Sermon Text: I Corinthians 12:1, 4-12, 25-27 (The Message)
Sermon Excerpt:
Thank you. Thanks Jim, Barb, and David. I appreciate not only that you said “yes” when presented an opportunity to speak, but also the many ways you have given generously of your time and talent.
Together we are inviting you to join with us for the year ahead by committing to risk-taking mission and service. This is one of the five practices of fruitful congregations. The author of the book that has helped frame our thinking about the strengths of our own congregation defines the term in this way:
Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice Risk-Taking Mission and Service. Risk-Taking Mission and Service includes the projects, the efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ, whether or not they will ever be a part of the community of faith.
When a group gathered earlier this week to talk about personal experiences of risk-taking mission and service we returned again and again to the modifying term: risk-taking. It is an invitation to step out of your comfort zone as you give of yourself.
With this in mind I invite you to . . . (read full manuscript or watch video)
So What?
I have yet to meet anyone who thinks that stewardship should be limited to how people live the financial component of their lives. Stewardship is a much larger concept that relates to how one lives all of life. As a result, I never ask people to pledge money to support their community of faith until after they have an opportunity to pledge of themselves.
- 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 2015? How does this differ from what you did in 2014?