Pastor’s Pen: Practicing Generosity [ November 8 ] IMAGINE IF CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION
[ November 26 ] COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
[ November 29] CHRISMON DONATIONS
Someone once asked why our nation has to set aside a day in November for giving thanks. Shouldn't we be thankful all the time? Yes, we should. But we aren't. The habit of gratitude has to be practiced. Growing our "thankful muscle" keeps us open to God's goodness and prevents us from veering off into self-pity, negativity and complaining. As November arrives, I'm thankful for many things. On behalf of our staff, I want to thank you for honoring us during Pastor Appreciation Month. Your thoughtful notes and generous gifts are blessings to each of us. What a privilege to serve here, with you! My "gratitude attitude" continues as I think about your faithful stewardship and sacrificial giving all through 2015. This generosity makes possible ministries far and wide (and deep). During November, we each will have the opportunity to think about our financial commitment for 2016. We will discuss our proposed 2016 church budget and take part in a catch-up offering, to help us reach our 2015 giving target. I'll be preaching a sermon series Nov. 8-22 entitled SOWING GRATITUDE, HARVESTING BLESSINGS. When my family was farming in North Missouri, we would buy seed corn in the spring. We never really considered that purchase an expense; we saw it as an investment in the future. Our church budget is not about expenses; it's about investments. At a workshop I recently attended, I heard a consultant share three ways in which large, older, downtown churches are experiencing turnaround and revitalization: vibrant worship, radical hospitality and extreme commitment to preschool, children and youth ministry. By those measures, we are on our way. But we are not "there" yet. We must continue to invest in those initiatives--and many others--in order to have a harvest of lives for God's Kingdom. Grace,