Please read these very important messages on Stewardship and Giving:
October 25, 2012
Stewardship in Our DNA
On several occasions, I’ve been advised to soft-pedal stewardship because some people might get upset. I’ve never taken that advice and here’s why.
Over half of the recorded sayings of Jesus Christ concern possessions. Jesus knew how possessions interfere with our relationships with God, our neighbors, and our spiritual identity. Don’t most wars, lawsuits, family feuds, and legislative battles finally boil down to who possesses what and how much?
A rich man approached Jesus and asked, “Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Jesus. The man couldn’t do it. Why? He was possessed by his possessions. He derived too much of his identity, security, and status from his possessions. Jesus was not condemning wealth. Jesus was trying to help a man find the freedom and joy that comes from living in a right relationship with his God, his neighbor, and his stuff!
Like Jesus, I want to help people have a healthy relationship with their possessions so that all the other relationships of their lives will be healthier and they will know the kind of freedom Jesus called “eternal life.”
The story of stewardship is grounded in the story of creation. When God created human beings, our role as stewards was imbedded into our DNA. As the only creature made in the likeness of God, humans have the distinct privilege and responsibility of managing God’s resources in ways that further God’s creative and redemptive purposes.
When we abdicate our role as stewards, we lower ourselves in the pecking order of creation. Before long, we make idols that stand between us and God. In exercising the vocation of stewardship we become more fully human and fulfill our God-given destiny in creation. We need to give!
Finally, it is important to help the community of Christian people see how necessary the work and witness of the community is to the ongoing redemptive mission of Christ. The first thing Jesus did in his public ministry was to form a community. Throughout his ministry, he worked to shape that community into an apostolic, missionary force. The last thing he did before his Ascension was to send that community into the world to bear his message and transform lives. When the community of Christ’s followers is healthy and vibrant, the apostolic witness impacts the mission field at our doorstep in powerful, divine ways. We can’t be faithful stewards if we neglect the community into which we are baptized and to which Christ has entrusted so much of his redemptive work.
When our lives are focused on stewardship instead of ownership, we experience greater freedom. When we embrace the pattern of Jesus’ life that is characterized not by having but by giving, our relationships are transformed. When our giving strengthens the Church, the divine mission given uniquely to the Church can be accomplished.
As a Priest, why would I want to soft-pedal something like that?
The Rev. Ron Pogue
Interim Rector
October 18, 2012
Budgets and Values
If you really want to know what an organization values, take a look at its budget. A very wise person that I admire tremendously (our own Beth Taylor) wrote that in the Communicant some time ago and it stuck with me. The notion that we can gage our values by how we are choosing to spend our money applies not only to organizations but to families as well.
Some months later, I had a conversation with one of my children, one you may have also had with your children. “Mom, are we poor??” With all of the blessings that our children have: their own rooms, a great back yard, great schools, plenty to eat, how in the world could my sweet 7 year old be asking this? Then came the litany of things that other kids had that we didn’t. “But, how come we don’t have an XBOX??” Or a pool? Or an IPAD??”
In that moment, my responsibility as a parent to model my values became starkly apparent. Since that conversation, our family has increased our annual pledge and I now deliberately write my pledge checks in the pew with my children next to me. When they ask what I’m doing, I explain that we choose to donate to CCC as a small way to thank God for our many blessings and to help CCC help others. (If later, we are running errands and I say we can’t afford that Wii game, all the better! I hope they notice that we say yes to our pledge and no to other things!). As a family, we frequently talk about our many blessings and that each of us is called to use those blessings to benefit others. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.
I am so grateful how this wonderful community contributes to my children’s lives and to all of our youth. I especially love that the children in our parish community, from Little Lambs to our teens and college students, receive the message they have special blessings that they can share with the world regardless of age.
As an organization, CCC’s commitment to children and families is abundantly clear. Our pledges support our children and family ministries team- Jessica, Beth, the amazing investment in our Godly Play Sunday School Curriculum, Vacation Bible School, and our youth education and mission activities. These important initiatives have the capacity to benefit all of our children, but require an investment of time, talent, and financial support.
Many of you may know that in my profession, I work with at-risk youth. Evidence is clear that kids who feel connected to their communities, who feel valued, and who have special relationships with adults other than their parents (often their youth pastor or Sunday school teacher) are protected during hard times. Giving our children these connections, a strong faith, and teaching them that they have been given something special by their Creator in order to share it with others is one of the most important things we can do as parents.
I’m so very happy for my kids growing up at Christ Church Cranbrook and I hope that your family will feel called to share your blessings of time, talent, and treasure in order to continue the important work of our parish.
May God bless you and your family,
Cindy Ewell Foster, Ph.D.
October 11, 2012
Stewardship
I’ve been asked to talk about stewardship. I’m not really sure why Tara Trees and Beth Taylor asked me – maybe because Lauren and I are relatively new to the church – and don’t know any better? I think maybe the REAL reason is because of the deeply moving and profound effect my recent experience with Glazer Elementary School had on my life. An experience that I NEVER would have had where it not for Christ Church Cranbrook.
Let me tell you a short story. You may recall, I wrote an article for the Take It Home, ‘The Kids Are Alright.’ It was about my involvement with a small group of 3rd – 5th grade students at Glazer – 100% who live below the poverty
That involvement started as a result of a conversation with Beth, my pastor AND neighbor, and my wanting to do something MORE with my life to help make a difference in the lives of others besides simply writing a check.
Working with the kids, we taught them about goals – short-term and long-term goals. We learned that the only difference between goals and dreams is execution. The kids had a dream to start a school store – the first one at Glazer – with a long term goal of raising enough profit to go on an overnight field trip to Chicago and meet “Sue”, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, at the Field Museum. With hard work, perseverance and a firm goal in mind, the kids overcame long odds, inexperience and achieved their goal!
We celebrated their success with a trip to Chicago. We rode the train, went to Shedd Aquarium, took a boat ride on the Chicago River to Navy Pier, and even met Sue – I have the picture to prove it!
It changed MY life. All because of a simple conversation with Beth, my sense of community expanded to Christ Church Cranbrook and well beyond its walls.
This year, we’re working with Ralph Bland and Brooke Franklin on developing a mentor program for high school kids at the Detroit Edison Public School Academy. The goal is to have kids spend time with diverse professionals to see the real world to achieve professional success. We want them to be able to connect the dots on the rewards of hard work, perseverance and GOALS.
So back to stewardship – you didn’t think I was going to forget and not make the “ASK”, did you?
As I stated earlier, the only difference between goals and dreams is execution. Think about that for a moment. The ONLY difference between goals and dreams is execution.
CCC has goals for stewardship, but without your help on the execution, they will remain dreams. Our family has learned a great deal as a result of being members at CCC since we joined three years ago. We’ve made new friends, laughed, cried and even planted a community garden. We’ve become “richer”, as compassionate, caring people, and plan on increasing our pledge to the Church as a humble and simple way of saying thank you.
NOW I know why they asked me to do this. I hope you will join Lauren and me by EXECUTING on a strong pledge toward helping the stewardship reach its goal so that it doesn’t simply remain a dream.
Thank you!
Tom Balames
October 4, 2012
There’s a silent enemy in our midst!
It’s Stewardship Month and that’s got us talking about giving and money as a community. All of us one way or another have to confront a silent enemy in our financial lives, namely inflation. A gallon of milk will surely cost more twenty years from now. Those of us that have paid college tuition lately for our kids know the stark reality that college is much more expensive than when we attended ourselves.
Unfortunately inflation is all too often ignored when it comes to pledging.
Imagine for a moment a fictitious parishioner named George Washington.
In 1971, Mr. Washington started giving a generous annual gift of $1,000. He dutifully filled out that amount on his pledge card each and every year. Unfortunately he has never raised the pledge to take inflation into account, and the inflation rate for the last 40 years has been 4.3%. The effect is as follows:
If Mr. Washington had been raising his pledge each year by inflation he would now be giving $5,387.31. However, by not raising his pledge, today he is only giving $185.62 in 1971 dollars.
His neighbor Mr. Lincoln only gave $500 in 1971 and held it steady. Today his gift is worth a mere $92.81.
Some will always be able to give more than others. But please take a look at your giving history and remember that a giving level started years ago will have been eroded by the silent effects of inflation. Our fictitious George Washington prided himself on being a parish leader, but through the ravages of inflation his generous gift has become less than average.
~Tom Post
September 27, 2012
What Part Will You Play?
2013 will be upon us before we know it and we have a lot to look forward to here at Christ Church Cranbrook (CCC)—our children and youth programs, music, ministries, outreach and the journey to find our new rector. It’s an exciting time!
As we begin our planning for 2013, we hope you will begin examining your hearts and finances regarding what part you and your family will play in the ministry of CCC. You have an opportunity to begin the new year with a fresh commitment to this church through your financial support. Your commitment, your pledge allows CCC to continue the vibrant parish programs that our energetic clergy, staff and lay leadership have created as well as plan for new ones. We cannot do this without everyone’s participation!
Over the next few weeks, we will talk more about our church’s needs and, more importantly, God’s faithfulness in response to our giving. For now, we ask that you consider a few things you may not know.
Did you know that for 2012…?
CCC’s operating budget is $1,600,000.
Income from pledges so far this year is $939,000.
Our endowments generate only $320,000 per year for operations.
Only 469 of 745 of parish households pledged.
Our average pledge per giving household is $2002.
20% of our members provide ~75% of our income.
24% of our members have given less than $1,000.
40% of our members have given $0.00.
Income from pledges falls far short of meeting our operating budget needs. At this critical time, fewer of you are pledging. In fact, almost half of you do not pledge at all! The 20% of you who were already providing 60% are now carrying a MUCH heavier load…75%! Still, our average pledge is $2002, which places us last among surrounding area churches.
To meet our budgeted commitments, we need only raise the average per household another $500 to $2500. As you examine your hearts and finances and determine what “Stewardship” means to you, recall it is vitally important to the outreach of our church. Each of us has to define what Stewardship means and to what extent we are willing to impact the growth and sustainability of Christ Church Cranbrook.
What part will you play? CCC is your church and we need each of you. Don’t miss out!
Respectfully,
Tara Trees
Stewardship Chair