Major Fund Raising Drive

There are things a local church pastor should not know about the congregation that she or he serves. Primary among those things, I believe,  is the level of financial contribution of individual participants in the life of the church.

Imagine receiving two calls for pastoral assistance and being aware that one family who is calling contributes tens of thousands of dollars every year to the life of the church, while the other call is made by a family who does not contribute financially. What does the pastor do? In order to avoid such possible dilemma, I have found it better to remain in the dark about individual and family levels of giving.

There are times and occasions, however, when the pastor is privy to financial information. Sometimes that can be a cause for celebration.

Yesterday was a special day around Shiloh Church. Not only did we celebrate the arrival of more than a thousand pumpkins in the church's annual Pumpkin Patch - after unloading them, of course, because who is going to celebrate before unloading thousands of pumpkins? It was also a day when the congregation was going to meet a challenge that was made at its September 15 congregational meeting. That challenge was for members and friends of Shiloh Church to bring additional financial gifts to the life of the congregation. A member said that she and her partner would bring an additional $1,000 check, and she challenged others to do likewise.

We heard from a few families, throughout the course of the following weeks, who were planning to make just such an additional gift. Some were the challenged $1,000. Some were $500. Many were less, but no less appreciated.

I want to tell you the story of one of those gifts.

They are twenty-somethings who have just purchased their first home together. Both he and she are employed full time. They are blessed and they know it. Things are tight, though. There is not an unending source of expendable income, having a new mortgage, ongoing educational expenses, a house to maintain and improve, a wedding to plan, careers to map out, and uncertain financial times.

Our expectation might be that this young couple might make a small additional contribution.

But no.

He wrote a thousand dollar check. He put in Sunday's offering plate, in addition to their normal contribution.

I am inspired by this young family's willingness to risk, to dare to contribute at such a challenging level. Surely, they believe in Shiloh Church. Surely they have invested themselves in the congregation's mission and ministry. They have demonstrated excellent leadership.

Sometimes, pastors get to tell fabulous financial stories. This is one of them. Thanks to all who dare financially, who risk, who take such bold steps. Upon your faith rests the present and the future of the Church.