by Erik Ely, Generis
When I was in college getting my degree in theology there were many great things that I was taught. I studied every book of the bible. I took Greek; although my professor may debate this claim. I had classes in pastoral theology, systematic theology, hermeneutics, and homiletics. I even had to take a class in how to lead music. Even though there we many things that my college taught me, there were many things that it did not teach me. One area that it did not teach me about was how important it would be to teach people about living as a generous Christian. That’s not an indictment toward my college, I am hard pressed to find any college or seminary that teaches anything significant about biblical generosity. But let me ask you this, pastor, how much of your time is spent dealing with finances? This may include budgets, financial reports, making financial decisions, analyzing income, and navigating the waters of bank financing, let alone teaching your people about what the bible has to say about stewardship and generosity. Even if we did get some teaching from our respective institution I am sure it was from a business perspective and not a spiritual perspective.
You see if you are reading this blog you are considering going on one of the biggest adventures of your life. You again find yourself dealing with buildings and finances; two areas that you did not learn about in seminary. This journey of building will be scary, frustrating, challenging, and rewarding, faith building and fantastic all at the same time. If our mindset is that a financial transaction needs to take place in order to raise the money then you have missed the point. First we need to view this as a spiritual adventure not only for your congregation, but also for you personally. How are you going to grow in your relationship with God through this? How is God going to change you as a leader? Then as the spiritual leader of your congregation what would God have you teach your people about biblical generosity?
As the pastor, one of the things you have to do to raise money is ask for it. This is what pastors dread the most. But when you go at this with a discipleship approach instead of a transactional approach the experience becomes rewarding and fulfilling. Some pastors even say it is fun!
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