From the General Presbyter

“God does not want generosity from us; God wants generosity for us.”

I heard that from one of the speakers from the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference held a couple of weeks ago in Baltimore. Can you imagine God wanting generosity for us? How does that change the lens through which you view giving to the church (and the presbytery for that matter!)?

Let me speak about both. Giving to your local congregation pays bills, pays the staff and keeps the building in decent shape. It also supports your local community and mission endeavors. It also provides a place or opportunity for fellowship and gathering. Post-COVID, people are literally starving for relationships, connection and meaning. Just look at all the available apps on your phone that invite you “in” to this group or that group. Or how many of you are already involved in an “online community”? People need people, even if people are sometimes annoying! What better way to host folks than a congregation, building or not! Still, it takes funds. That’s where you come in!

On the Presbytery side, we have “heard the cry of our people,” as they say in the Bible, of shrinking resources, fewer volunteers, and deferred maintenance finally catching up to churches. And yet, you all are contributing to Per Capita and Shared Ministry, and we thank you!! You probably know that Shared Ministry provides the funds for the Ministry Groups, which many churches have benefited from in one way or the other. It also funds the ministry initiatives of the Commission on Thriving Leaders and Churches, like our newly revived youth ministries, congregational assessments and scholarships to attend events. It also supports our partnerships and anti-racism efforts. It helps us help you!

Like the Lord, we want generosity for you and your congregations! What God wants for us, we can want for each other. Check out the new Stewardship Resources on our website and “keep those cards and letters (and generous funds) coming!”