Dear First Pres.,
I am pleased to share with you that we will conduct our annual Stewardship Campaign during the month of October, culminating with Consecration Sunday on Sunday, October 27.
Congregations which approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s ministry and mission with a percentage of their incomes.
Our congregations’ Finance and Stewardship Committee has once again selected the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.
Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”
During worship on Consecration Sunday, we will ask members and friends to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent and educational ministries in this community and around the world.
Each member and friend who completes an Estimate of Giving Card on Consecration Sunday will do so voluntarily. At the conclusion of our service, our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members and friends making their commitment as a confidential act of worship.
We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events with the help of the Consecration Sunday Team and church officers. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire and commit everyone to attend worship on Consecration Sunday.
Thank you in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our Consecration Sunday events!
Grace and peace,
Bruce
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