. Patrick’s 2 cents – If this is true, sort of makes a 3 year capital campaign seem weak. The article makes it sound like almost all of the 22,000 people in attendance gave which would mean the average gift was around $850. I know of one church, Antioch Community Church, in Waco who follows the same model. They avoid debt and tell everybody to give as much as they can and use cash to buy and build new facilities. Thanks to my friend Ben Stroup at Do More Ministry for the heads up on this.
Do you want to know where Andy’s heart is? Don’t look at how many passages he’s underlined in the Bible or how he leads a successful church. Rather look at Andy’s checkbook, his Visa statement or Quicken. That’s how God measures it according to Matthew 6: 21. This is the first talk from Balanced, a recent 6 week series at Northpoint.
“Christian History has an interesting little article exploring the recent history of the church offering in church services. The article covers government-supported churches (that’s right, here in the U.S. of A. until 1833) and explains how the weekly passing of the collection plate during worship services didn’t become common practice until 1900. It’s a little bewildering to me that a staple of the modern church service is such a recent addition. But it’s also freeing, considering how that staple so often trips people up and prompts finger-wagging over churches only wanting your money.” Patrick’s 2 cents – fascinating article that makes me consider the cultural context of church offerings and the motivations for taking them.
From the blog of Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor of Granger Community Church.
When Faith and I first were married, we spent a lot of time talking about goals for our life together. One of our seemingly outlandish goals was to give $1 million to the church. “Wouldn’t that be cool?” we said. Now…get the picture: Together we were making $17,000 a year. We had one car that had been given to us. We had purchased a bed (pretty important for a new married couple), and had been given a couch and couple of chairs. That’s all we owned. We lived in a small apartment and paid $250 a month for rent. Oh, and we had $20,000 in college debt.
Granger is the same church that gave away over 7 semis during a recent food drop. I think Andy Stanley was right – the culture of giving in your church will reflect the personal giving of those who lead it.
I heard that Saddleback was going to use this video before their next offering! My favorite quote is when he introduces the song, “A lot of times people won’t give a plug nickle to the church but they will spend $20, $50 or $100 bucks to go to a rock concert or ballgame.” I encourage all readers of this blog to quit giving your plug nickles to the church & avoid the rock concerts and ballgames. I dare you to watch this video all the way through…..go ahead I dare you.
As one Indianapolis church began seeking pledges to the annual stewardship campaign last week, church leaders offered an unusual assurance to members: Lose your job during the course of the year and the church would refund the contributions you’ve already made. That’s right — any cash you give up until the time you lose your job would come back to you if you get the ax. Patrick’s 2 cents – So is this giving or unemployment insurance for church members? Does this cultivate faith in the giver? I really don’t like this. Thanks to Do More Ministry blog for this tip.
