John Lewis serves God and the LCMS Foundation as the Direct Response Director for the South Wisconsin District. He says he is not really surprised at the response of some of God's people in Wisconsin to a challenge to support God's work in the world. Do you find it a little surprising?
Good Christian stewardship principles say that Christians don't give to a need...they need to give. In other words, congregations and charitable organizations have learned that when they are behind in gifts, or when something unanticipated causes a greater need, people do not particularly respond to a "bailout" plea. Good Christian stewards respond to challenges, clear opportunities, chances to do something really good.
Just about everyone in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod should know by now that a terrible shortfall in gifts has caused drastic cutbacks in World Mission work...a sad state of affairs for a mission-minded church. But equally drastic or dramatic gifts have not poured in as a result of that need.
Pastor Paul Borgman of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, told me one day that he needed to challenge the congregation to support LCMS World Mission and missionaries around the world. On Sunday, he asked the worshipers to put in $200 more than the usual offering and he would send that money on to World Mission.
The result was overwhelming...$21,000 more than the average offering! Since that Sunday, gifts to support world mission work have continued to come in from people who were not present that first Sunday. Because it was still coming in, he did not have the total amount yet when he asked me to help him come up with a way to challenge the congregation to become a sustaining giving club or something, so that they can continue the good work they have started.
He believes they can do even more if they are made aware of the opportunities and are challenged to give to proclaim the Gospel to people everywhere with their generous gifts. I believe he's right. Another solid stewardship principle is that God can always do more than we expect!
Editor's Note: Have you challenged your congregation to get seriously involved in Christ's mission? Is God challenging you?