10-30-2005

Celebrating the freeing, supportive presence of God. So your experience of God may become your experience of life. It is wonderful what God can do!

"Reforming Our Gift Giving"

October 30, 2005

Good Morning!

   Martin Luther’s historic posting of the 95 Theses actually happened on October 31^st, but the church has historically chosen the Sunday closest to that date for its recognition and celebration. Today, therefore, is Reformation Sunday.

   Now some folks might ask, “Why is it that we celebrate an event which ultimately divided the church of Christ?” It was never Martin Luther’s intention to divide the church. Rather, Luther set out to encourage a dialogue on what he considered to be essential reform.

   The church had begun offering forgiveness for a price known as indulgences. Luther believed this was wrong since Jesus Christ had already paid the price with his death and resurrection. However, the leaders of the church did not want to stop collecting indulgences, so rather than talking about the issue, they turned the tables on Luther and began accusing him of speaking contrary to the established practices of the church.

   Luther desperately wanted the church to see the error of its ways. The Scripture was quite clear, but the church was developing a tradition of authority, which did not always coincide, with the oracles of Scripture.

   Ultimately, it was the church leaders that dismissed Luther from its ranks. Luther continued to sense the strong call of God even after the church had put him out. Others continued to urge Luther to offer Worship on his own for the growing numbers that agreed with the need to reform the church.

   So even though today we take church and faith denominations for granted, it was totally unknown to have salvation offered outside the church. The very thought that there could be “church” outside of the original established church was simply a heretical idea.

   Since Vatican Council II, the Roman Catholic Church has been recognizing United Methodist baptisms and continues in dialogue with us on other basic doctrines of faith. There may still be that occasional priest to be found who still believes us to be outside the workings of salvation, but for the most part, Christianity has become more spiritually unified within the last several years.

   All branches of the church must “always be open to reform and the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” as our Lutheran friends so readily point out. After all, reform is just another word for transformation, which is exactly what the good news of the gospel message is all about.

   God’s love, fully understood through the cross of Jesus Christ, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, has caused many lives to be transformed and reformed in each of many current and previous generations. As we understand the depths of God’s love for us, our minds and spirits long for the transformational power of spiritual renewal from God.

   Reform and transformation are essential not only in the life of an individual, but also within the life of a church congregation. It is not only easy for an individual to fall from grace, but also for a congregation to drop the ball.

   This is one of the reasons why churches seem to be adopting “Mission Statements” – so they can be regularly reminded of what God has called them to do, and how God has called them to do it. We must stay alert to that, which we should be doing, so as not to fall into that which falls short of the goal.

   Being open to reform is a little like taking responsibility for our motor vehicles. Being open to reform means we must occasionally check our oil or tune our engine. For there are times when our organization might be “running rough” or when it even begins to veer off the edge of the road. It may be necessary to check our steering or front-end alignment.

   When it comes to financing God’s work here at Perry UMC, it appears quite likely that at least two of our tires are not only veering off the side of the road, but are alternating between the pavement and the shoulder of the road. In other words, we give to the work of God’s kingdom so very well when it comes to the maintenance of our building and property that we could say we keep on the pavement very well.

   However, when it comes both to outreach and general budget giving, we are tipsy and struggle to keep our wheels on the pavement of smooth riding. Dare I say that our giving to the General Budget is like riding on a rough, unpaved road shoulder? It is up and down and very bumpy. As of this past Wednesday, our Treasurer was short $3200, which will prevent her from making the next payroll and a few other bills. The Treasurer knows better than any of us just how bumpy our giving patterns are.

   God is constantly generous and God is constantly giving. We are told that if we count our blessings, we will discover an amazing bounty at our disposal. If tithes and gifts are truly an expression of our love for God, then on a week-to-week basis, our love appears to be more like a roller coaster as compared to the steady stream of blessings that God gives to us.

   Today is the opening of our Fall Pledging Campaign. I really do not like that terminology. I would prefer if we could re-title our campaign to be: “Our annual renewal of our wedding vows with God.” This is appropriate because our scripture tells us that Christ is the bridegroom and we are the bride (the church). We are to prepare ourselves for his coming to be wed to him, becoming one.

   Let’s assume that last year, 2004, you were giving a weekly gift to God of $25.00. When January 1, 2005 came, what was your weekly gift to God then? Still $25.00? How can that be? The cost of keeping the work of God going in our congregation and community went up! Who did you think would make up the difference?

   There is no way that we can keep up with God’s generosity to us, but we can do no less than keep up with inflation, so at a minimum, we do not fall behind and get ourselves into trouble. Dare I also say that if we are unable to keep our basic mission and purpose well funded, then we have no business in looking forward to a new, paved parking lot. Our basic and fundamental mission must always be covered before we launch out on the extras.

   As we look to “renew our wedding vows with God,” in anticipation of January 1, 2006, have you allowed for the rate that inflation will eat up some of your gift? If you were giving $25 a week this year, would you be so kind as to pray earnestly abut the possibility of giving $30 a week beginning January 1, 2006? (Or from $50 each month to $55 each month?) God is waiting to bless you addition-ally for your sacrifice.

   Guest what? Even before January 1^st, 2006, inflation is scheduled to begin knocking on our door. We are told that the cost of energy, specifically natural gas, will increase 30%-50% during the course of this winter. Add that to our current deficit of $3200 and you can see how far short we have fallen with inflation and less than exuberant giving in 2005.

   With God, all things are possible. So says our scripture. Do you believe it? Are you ready to be a part of the reform that our church needs? Are you ready to help bring transformation to the ministry and effectiveness of God’s work both here within our walls and beyond?

   As the old gospel hymn reminds us:

   Count your blessings,

   Name them one by one;

   County your blessings,

   See what God hath done;

   County your blessings,

   Name them one by one;

   Count your many blessings,

   See what God hath done.

Amen.

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