I know where you can send your holiday giving!

Very 'interesting article! Ken

Holiday Giving

According to new study results soon to be released from Harris Interactive^®, more than three out of four U.S. adults would prefer to receive a meaningful gift this holiday season that would help someone else instead of a traditional gift like clothing or electronics. The study was commissioned by World Vision^® among 1,001 adults from October 29 to November 1.

The new survey on charitable giving also concluded that nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) would be more likely to give a "charitable gift" as a holiday present this year. "That finding reveals our charitable culture at work," said Justin Greeves, senior vice president of public affairs and policy research at Harris Interactive.

Additionally, the study showed that, this year, around six out of ten adults (57%) said they will spend less money on holiday presents and almost three out of four (74%) plan to increase their charitable giving once the economy improves. [ChristianPost.com]

As many of you know I am a church planter in Charlotte, NC. Our goal is to have our first public worship service on Palm Sunday, almost 5 months away and there is so much to be done. One vital element of this is the need to raise $50,000 for start up cost (sound equipment, chairs, nursery equipment...). If you would like to give one time gifts to this effort you can send checks made out to Advent Church to our treasurer:

Ben Coulter

4008 Cedar Point Ave

Matthews NC 28104

Miracle in Franklin video

Take 5 minutes and this will challenge and encourage you! It did me.

Supporting Our Habit

A good friend of mine has been sending me devotional material every morning for a least a couple of years. It is amazing that everything I have been reading is on the theme of "investing in the Kingdom." Read what was sent to me this morning written by Joe Stowell.

Friday, November 14, 2008
Today's Text: 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
SUPPORTING OUR HABIT
“God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

A businessman buddy of mine has the proverbial “Midas” touch. It seems like every business venture he touches turns to gold. I’ll never forget the day he said to me, “Joe, do you know what really drives me?” Since he’s one of those driven, type-A personalities, I was really curious about what his answer would be.

“No, what drives you?” I replied.

“Supporting my habit!”

Now I was really curious! “Whoa . . . tell me about it. What habit is that?”

“Advancing the cause of Jesus Christ!” he said with a grin. “I figure that the more money I make, the more I can give to the work of God.”

What a great response! His joy, when it comes to his wealth, is to generously distribute as much as he can to advance the cause of Christ.

That’s the kind of attitude Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians 9:8. As he talks to the Corinthian church about that most delicate subject—giving—he offers an important lesson on biblical economics. The type of giving God is looking for, Paul says, is cheerful, out-of-a-joyful heart kind of giving (verse 7), not begrudging, gotta-pay-my-Jesus-tax kind of giving. And as we pursue the joy that comes from investing in God’s work, Paul reminds us that God will also “supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (v.10).

We need to be careful here. At this point it would be easy to say to ourselves: “Okay, God, if you give me the Midas touch too, I would be happy to give generously to your work.” Our assumption is that it would be much easier for us to give if we just had more money. But the lessons of human nature tell us otherwise.

Often our seasons of financial prosperity draw our attention to bigger homes, bigger cars, bigger mutual funds, and bigger TVs, rather than to bigger opportunities for advancing the cause of Christ. The lure of “more” is highly seductive. Giving to God’s work is not a habit that starts when we’re experiencing material success. It’s a habit best cultivated and nurtured in seasons of depending on God through lean times.

Paul points that fact out one chapter earlier when, speaking of the Macedonian church’s generosity, he writes, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). Which all goes to prove that an attitude of joyful generosity starts now, right where you are, with whatever you have. What a joy it is to be addicted to proving that God and His work is worthy of the very best that we have—regardless of how much that might be!

And, speaking of being rich, viewed from a global perspective even the poorest of us have much more than most people do in this world. For reasons best known to God, Christians in our corner of the world have staggering resources by comparison. Which gives us an unusual opportunity to use our wealth to “abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).

So, when was the last time you viewed your financial resources as a tool to “support your habit”? Welcome to the joy of the generous habit of advancing the cause of Christ with the resources He has generously poured out to you!

John Wesley & Money

As a follow up to John Piper's quote yesterday. I read in a devotion by PCA pastor Al Baker today about the great preacher, John Wesley.

John Wesley, the 18th century Anglican pastor and founder of the Methodist movement in England, was a prolific writer, publishing a plethora of books on a number of subjects. His books also sold very well, bringing him an annual income in today’s U.S. dollars amounting to $2.8 million. He lived on $60,000, giving the rest away to charity each year. When the British government tried to tax him on silver it supposed he was hiding from taxation, he responded by saying, “I have only two silver spoons, one in Bristol and one in London, and I shall have no more silver as long as so many remain hungry.” Wesley was a cheerful giver (the Greek text uses a word from which we get hilarious). His money held little allure for him.

Biden & Palin's charitable giving

In an article in USATODAY the recently released tax returns of Sarah Palin were discussed. Here are a few paragraphs:

"The Palins gave $3,325 to charity last year, or about 2% of their income. In 2006, they donated $4,880, or 3.8% of their income. Those donations included clothing and household items given to the Salvation Army in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, the tax returns show. Comella said the Palins also gave money to local churches.

Biden and his wife, by comparison, gave $995 to charity last year, or about 0.3% of their income, and averaged charitable gifts of $369 over the past decade, his tax returns show."

As a long time pastor, I know that many treasurers struggle with knowing what people give to the church. If they are not spiritually strong they become bitter when they see what people drive and where they live and then see what they give. (A note to myself - "Make sure the next treasurer is closer to the Lord and know that Christian folk have many areas of immaturity, giving is one of them.) Someone has to know, IRS knows, the giver knows, but bottom line 

- God knows. There is an interesting episode from Christ's life, (Mark 12, Luke 21) actually about 2 weeks before he w

ent tot he cross to turn away the wrath of his Father from those who would believe on to himself. He is watching what people give at the temple offering "plate". 

He is 

close enough to see what the rich gave, the middle class but he mentioned a widow giving, the lower tier of the socioeconomic ladder.

A secular view of this would either be this is an invasion of privacy or that the poor should not pay taxes, especially "Church taxes".  But a secular mind does not know the pleasure of giving to someone that has given us everything. These minds miss the difference between a steward and and owner. A steward never owns and really neither does an owner unless you know the owner is God Himself!

This reminds me of a joke about an IRS agent that called a church to verify that a parishioner had given a large amount of money. The pastor who answered the phone said - if he hasn't  - he will soon!

I wonder if all of the TAX returns of church members were put in the USATODAY or the local paper if giving would go up! It probably would - but it would be giving from pride or prestige - and that is not the reason Jesus talked about the wid

ow.

When I picture the widow in my sanctified imagination, I see a happy lady, who is trusting in more that her bank account!

Opportunity to Invest in God's Kingdom

I am officially an approved Church Planter for Central Carolina Presbytery to the Steele Creek area of SW Charlotte. My first task is to raise the money that will allow me to minister there. So, here is a quick way to get the word out to those faithful blog readers.

 The way I am approaching this portion of my ministry is much like Paul did with the church of Philippi. 

Philippians 4

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

My application of this passage for this blog:

" You know me, and you know the needs of getting the gospel out. You also know about what it takes to do church planting. We all know God will provide one way or the other. But it was you that provided out of poverty and God will credit your account. Everyone that is affected by the gospel in Steele Creek and each missionary or ministry that touches people for the Lord through Advent Presbyterian will be credited to your account. Each gift you give is affirming to me and I know God will provide for you when you provide for the advancing of the Kingdom!"

Today you do not need to send a messenger like Ephaproditus to give you gifts, there are numerous way to support this work of grace. The language below is  from Mission to North America  (MNA), the church planting arm of the PCA. They are handling the finances for this church plant.

There are four ways to give to the Advent Presbyterian Church Plant

partnering with MNA for cash management services:

1. You can make your donations by mail.

Mission to North America

1700 N. Brown Road Suite 101

Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8143

§  Please make your checks payable to MNA

§  In the memo line of your check specify  Ken Cross (we prefer the name rather than an account number)

§  100% of your contribution goes directly to this project!  There are no fees charged by MNA for these services.

2. You can make your donations online by credit card.

§  Go to www.pca-mna.org

§  Click the “Support MNA” tab (2^nd from the right)

§  Choose “Donate Now” 

(Link: https://processor.pcanet.org/mna/donationsII/donation.cfm)

§  From the ‘church planters’ drop down menu, select “Cross, Ken – Steele Creek (Charlotte), NC”

§  Create a user account by entering your donor information, name, address, email address.

3. You can make your regular donations automatically via electronic funds transfer from your bank, or by a recurring credit card charge.

Please contact Michael Hutcheson at (678) 825-1223 or mhutcheson@pcanet.org. 

4. You can donate stock by contacting Charles W. Schwab:

Stock Company: Charles Schwab & Associates

Main phone number: 1-800-435-4000

Account number: 16360225

DTC Code: 0164 Code 40

 (DTC stands for Depository Trust Co., which is part of the Federal Reserve System of the Central Securities Exchange)

 After each gift is received, a receipt will be sent to the donor.

So here is my initial pledge card. If you want more information just make a comment on this blog and I will be glad to contact you. Or here is a new e-mail address just for fund raising for Advent Presbyterian Mission. 

ken@adventpres.org

STATEMENT OF PLEDGE TO SUPPORT -  Advent Presbyterian Church Plant

MINISTRY OF KEN CROSS – Steele Creek (Charlotte), NC

 

Yes, I (we) would like to express my (our) intent to pledge support to Advent Presbyterian Church Plant and to MNA by:

 

o PRAYER:  I (we) would like to pray for the development of this ministry and for the hearts of people to be touched by the Gospel.          

o Daily     o Weekly

 

      o  FINANCIAL TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS:

v One Time Gift of $__________________

 

v  Ongoing pledge of  

$___________ per ________ for ________years

                       (M)onth, (Q)uarter, (Y)ear         1, 2, 3 or 4

 

v Pledge date range:  

Start________ Month/Year      End ___________ Month/Year

 

       o Receive Church Planter prayer letters.  (Please DO NOT check if you are currently receiving the prayer letter)

 

       o Agree that funds may be advanced to the church planter based on the above pledge with my (our) understanding that as I (we) continue to give in fulfillment of my (our) pledge, I (we) are replenishing to MNA the funds MNA has advanced to Ken Cross.

 

NAME________________________________________

        (Title, Mr., Mrs., Ms.)         (First)          (Last Name)

 

ADDRESS______________________________

 

CITY_______________________  STATE___________  ZIP_______

 

TELEPHONE________________________ 

EMAIL_______________

 

SIGNATURE______________________________ 

DATE _____________

 

Please make checks payable and mail to: 

Mission to North America

1700 N. Brown Road Suite 101

Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8143

                                                   

 o  I would like information on electronic funds giving.

This contribution will be made with the understanding that Mission to North America has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds, to assure their use for the intended exempt purposes.