How do we use our gifts?
After worship on Sunday morning First Christian Church gathered for our first fellowship dinner since the pandemic began two years ago. Eddie and Tracy Pope put in a lot of effort frying fish and the sides everyone brought were absolutely delicious. More than anything, it was simply a blessing to be back together again face to face.
In addition to the food that was shared, it was also the first session of our ongoing conversations about how we use the gifts we have as a congregation. As people sat down to their tables, there were four cards and four questions to answer. Candice taught us about the asset based planning approach they used while they were serving as missionaries in Uganda. The elders and board have been learning about that process over the last few months and it is going to guide how we discuss our future as a church.
Most of us were taught to focus on needs and what is broken, but asset based planning starts by asking what we have and then figure out how to apply those gifts to the world around us. The problem is that we are not Jesus. We cannot meet all the needs around us and will burn ourselves out by trying. Also, not everyone is equipped to do every thing. The key is to make sure that gifts, talents, and resources align.
The first question was designed to help us understand who we are as a church. People shared what first brought them to our congregation. The sense of fellowship, hospitality of friends and family, and accepting atmosphere all contributed to bring people through our doors. There was great deal of appreciation for the freedom of belief that is inherent in being part of the Disciples of Christ.
As we looked to the future of the church, there was a great deal of celebration of the fact that so much of what brought us together remains true. Even though we have changed in numbers and people, the basic personality of the congregation has stayed the same. We are still seeking to follow God’s lead. The joy of fellowship was felt still around the tables in the room. Essentially, we are still the people we have always been, with the opportunities for service and relief from financial worries provided by the gift we have received from the Mary Helen Thrower estate.
Everyone and every church has specific gifts given to them by God to use. Asset based planning is figuring out what we have and how we can best use them. Part of the challenge is that gifts are only useful if we can use them. The most expensive piano is simply inconvenient furniture if we do not have the musicians to play it. Our beautiful building is simply a warehouse for stained glass unless we use it for worship and ministry.
This is why we asked what talents we see in the congregation. The loving DNA of our congregation is demonstrated by the compassion we have for each other and the community. Our hospitality is demonstrated by the way we are able to make our facility a warm and inviting place to fellowship, praise God in song, and learn more about Jesus in Bible study and worship.
Initially there was a conversation about the gifts that might be going unused. However, the group decided on its own to refocus the conversation on what we are doing. Of course, we grieve those who are no longer with us or not as engaged as they once were, but we recognize that God is still doing amazing things with the blessings we have been given. The group chose instead to focus on those gifts and give thanks for the opportunities they provide.
Sometimes volunteers in the church feel forced into things that they do not enjoy doing or are not called to do. Forcing square pegs into round holes is not sustainable or fair to the people involved. People will get burned out or feel taken advantage of. When we do things we enjoy the church benefits from more committed Disciples. Of course, hard work still needs to happen. Dishes need washed and bills need paid. However, even unglamorous efforts can be fulfilling when we believe in what we are doing.
This is why we asked the group what they most enjoy doing at church. The ideas of fellowship, acts of care and compassion, worship, and service to the community all came up again and again. All of this means that we are doing something right. Overall, we seem to enjoy using the talents we have been given.
Over the past several months I have been asked the question, “what are we going to do with the money?” The gift we received was placed into a money market account so it will continue to accrue interest. The board is ultimately responsible for making financial decisions and has established the stewardship, endowment, and memorial teams to help them manage the day to day efforts. Because of the size of the gift and the fact that part of it is still going through probate, it will be a series of decisions rather than just one. This is why we are having a several listening sessions. Sunday was only the start of the process.
This is why the conversation began with the question, “what comes next?” Focusing on the next step of our journey together allows us to take our time and listen for what God is calling us to do. Two immediate next steps came out of the discussion, and neither of them required spending any new money.
Gifts in motion
First of all, there was a desire for more fellowship dinners. People said how much they enjoyed eating together. It was a sign of recovery and a reminder of why we are part of this particular congregation. Several people offered to share their talents grilling, cooking, or cleaning. In short: talent, interest, and opportunities all aligned. We are going to build on that reality and are planning another dinner again next month.
Secondly, a group of people expressed a desire for a more streamlined way of helping the community. Seven people came together to brainstorm possibilities of bringing together the pastor’s discretionary fund and our outreach efforts with our new electronic forms of communication. Again: talent, interest, and opportunities all aligned. Saving grace ministry is in the process of development. Look for more information on that in the next few weeks.
By focusing on what comes next we are able to take our time, gather information, learn more about who we are as a church, while continuing to do ministry as we go. It is a process of experimentation and learning while we build momentum. I encourage you to be a part of the process. If you would like to share your talents in hospitality, get involved in our monthly fellowship dinners. If you have a passion for serving the community, become a part of Saving Grace. If you have a passion for financial management, get involved in the teams that support our church’s ability to do ministry.
Wherever you serve, thank you. Thank you for the talents you shared with us on Sunday. Thank you for the conversations. Thank you for the excitement, fellowship, and two new ministry opportunities which were made possible by the gift of fried fish.
