 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 Fall 2009 the semi-annual newsletter of Converge Cornerstone Fund Overflowing Generosity • How do I become more generous? • Capital Campaign: "A New Job..." • Did you Know? • Cornerstone Team
Generosity
The focus of this issue of Mosaic is on generosity. Its importance in the Kingdom, its role in our lives, its many and varied forms and its impact on both those who receive and those who give. The Cornerstone Fund is part of Converge Worldwide/Baptist General Conference and we work side-by-side with our ministry partners. We are sometimes witness to deep measures of generosity in the form of gifts for ministry efforts. But, generosity is not always… “just about money.” We can be generous with…our time, our words of encouragement, our possessions, our talents, our faith and our money. For some, living generously is the most natural way of life. For others, it is a lesson to be learned. But, without exception, we have all benefited at some point in life from the generosity of another. Perhaps, too often, we believe that we’re not in a position to “be generous.” While it may be true that we can’t always write a check, we can always make an investment/donation of ourselves. And, it’s the little things that we do…that help to make a big difference in the world. Generosity is a source of great encouragement …for the recipient and the giver. Many know the blessing it is to show generosity to another… a friend, loved one, relative, stranger or cause. It lifts the heart and spirit…it can help turn despair into hope. What is your heart condition? Think of a time when you’ve been blessed by someone’s benevolence. What was the impact for you? What motivates you to be generous? Are you missing opportunities to be a blessing? Throughout this publication, we have sprinkled a variety of stories and testimonies that we hope will uplift your spirit, affirm the value of being generous and motivate you to spontaneous or planned acts of generosity. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts. by Dr. Lou Petrie, VP Church Relations, Converge Worldwide When was the last time you were surprised by the generosity which overflowed into your life? I was a young, inexperienced pastor serving a small Baptist church on the plains of Saskatchewan, Canada. God’s blessing was upon the congregation and the fellowship grew and soon our sanctuary was full. Excitement was in the air, but we were not without challenges. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. In the previous 30 years, the church had never met the projected budget income. During my first year, an extended drought began. It lasted 5 years. In only one of those years did the farmers enjoy a bountiful harvest. There were significant financial struggles and the hope of meeting our budget needs was dim. But God surprised and delighted us. The budget was met and exceeded in each of those years. Ministries flourished and missionaries supported. Through God…from God’s grace and overflowing generosity. The leadership decided to launch a building program. I was uncertain how to handle the growth and sought the counsel of a seasoned pastor in the area. He mentored me and helped me mature in my role. I invited him to be our fundraising banquet speaker. He simply challenged our congregation to a pattern of giving generously. The people’s response was overwhelming. A sizable offering, much more than I thought possible, was collected over the campaign period. I admit, it caught me by surprise. But, it should not have. It came from God’s prompting of the hearts of his people. In the Book of James, we’re reminded that “every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” Let us never be surprised by the overflowing generosity of God. Baking Cookies
Former U.S. Attorney General and Missouri governor John Ashcroft relates this story from his book, Lessons from a Father to His Son. A relatively young woman, who worked for me while I was governor, was dying of cancer. She had served the citizens of Missouri well and I went to her hospital room in the last days of her life. “Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked. She smiled and said, “I’d really love some chocolate chip cookies.” That afternoon, I returned to the governor’s mansion and began assembling the ingredients. The staff cook said, “what are you doing?” “I’m making chocolate chip cookies,” and then I cleared the kitchen. It would not have been the same if somebody else did the baking. But then…it always happens this way…the act of giving started paying me back. The process of baking those cookies allowed me to process my prayers for her family and to work through my anger at the cigarettes that had needlessly shortened her life. The time in the kitchen became a holy time, a culinary prayer. I used my favorite recipe, slightly under baked, so they would be good and moist when I delivered them later that day. Little things give life meaning far beyond their size. Mr. Ashcroft’s challenge: What is something little you could give today?
Capital Campaign: "A New Job..." by Rev. Douglas Peck “Larger bonus than expected…”
This is typical testimony from capital campaign participants. Church leaders have the perception that people already give their capacity, what they can afford. This is rare. Human short-circuited inner wiring doesn’t lend toward capacity giving. Jesus taught an important generosity lesson in the “widow’s offering.” It seems this teachable moment focused on money – large amounts from the rich compared to a widow’s two cents. It’s really about a generous giver’s capacity. Capital campaigns provide opportunities for people to evaluate their giving heart. Lesson: Generosity always has some level of sacrifice. Jesus watched who put what in the offering plate. The rich gave out of their abundance without sacrifice; the widow gave all she possessed, truly sacrificing. Lesson: Generosity is much more than money.
Lesson: Generosity is is about what you have. Generosity comes from what one has, not in what’s lacking. Jesus asked, “Who’s the most generous?” Becoming generous happens from grateful hearts through obedience and faith. God doesn’t demand people to live in extreme poverty by giving everything away. Stewardship is effectively managing everything God gives; however, generosity is required. Giving releases control and aligns the heart with God. Because of being made in God’s image, hearts are “rewired” to respond generously. The heart divinely captured is wildly generous.
Paul Kruit, our VP of Operations, is really outnumbered now! In March, Lori and Paul officially became a family of 7 when they travelled to China for Mikenna. Isn’t she a “doll?” Lori says that they realize God has entrusted them to raise all of their girls in a godly home and to love Him. What a blessing! DID YOU KNOW?
Recently, a staff member at Converge/BGC, a single mother of three children, was facing an increasingly difficult housing situation. Her two-bedroom apartment was crowded and in a rapidly declining neighborhood. Financially unable to make a move to a safer and more comfortable location, she felt desperate and worried daily for the welfare of her kids. One evening, the phone rang and it was a couple from her church. They said that the Lord had impressed upon them a need to help her and they wanted to purchase a home for her to live in for the next 10 years and to pay no more than her current rent. “Where would you like to live?” they asked. What is your stick?
Bolin writes, “some people say, I don’t know what to do,” or, “I don’t really have any special talent to give.” Moses said pretty much the same thing when God spoke to him at the burning bush. “I’m a nobody.” He continues with, “How did God answer?” “Moses, what is in your hand?” For Moses, it was a staff. “It wasn’t a crown, scepter or sword…it was a simple stick. And it became one of the greatest supernatural weapons in human history.”
He tells us to take an inventory of your resources for doing good and… Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is
of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver and bronze.
Overflowing Generosity
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 
Generosity... in the form of a Home
John Bolin, in his book Life Unlimited, reminds us that Scripture emphasizes that we are
to use the gifts and abilities that God has given us for the benefit of others. 1 Peter 4 and Romans 12: 6-8 both point out that we have each received gifts and are to use them to serve one another.
Bolin challenges us with the question of “What do we already have in our possession? Speaking ability? Money? Friendships?” His point is that we all have something useful to accomplish our part in God’s work here on earth as we serve one another.