 |
|
Stewardship Sermon |
|
|
|
|
Justice, or Tyranny? After reminding us of Saul's rebuke by Samuel (and Yahweh) because he
had not carried out his instructions, but rather kept some of the
plunder. What
follows is extracted from his
In May, I suggested that if we are to proceed into the 21st century with any reasonable hope of surviving the tidal wave of secularism, we must re-establish connection with our spiritual roots. Today I would like to suggest that if we are going to survive at all beyond the next decade or two, we must take much more seriously some of the more radical biblical statements, about returning to God a fair share of what God has given to us. Lest you think me too negative, let me mention the Sip and Serve group that has been operating for many years now, each year spending hundreds of hours and saving thousands of dollars, keeping this building in a condition worthy to be called the house of God. Scores of volunteers work out of offices here in Christ Church, or in their homes, or for the agencies to which this congregation has committed support, doing the work that we all take pride in sponsoring. The hours and mental energy that countless dozens have spent in committee work intended to advance the work we have deemed worthy is inestimable. And as for the paid staff, no one person knows how many hours are spent beyond the explicit terms of their contract, ensuring that their area of responsibility is adequately covered. These are examples of the time and talent that good-hearted people in relative stages of good health, are rendering to God through Christ Church. Many of us have spent most of our life within the church, as worshippers, volunteers, and financial contributors. We are tired, and some of us have not the strength any longer to commit our time or our talent. If the few carry the many, as the few pass on, the many will not have the track record to pick up the slack. Recent developments have made us re-assess this position. One, the many are passing out the door faster than the few are passing on. Two, in order to carry out the spiritual work of the church, the mundane needs of the physical plant have been postponed beyond any reasonable length of time. Three, we must move in new directions that almost surely will cost more than in the past. Consequently, where we once thought others should do their share, we now see that if we don't do as much as we can, the church has no future. Besides, the furnaces that are worn out were worn out warming us. The roof that needs replacing kept the rain off our heads. It behooves us to replace them. I suspect that many of us could substantially raise our pledge without significantly impacting our life-style. We have in this congregation individuals whose commitment to the old established ways is so entrenched that nothing will persuade them to accept the possibility that perhaps there is another not better, necessarily, but other ways in which to worship God. For those in positions of leadership, however, the realization has dawned that some of these other ways must be tried. We also have, though regrettably in fewer numbers, since most in this category do not attend worship services here very often, those who have no patience whatsoever for the old fashioned ways of a distant past. To the former, I ask for, not just your indulgence as we move down a largely untried path, but your active support. Your absence from worship on those occasions when we try new things, your failure to volunteer for some share in the work which Christ Church has committed to undertake, your withholding of financial resources when they are so desperately needed, will not, by any standard of measurement, advance the cause of the kingdom of God. To the latter, I plead with you to be tolerant of our attachment with the familiar ways of our youth, with the practices that have provided comfort and sustained faith through the trials and tribulations of our long life. For those reasons, you must permit us to continue drinking from this well. We, in turn, pledge to assist you in implementing new ways of worship more congenial to your understanding of the spiritual life. Who would have believed 50 years ago, when we were so busy building churches, that they would be almost empty today? In much less than another 50 years, four out of every five churches will not even exist. Let's not be one of the four. |
|||
Return to Top |
