Stewardship: Will You Continue to Grow?
2008 Operating Budget Campaign
One year ago, our congregation was asked to grow in its commitment to funding the operations, missions, and outreach of our church. Many of you responded - 464 families grew their pledge - and as a result, pledges for the 2007 year surpassed the previous year by 30 percent. It is through this faithful giving that our ministries have grown. Will you continue to grow as we prepare for 2008?
Read Frequently asked Questions about giving at FUMC
We encourage you to examine your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how it is reflected in your Christian giving. As you consider your faith commitment to First United Methodist Church—Cary, view your gift as the need of every Christian to give.
Your financial commitment to FUMC will be an act of worship and celebration. What a tremendous joy to offer God a portion of His generous blessing to us.
Click here to submit your commitment safely and securely to the church financial administrator.
Why Grow?
It is God’s intention that we grow more generous as we grow deeper in love with God and more aware of how richly he has blessed us. During this time of commitment, we encourage you to:
- Deepen your sense of gratitude and generosity for the blessings of life,
- Discover the joy of growing in giving, and
- Give proportionately and systematically in a way that is fitting with your level of blessings.
Giving is directly linked to compassion and answering Christ’s call to discipleship. It’s spiritual, not financial. True, the specific dollar amount a person can give is financial, but the quality of the decision is determined by the spiritual condition of a person’s heart.
Jesus spoke very openly about the issues of money and possessions. As a matter of fact, approximately two-thirds of the parables and about one of every ten verses in the four Gospel accounts address the issue.
Jesus was not reluctant to talk about it, and neither should we. As Christians, we are called to be faithful and generous stewards of all God’s creation. Remember, the highest expression of giving is God’s eternal gift of Jesus Christ. He gave in love without measure, and he expects us to do the same. Giving is an outward expression of our willingness to return thanks; to follow in Peter’s footsteps, feeding God’s sheep by giving unselfishly and compassionately as an act of discipleship.
Our prayer is that God will grant you wisdom and discernment as you consider your financial commitment to His church.
Will you continue to grow?
For more information on FUMC-Cary Stewardship 2008, please contact:
Ralph Gordon, Executive Director, gordonsnug@aol.com, 919-469-2628