I really feel like God is using this season at Restoration City to strengthen and prepare our church for greater impact in our city and world.  That’s the heart behind our Membership Renewal Process and our Connected & Committed Giving Commitments.  As we get ready to bring our Connected & Committed Giving Commitments to our gathering this Sunday, I want to make sure we’re all on the same page with why we do this and what I’m asking as well as let you know how I’m praying as we head into this Sunday.

Why Connected & Committed?

There are two really simple answers to this one:

1.  Our fiscal year runs from September 1 – August 31st and we present the annual budget to our members for a vote at a Congregational Meeting in late July.  So, we’re in the early stages of pulling that budget together. In order to do that responsibly, we need to get a sense of what our giving will be for next year.  Rather than guess, we ask.
2. Our weekly attendance has increased by 37% since we started meeting at Gunston in July but our internal giving has only increased by 6.5% during that same period.  In some ways, that’s how it should be – nobody expects you to start giving the week you start attending a church.  But if you’ve made Restoration City your church home, I want to ask you to pray about investing in our mission.  Something like Connected & Committed creates an easy opportunity for you to start giving regularly to our mission.

What Am I Asking?

Simple answer: Fill the card out and bring it with you on Sunday!

Complete Answer:  Pray about what God is asking you to give next year.

If you’re currently giving to Restoration City, I would love to have you doing what Laura and I are – reevaluating your budget and planning your generosity for next year.  That may mean you end up giving the same, more or less than you are giving now.  However the Lord leads, I’m convinced the discipline of planning out your generosity for the coming year will have tremendous benefits for your budget and your soul.

If you’re not currently giving to Restoration City and consider this your church home, I’m asking you to set up a recurring donation on CCB.  God is opening a lot of doors for us as a church to be serving our city but we can’t walk through them without your generosity.  So, please, consider partnering with us financially.

How Am I Praying?

“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.  And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” – Luke 21:1-4

No, I’m not praying you give all of your savings to the church!  Nor am I praying for a couple of really big commitments (although we’ll take ’em!).  I am praying that a lot of us will participate.  You may only be able to give $20 a month or even $5 – that’s awesome!  Don’t you dare believe that Jesus would be more honored if you gave $2,000 or $500.  He delights in a heart that trusts Him and is captivated by the gospel enough to sacrificially give towards the advancement of the gospel that changed everything for us.

I’m really hopeful for all the Lord is going to do for His glory and the good of our city this summer and in the year to come.  Let’s be motivated by that as we pray over our Connected & Committed Giving Commitments for this Sunday.