Stewardship - More Than Money

Today we introduce our stewardship program and this year’s theme, More than Enough. That is meant to capture a way of thinking that opens our lives and hands in generosity to others.

How well are we doing at that? One survey of 153 countries puts Canadians in the top five in the world when it comes to giving our money and time to charity. Congratulations! That’s impressive.

The survey also found that people are more likely to donate their money than their time. That’s intriguing. I’m not sure I know what that means.

Does this mean that our schedules are more valuable than our money?
Does it mean that we find it easier to write a cheque than to volunteer? Does it mean we need to put more of our time into opening doors for our church community and others to find a meaningful way to become involved?

Or maybe we don’t feel that we have more than enough time. Some people seem to have all the time in the world. Others are caring for children, parents, or friends and don’t feel they have a spare moment for themselves.

And still others are finding new meaning in sharing themselves with others.
One of the best stewardship testimonies I’ve seen recently came from Theo Fleury, the former NHL hockey player and abuse survivor. He said, “The experience of getting your life back together makes you a quality human being. You’ve got so much more to give,” Well said, Theo.


Peter

Jesus, Wine and Celebration

I regularly visit Home-brewed Christianity and recently saw a blog about What Would Jesus Brew? It sparked some thoughts. Since I am getting ready to get back into home brewing, thanks to a friend who passed on his equipment, this felt timely.

I wonder if a few years from now Emmanuel might have it’s own little Oktoberfest. If we can’t serve God’s hoppy gift at our bazaar maybe we could do a visit to VanKleek Hill and try out some of that wonderful Beau’s Lug Tread Lager at their Oktoberfest next year. There’s a reason this company is winning awards.

Jesus drank with the best of them. And with those with whom society did not sit down with. And his purpose was not escape. His purpose was to widen and deepen the circle of faith. Celebrating a wedding, he made 150 gallons of wine. That’s about 800 bottles. This was a celebration of a new union and a time to rejoice.

In those days it was less dangerous than today. Instead of driving home in a dangerous weapon, all you did was fall off a donkey. Still the social issue of alcoholism and dangerous driving must be considered. But the Bible is able to speak to the dangers while still lauding the gift.

We could learn from that.

Peter

Love of God Creates Moderates

Just because a pastor and congregation in Gainesville did not go through with a threat to burn 200 Qur’ans does not mean the end of hatred towards Islam. Qur’ans were burnt in Kansas, Michigan and Tennessee. Pages were torn out of the Qur’an outside the White House. Two people died in riots in Afghanistan at the thought of this action.


According to Religious News Services, Laleh Bakhtiar, the first woman to translate the Qur’an into English sees in this controversy, a theological difference between both Muslims and Christians who see God as a vengeful or a loving presence.


“If it’s fear of God , then you get these extremists. When you teach the love of God, then you become a moderate.”


It would be good to see the moderates become more vocal about this loving, peaceful God, more intentional about building bridges. Canada needs communities like this.



Peter