Sermon Text: I Corinthians 12:1, 4-12, 25-27 (The Message)
Sermon Excerpt:
Our culture teaches us the importance of starting well each New Year. People tend to take New Year’s resolutions very seriously – at first.
If you need confirmation, simply visit the gym of your choice sometime this month. Those crowded gyms never last long. While most resolutions are truly good ideas, often our motivation is inadequate to sustain our efforts.
One study found that after just one week, only 75% of those making resolutions were still committed to achieving them. By the time January ends, the number will drop to 64%. Amazingly, when the year ends, only 8% will actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions.
I won’t ask you to publicly share whatever resolutions you have made for 2014 or just how successful you have been with keeping prior resolutions. I will, however, assume most of you have significant experience in this area.
I also suspect most of you are accustomed to making annual stewardship pledges to your church. And, many of the snowbirds among us have faithfully pledged to multiple churches each year.
Stewardship pledges are a lot like New Year’s Resolutions.
- They begin around the same time of year.
- They are – at least ideally – made after careful consideration.
- They require real commitment and genuine focus.
Stewardship pledges are also nothing like New Year’s resolutions.
- They are about building God’s realm on earth rather than improving something about ourselves.
- They require us to use gifts we already have rather than create something we don’t yet have or no longer possess.
- They are designed to be made in Christian community and before God rather than . . . (read the full manuscript)
So What?
Making an annual pledge to share your time and talent in specific ways within your community of faith is one way to commit to being an active party of that body. As the congregation participates in this process together, it strengthens and unites.
- Does your congregation provide an annual opportunity for people to pledge their time and talent? If so, how is it done? If not, how are people invited to give in this way?
- What have you decided to give in this area for 2014? How does this differ from what you did in 2013?