TALKING ABOUT MONEY IS IMPORTANT – EVEN IN CHURCH

 

            Too often, we avoid talking about money in church, don’t we? Sometimes it’s because we’re uncomfortable talking about money at all; sometimes it’s because we’re in church; and sometimes it’s because people hate it when we talk about money.

            If we believe that what is said from the pulpit is important to people, then money should be talked about from the pulpit, because money is important. An article I read said when we don’t talk about money, we’re implying:

1.    Money isn’t important; or

2.    God only cares about the money you give; or

3.    We don’t talk about money in the church, so you’ll need to find out how to manage your money from the world.

Ouch! I’m not sure any of those implications is what we should be relying upon!

            I’m not saying we only talk about money, but people deal with money every day, and many times every day, so they need our help, our wisdom and our encouragement in handling and managing it.

            Jesus talked about money in his teaching about 15% of the time! So not talking about money takes a pretty good chunk out of the New Testament, doesn’t it?

            How about if we talk about money, sharing God’s financial principles and providing them with the tools that will help them fight against the world’s influence?

            I encourage you to think about sharing money in this way, instead of only doing it under protest, and only when we want money FROM people!

 

            It’s not too late to attend the Stewardship Academy. The next session is being held May 21^st at 10 a.m. via Zoom. If you are interested in a registration form or information on the academy itself, please let me know (susanranous@unyumc.org)

 

                                        WITNESSING TO GENEROSITY

 

            When we give inside church, during worship, it is a matter of public worship, and we are witnessing to our generosity. When we can’t pass the offering plates, that public witness is much more subtle.

            How else can we witness to our generosity?

·         Testimonies

·         Telling stories of generosity

·         Telling what generosity accomplishes in service of God’s mission

            Don’t fixate on the face that offering plates aren’t being used like they used to be. I don’t know how to break it to you, but they may never be used the same way again!

            And that’s okay. We just need to provide opportunities to give in as many different ways as possible. There need to be a variety of ways to give. Have you noticed fewer and fewer people actually have a checkbook or cash on them now-a-days. That means passing the plate wouldn’t work, even if we could.

            There has been appositive result of the pandemic, and that is churches that hadn’t been providing online opportunities to give had to start online giving when their church buildings were closed.

            Let’s embrace new and varied ways of giving, but, most importantly, keep offering central to worship and invite everyone to give.

 

            REMINDER: The Stewardship Academy is being held April 23^rd, May 21^st, June 18^th and July 16^th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested in a registration form or information on the academy itself, please let me know (susanranous@unyumc.org)

 

                    GIVING WHEN THERE’S NO OFFERING PLATE #2

            It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve offered a blog, but I wanted to continue our discussion on giving when there’s no offering plate.

            When we used to pass the plate, there was a little bit of peer pressure, and people knew (usually) what they were supposed to do: drop a little something in the plate. Some people didn’t like it. But there was something to be said for a connection with each person in the pew. When the person sitting right next to you is passing you the plate or basket, it can’t be ignored, can it?

            Now, the plate or basket may be placed at the door or somewhere else. For those of us familiar with that particular church, we know where to look. But what about others. My husband and I visited a church recently. We’d been there before, but that was back “before.” I had pulled the money out of my wallet and placed it just inside my purse so I could easily drop it in the plate when it came by. And then…I watched the usher stride up the aisle right to the altar table and place the offering plate there to be prayed over.

            I’d missed my chance! Steve looked at me and muttered “I didn’t even see where to put the money when we came in.” It probably was easily found, but, even now, stewardship or not, two years hence or not, I seldom think to look for the plate on the way in.

            Then there are those persons worshipping virtually. While we may give them QR codes or links to go to make an offering, there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between the offering and the worshipper, does there?

            We have to make the offering, whether it’s in person or virtual; whether a plate’s being passed or stashed somewhere else; connected to everyone. The offering time isn’t just a throw away moment; it is a vital part of worship.

            It’s important and it should be joyful! I encourage you to go to Youtube and type in "church offering dance" and see what pops up! Wouldn’t it be exciting if offerings were done that way?

            REMINDER: The Stewardship Academy is being held April 23^rd, May 21^st, June 18^th and July 16^th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested in a registration form or information on the academy itself, please let me know (susanranous@unyumc.org)