Stewardship in 2016

“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures” (James 1:17-18).

Dear members and friends of Christ Church,

Over the past year we have experienced much blessing as a congregation. In the winter and spring of 2015 we had tremendous opportunities for growth in discipleship, including a day on healing our image of God with Joe Johnson, several sessions with Jamie Smith on worship, discipleship, and evangelism, and a day with Wesley Hill to wrestle through the complicated issues of Christian faithfulness and human sexuality. We also formed an exciting mission partnership with Lemonade International, and gave over 10% of our operating income to ministries focused on outreach and evangelism. Finally, we celebrated the consecration of a new bishop and have been able to help gather and grow the Arizona deanery.

As we think and pray about our life together in 2016, there are several pressing items as we continue to grow and develop as a congregation. First, we need to develop a very clear system of incorporation and assimilation of new members, with special focus on opportunities to serve in our various ministries. Second, I plan to continue to have opportunities for engaged and married couples to strengthen their relationships. Finally, I hope to work with the vestry to develop a three to five year strategic plan focused on our mission “to be a blessing in our city.”

Going forward, please begin to pray about how God might be leading you to participate in the life and ministry of Christ Church. In addition to regular worship, we have many opportunities for growth and service: Bible studies, small groups, volunteer ministries on Sunday mornings or during the week, and groups that meet for various outreach opportunities.

Finally, please pray specifically about your level of financial giving. We have several very helpful resources on biblical stewardship that I’d like everyone to have. Our first bishop, John Guernsey, has been teaching on stewardship for the past 20 years and is incredibly gifted. A CD that contains a powerful teaching from Bp. John will be included with pledge cards beginning this Sunday. There is also a link to the teaching on our website. Also on our website you’ll find links to Bp. John’s “Biblical Stewardship Principles” and a statement from our vestry on the importance of biblical stewardship.

Please take time to listen and read. I believe that as we do, we will become more and more aware of God’s goodness and love, and experience the freedom to give, as St. Paul exhorted the Corinthians:

“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” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

Please take time over the next couple of weeks to think and pray about how God might be calling you to participate in the life and ministry of Christ Church in 2016. Please pick up your 2016 pledge card this Sunday, fill it out, and place it in the offering plate on November 15, which will be “Commitment Sunday” for us. God has been good to us at Christ Church, and as we continue to commit ourselves to him with grateful hearts, I believe that we will see even “greater things than these” (John 14:12).

Peace,

Chris