A More Comprehensive Pledge

Last year I arrived during my congregation's usual annual stewardship emphasis month. Because of the timing, "commitment Sunday" didn't occur. In the interim, my congregation learned that their new pastor doesn't believe that conversation about issues of stewardship should only occur one Sunday per year. Jesus talks about the ordering of our lives in light of the nearness of his kingdom. This reordering is by definition stewardship. So when Jesus talks about it--which is frequently, so do I.

My congregation is NOT a pledging congregation. A congregation started by farmers whose incomes were as mercurial as the crops that supported them, it seemed impractical. But this year, one hundred years after their beginning in mission, I'm asking them to stretch themselves for the sake of the Gospel they are called to serve, and for the sake of their maturation in that same Gospel. Borrowing marks of discipleship/stewardship from my colleagues at Abiding Hope, Littleton, Colorado, and marrying the ideas found therein with the pledging practices of Prince of Peace, Burnesville, I've created a pledging form that I believe is an original. I offer it below for your edification. If you can use this idea or something like it in your ministry, go for it! Blessings...

Nathan

Holy Spirit Stewardship
for Disciples of the Risen Jesus
Pledge Form: 2007

—3 Beats to a New Heart—

As we’re discussing in worship, stewardship involves much more than our pocketbooks.

Stewardship IS discipleship: It is everything we do with our lives after we’ve been claimed by Jesus and his life. Because of this, we are talking about our giving in a new way. As God’s people, the question of our generosity is never about what we can do. Rather, it’s about what God can do through us. We belong to Him. Life belongs to Him. God intends abundance for each of us and for this creation He so

passionately loves. Being created in His image, we are made in the image of the God who gives everything, even His very life. He is a generous God. We are His generous people.

This year, as an exercise in generosity and the promise of our lives and resources to God, we seek to exercise biblically faithful stewardship muscles. II Corinthians 9:5, 7-8 reads—

“...I have decided to ask Titus and the others to spend some time with you before I arrive.
This way they can arrange to collect the money you have promised. Then you will have the chance
to give because you want to, and not because you feel forced to.
each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give.
But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give.
God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need,
and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. (CEV)

Because of this, we will exercise the muscles of pledging/promising to God our worship, relationships that grow in the Living God, and financial generosity that places
God as center and Lord of our lives.

1st Beat—WORSHIP: Last year we/I worshipped God in community approximately______
times. This year God is calling me/us to even greater engagement in the life of worship. I/we pledge
to worship times.

2nd Beat—RELATIONSHIPS: This year the Holy Spirit is calling me into intentional, accountable
relationships of faith that allow me to grow and mature as a follower of Jesus Christ, that give me opportunities to serve God’s church and world, and that allow me to see my personal story in light of God’s overarching story of salvation. This year I will engage this call by participating in______ .

3rd Beat—PASSIONATE GIVING: Last year I gave $____ / month as an offering to the Lord. This represents ___% of my monthly income. This year God can give through me $____/month which represents ___ % of my monthly income. This next year, given this increase, I will grow in my tithing by ___%.

Thank you for your faithful prayer and pledge. Please bring this form with you to worship on October 22nd sealed in a self-addressed stamped envelope. The church office will hold this in trust until February of 2007 when it will be sent back to you as a reminder of your covenant with yourselves and God.