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Will You Answer The Call?
November 20, 2005
Dear members and friends of my First Baptist Church family,
Hello, my name is Lori Lord, I promise to only take a few moments
of service time. I don’t think any of us would want Cal to have to
shorten his sermon this morning. After all, that's what we pay him for.
I have 3 quick points to make:
First, Why do we give to God’s church?
2nd, Why do we give on a regular basis?
3rd, Why do we give to this church in particular?
Over the years I have heard more than once that some people would be surprised that
the pastor’s family supports the church with a financial pledge. After all, aren’t we the
recipients of a large portion of the church’s funds? Would you believe that even
though Cal only works one day a week his salary accounts for about half of the yearly
budget!! But all kidding aside, the reason we give is larger than just finances. We give
because God has called us to support local industry in His name.
Secondly, Why is it so important that we give on a regular basis. Cal and I both grew
up attending First Baptist Church in Lebanon, a trusting congregation that managed
their church on free-will giving, not pledging. As kids, we didn’t think that much about
what it means to pay the bills. Even during our college years we tended to give what
we could when we attended, generously, we thought, but not regularly. Not until we
“grew up” did we realize that however well-meaning our approach was, it takes steady
income to make things run smoothly. We pledge because we like things to run
smoothly.
Third and lastly, Why does our family give to this church? There are so many
worthwhile organizations that we could support, but we support this church because
we choose to - We choose to:
because we feel welcome here
because we enjoy the company of friends here
because we feel a part of this family
because we love the history of this place
because Adele is great to work with
because God has led us here
and because we are confident that we as a group are trying to follow God’s plan.
And in Closing, we have been blessed by your openness, your generosity, and your
friendship. God willing, the ministry at this church will remain vibrant and continue to
grow. And let it be partly because we are a gathering of thoughtful, committed and
regular givers.
Sincerely,
Lori Lord
Dear members and friends of my First Baptist Church family,
Hello, my name is Lori Lord, I promise to only take a few moments
of service time. I don’t think any of us would want Cal to have to
shorten his sermon this morning. After all, that's what we pay him for.
I have 3 quick points to make:
First, Why do we give to God’s church?
2nd, Why do we give on a regular basis?
3rd, Why do we give to this church in particular?
Over the years I have heard more than once that some people would be surprised that
the pastor’s family supports the church with a financial pledge. After all, aren’t we the
recipients of a large portion of the church’s funds? Would you believe that even
though Cal only works one day a week his salary accounts for about half of the yearly
budget!! But all kidding aside, the reason we give is larger than just finances. We give
because God has called us to support local industry in His name.
Secondly, Why is it so important that we give on a regular basis. Cal and I both grew
up attending First Baptist Church in Lebanon, a trusting congregation that managed
their church on free-will giving, not pledging. As kids, we didn’t think that much about
what it means to pay the bills. Even during our college years we tended to give what
we could when we attended, generously, we thought, but not regularly. Not until we
“grew up” did we realize that however well-meaning our approach was, it takes steady
income to make things run smoothly. We pledge because we like things to run
smoothly.
Third and lastly, Why does our family give to this church? There are so many
worthwhile organizations that we could support, but we support this church because
we choose to - We choose to:
because we feel welcome here
because we enjoy the company of friends here
because we feel a part of this family
because we love the history of this place
because Adele is great to work with
because God has led us here
and because we are confident that we as a group are trying to follow God’s plan.
And in Closing, we have been blessed by your openness, your generosity, and your
friendship. God willing, the ministry at this church will remain vibrant and continue to
grow. And let it be partly because we are a gathering of thoughtful, committed and
regular givers.
Sincerely,
Lori Lord
