Giving to 'Think Big'

(Listen to the Think Big vision ready for the launch of our giving adventure on Sunday 22nd November!)

There’s been lots of words about St. Peters, but if we were to distil our vision for it into one sentence it would be this:

St. Peter's will help us to see the long term transformation of Loughborough, through prayer (ongoing and persistent) and through projects (serving the poor & marginalised).

On Nov 22nd we are having a Joint Gathering where we will be asking everyone to bring their one off gifts and their monthly pledge. As a Leadership Team we want everyone to know what our approach is to this giving adventure that we’re about to embark upon. There are some things we will do and some things we won’t do…

1) We won’t pressure anyone to give. We are not about squeezing money from people that they don’t want to give. Only give if you can do it cheerfully. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Cor 9:7. Don’t give reluctantly because that’s the opposite of what God wants.

2) We won’t know who gives what. As with our regular giving, the leadership team will know neither who is giving nor how much they are giving. Only the person who manages our finances will know this.

But…

1) We will show how everyone can give something, because we want everyone to get to play a part. A lot of people in OH are students, unwaged or on low income and end up thinking they can’t give or that what they can give seems so small that it’s not even worth it. But that’s not how God sees it. In fact, the story of the widow who gave her 2 coins compared to the rich man who gave out of his wealth shows her receiving the highest commendation from Jesus, saying her 2 coins were worth more than the big bucks. We would say to everyone that if you want to give, there are ways to give. Even those with no income can make a commitment in faith to give over 3 years e.g. £2/week would be £100 a year, which over 3 years is £300.

2) We will ask people to sacrifice. Without apology. We wouldn’t ask people to sacrifice for anything other than the advancement of God’s Kingdom. When we give to the Kingdom of God, we’re giving to something that will outlast us all. Some of you may even give and leave before we actually move into St. Peter's, but you are giving for those yet to come and leaving a bit of your legacy here in Loughborough.

We believe we cannot become more like Jesus unless we learn to sacrifice and give generously John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave…” We form more of Christ’s qualities in us when we give and sacrifice.

3) We will ask you to have a conversation with God and hear from him. We are not asking anyone to give more than what God is asking of them. But we would ask that you hear from God so that you do not just give by reason (what can I afford?) but by revelation (asking God to put a figure in your mind that will be a genuine sacrifice causing you to depend on him). John 2:5 says “Do whatever he tells you”. Ask him amounts and also ask him how.

What can we expect?

1) Growth & freedom. God knows what a hold money can have on us and as we give away, we grow. We learn to throw ourselves on him in new ways, we learn to hear his voice and step out in obedience. We learn faith, risk and adventure. It actually feels really good to give! Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive” It’s true. Anyone who doesn’t understand that hasn’t tried it. It’s really not about 'give until it hurts'. It’s about give until it feels great. Anyone who has cultivated generosity knows this is true.

2) Provision & miracles e.g. unexpected income, inheritance, selling something for a lot more than you thought it would sell for.

3) Contesting. When we take ground we must not be surprised when our lives get disrupted.

We want to write to all ex-Open Heaveners and parents to invite them to take part, so if you think your parents (or someone else you know) would like to receive more information from us about ‘Think Big – the St. Peter's Project, please email Lizzie with their address.

Thanks guys

Love

The Leadership Team

Posted by: Ness Wilson on Thursday Nov 5th, 2009

Comments

Logged-in members can post comments on openheaven.org news articles.

Back