Dear Fellow members of Christ the King Lutheran Church,
Last year, our congregation initiated the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving. This year we will celebrate Consecration Sunday on Christ the King Church Festival Weekend, November 17 and 18. We will welcome Bishop Michael Rinehart as guest preacher.
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 social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship.
The first year results were excellent: Pledged giving units more than doubled from the previous year and total pledges were over $900,000.
Congregations that 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 to God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
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 both services on Consecration Sunday, November 18, and at the Taize service on November 17, we are asking our members and all who worship with us to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent and educational ministries in this community and around the world.
Everyone in attendance who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people who feel strongly opposed to completing a card to attend as well; the procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.
We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. Worship will include a brief period of instruction and inspiration; members then are invited to make their commitments as a confidential act of worship.
We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and Church Council members. 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 Consecration Sunday worship.
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation.
Bill Mintz
President, Church Council