SETTING UP GENEROSITY

          For some churches, it’s that time when they are welcoming a new pastor; for others, their pastor has continued. At the beginning of the appointment year in the United Methodist Church, there are a couple of months before the busy fall starts, before Sunday School restarts, many church meetings start and before the proverbial fall stewardship campaigns.

          It seems like a good time to share with a new pastor or current pastor the history of the church’s generosity. It will help a new pastor learn how the church was founded and their history in ministry and in people. In fact, it may even be more helpful to current folks to share the stories that they know but may have “forgotten.”

          That history story can and must lead to conversation around the current generosity and ministry of the church. So much of the history of our churches happened because someone was generous.

• ·        There are windows and pews and chairs, pulpits, Sunday School rooms, kitchens…
• ·        There are children and older adults, youth and families…
• ·        There are classes for children, you and adults…
• ·        There are people who have gone into ordained ministry and there are missionaries…
• ·        There are laity who are the backbone of the church…
• ·        There are ministries that are hundreds of years old, some that are decades old, some that are years old, some that are much, much newer…

          All of these things and people and activities happen because people past and present have been generous. They continue to happen because of the generosity happening right now!

          Share the stories—with those for whom they are new and with those who may have forgotten.

          How has generosity been reflected in YOUR church!