Resolution Blitz

It's hard to believe we are moving into the final quarter of 2009. What better opportunity to begin our New Year's Resolutions than now - for 2009. I remember the good intentions at the beginning of the year that were shoved to the back along with last week's meatloaf. But why not make a go of it? I know there might not be time to lose 200 pounds in 12 weeks, but what about matters of faith:

• The intention to invite the unchurched neighbor over to get to know them a little better;
• purchasing the new outfit for the teen because the struggling single parent can't keep up with the growth spurt;
• establishing a routine reading the Bible;
• setting up time to pray with your kids each night or before they head out the door;
• getting back in the swing of attending church as a family and then being intentional about applying what you have learned;
• finding out whose going on a mission trip and see if you can go or help them go.
• begin saving to help a family at Thanksgiving or Christmas

The list of resolutions could be lengthy, but let's review our lists, put them up around our house, and then go them. (It's good to go to church; but I'd rather BE the church.)

Happy New Year!

Digital Donations

"Does giving electronically still worship God?" This is a question that I have wrestled with for a number of years. For the last 10 years, I have been against the idea. In my mind I found it difficult to imagine people sitting at their computer screens singing "Shout to the Lord" while making on-line donations to their church.

However, in recent years the role of debit cards and other digital payments have roared to the front pew of society. Fewer people are carrying cash and even fewer people are carrying checks. For a majority of the 20-30 something generation, their financial world is entirely electronic. However, within the church giving is generally in two forms: cash or check. Is this shutting out a generation of desiring givers? Is the methodology preventing people from applying theology. Is it more godly to write a check than punch in a pin number?

I am unwaivering in several areas:

1. For the Christian, the local church is to be the place where finances are dispersed to collectively accomplish God's purposes.

2. Giving to God is to be from the "firstfruits" not from the leftovers (top-priority).

3. Giving is an expression of worship and not merely a religious exercise or check-box.

4. The base-line for giving is 10%, and the goal is sacrificial giving.

Above all, isn't the essence of giving to be a prioritized expression of worship that collectively accomplishes God's agenda through the local church to carry out where He is working throughout the world?

So help me out here -let's articulate worship-driven giving in a digital age.

Please share your thoughts.

bnall

Imitating Authenticity

If I had to choose, church life today would primarily be described as an individual sport verses a team sport. There is that gatherings in the locker room (Worship Service) and there is some time spent in the weight room (Sunday School); but then everyone goes there own way to accomplish God's plan for their individual life. I contend that there is great validity to the above scenerio - we need to be inspired together and trained together so the church can go forth and join God where He is working in our day in and day out life.

But I believe there is to be more!

I think that the church is to be more than a time of motivation. As Frances Chan said when comparing church to a college, "Church needs to function not as a lecture hall, but as a lab." In the lab setting, we don't only learn the knowledge, but we work together to figure it all out; a setting where Christians live authentically and genuially to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

I am excited that I have seen glimpses in this type of missional living over the last year or so at Ferris Hill. However, I look at the those coming in and I am concerned that we are not properly bringing them into the lab.

I remember my Anatomy and Physiology Lab in college where we had the privilege of disecting everything that didn't move. Fortunately, the Professor didn't just say, "start cutting," but rather directed us through the journey.

I have seen all too often that when a person begins to take their 1st steps in their Christian journey the church only communicates, "start trying ("cutting") and not "let's start training." For this to happen as Jesus modeled, we need people who will purposefully come alongside another and say as the Apostle Paul did, "Follow me a I follow Christ" or even, "Imitate me."

As I look over my Christian journey I often wander, "have I trained anyone or just encouraged people to try?"

What about you? Are you purposefully living for others to imitate your authenticity? Let's work on this together. Besides, the church is not about growing a great organization, but about building people.



BNall