January 5, 2019 Local Church Budget Negative Inventory. at This Time Of
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January 5, 2019 January 12, 2019 Local Church Budget Local Conference Advance Negative inventory. At this time of year, many stores are “Over and above.” Several years ago, our church needed to involved in taking inventory as they prepare to file their raise a large amount of money to pay off its mortgage. A very business tax returns. One of the terms that has come out of this experienced retired Adventist stewardship director was hired to process is “negative inventory.” lead the campaign. A large kickoff banquet was held and pledges were taken. But one thing he often emphasized was As they attempt to reconcile their computer records between this catchy phrase, “over and above.” the goods they believe they have on hand and the actual amount, sometimes there is an unaccountable difference. Sadly, Because of the ongoing needs of the church—bills that must be “negative inventory” reflects goods that are no longer there due paid and ministries that needed to be funded—he wanted to to shoplifting or employee dishonesty. impress upon us that we absolutely not take from our giving to the local church budget or other offerings in order to give to the This is a good time for us as Christians to take stock of our campaign. But that anything we pledged must be “over and giving and lay good, solid plans to be faithful in this new year. above” all other giving. What does “faithful” actually mean? God’s Word in Malachi As we, the givers, bought into this plan, an unusual thing tells us: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there happened. During the five years it took us to retire the church may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith debt, tithes and other offerings went on the increase! How the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of incredible! But, you see, we were excited about our church! heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10, KJV, emphasis Unfortunately, after the campaign, it was “business as usual,” supplied). and the increase in offerings reverted back to its normal level. Aren’t people funny? As we begin this new year, let’s ask God to help us be faithful in our return of tithe and giving of offerings. We don’t want Let us all be solid, faithful stewards! This Sabbath, as we give any negative inventory in God’s house! for our local conference needs, let’s get excited about our fine conference-wide ministries such as church building programs, camp meeting, summer camps, and many other worthy endeavors. And let’s remember, “Over and above!” January 19, 2019 January 26, 2019 Local Church Budget Religious Liberty MLK. My wife and I happened to be in Memphis, Tennessee, Religious Liberty. Nothing is more important than liberty of in early April of 1968, visiting friends. They took us on a ride conscience and religious freedom. We were created to serve by to the motel where Martin Luther King, Jr., had just been choice, and Christ came to free us from the result of bad assassinated on April 4. It was not yet a memorial; just a choices. The good news of the Gospel is a message of freedom. second-story room roped off with police tape. We stood there mute, thinking about the tragedy that had recently occurred. It It is no accident that the Adventist church has championed was a solemn moment, and in our thoughts, we paid tribute to religious liberty from its very beginnings. Early Adventists one whom we now consider to be a great hero of our nation, a suffered steep fines and even chain gang imprisonment under victim of prevailing racial hatred. abusive Sunday blue laws. Our prophetic imperative told us that even in a land of blessed freedoms, powerful forces will Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and again try to compel all to worship falsely. activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement. He is best known for his role in Our church early on opposed a national Sunday law before the advancement of civil rights using the tactics of nonviolence Congress. Our church for well over 100 years has sent Liberty and civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs and magazine to legislators and community leaders to clarify the inspired by the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi. – great issues of conscience. Our church has defended Adventists Wikipedia. in the workplace. And by radio, television, and a myriad of member events and outreach events, it keeps the freedom bells So here we are more than 50 years since his death. We reflect ringing. on other heroes from many lands, such as Mother Teresa, Martin Luther, and Nelson Mandela. Our church has had In this offering today, you are making all this a continuing heroes and special people as well, and continues to have them. reality. Give as if your very liberties are at stake. They are. If the watchmen cry not, who will give the warning?—Lincoln Undoubtedly, the great majority of heroes remain unsung and Steed, editor Liberty magazine and associate director of Public unknown. Today, we have the opportunity to be heroes for Affairs and Religious Liberty, North American Division. Christ and His church, by being faithful to our calling. Please give generously today. February 2, 2019 February 9, 2019 Local Church Budget It Is Written Canada Groundhog Day. Even Punxsutawney Phil has his day in the This morning all across Canada on CTV over 100,000 people sun! As we consider this whimsical, legendary creature that are tuning into the It Is Written Canada broadcast. Through the supposedly makes his appearance each February and predicts visionary leadership of Henry Feyerabend, It Is Written the soon advent of Spring, we know that in some minds the Canada is the leading media ministry in market penetration in groundhog or woodchuck is a nuisance, raiding gardens and all of the North American Division. But more than just a media leaving big holes in the ground. On the plus side, however, ministry, It Is Written Canada is committed to taking the three their abandoned dens provide homes for foxes and skunks that angels messages to all of Canada and around the world. in turn eat mice and destructive field insects. And groundhogs are even used in biomedical research. Their susceptibility to a It Is Written Canada continues to emphasize evangelism in virus similar to human hepatitis B has made them valuable to many different areas. Comprehensive evangelism is a key to researchers in finding a cure for the human affliction. making a major impact in the villages, towns, and cities across Canada. By working with churches for several years in advance Who would have thought! But then, who would have thought in many different areas of ministry, these churches are able to that a church organization that began with a handful of impact their communities with the gospel. The continued work believers in the mid-1800s would now number well over 20 in city-wide evangelism projects also helps in the development million! This is all because of our wonderful Adventist of resources for local churches across Canada for evangelism. message and our deep devotion to evangelism, both public and personal. And it is no doubt also due to our faithfulness in It Is Written Canada continues to emphasize the work in the tithes and offerings, which fund the mission. North. Through the faithful donations of people like you, It Is Written Canada has been able to deliver Bibles, study guides, When you think about it, however, the early Christians in Acts and DVD resources to the Inuit in Nunavut in their native 2 had no organizational infrastructure, but what they did have language. Your continued support will help fund Bible workers was lots of love for one another. They provided strongly for the to the North and in helping to build church community centres needy among them, and they went forth preaching the Word in in the major communities of Nunavut. great faith. Today, the offering being taken throughout Canada is to Let us today demonstrate great faith and love as we return a support the work It Is Written Canada. Please be generous with faithful tithe and give liberally to the needs of our your prayers and offerings. congregation. February 16, 2019 February 23, 2019 Local Church Budget Local Conference Advance Christian Parenting Day. While we have been called to go out President’s Day. George Washington, the first U.S. President into the world and make disciples for Jesus, we can’t forget and “father of our country,” was highly respected for his that we have a mission field inside the walls of our own home. integrity, leadership, and strong character. While the story of Ellen G. White wrote in the book, The Adventist Home, “Our his chopping down the cherry tree may be apocryphal, it does work for Christ is to begin with the family, in the home…There portray his honesty. His humility is shown in his reluctance to is no missionary field more important than this” (p. 35). serve as President, despite having led his troops to victory in the Revolutionary War. And his true heart showed up in the As parents, we play the most important role in the life of our fact that he was the only president to completely free his slaves children as we disciple them to be followers of Jesus and at his death.