WELS congregation is "giving back"
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
In spite of the title, this is not a story about money. Rather it's a story about God's amazing blessings. This week I learned of a WELS congregation and its thankful members—and of their willingness to share generously their blessings in order to support the synod's work of spreading the gospel.
Sola Fide Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville, Ga., relocated a number of years ago to a new 22-acre site. In recent years, the area around the new property began to develop. In December 2007, the congregation was able to sell about half of their property to a developer for far more than they paid for it. Sola Fide was able to pay off its mortgage and put money aside into a new account to be used for future needs.
But there's more to this story of unexpected blessings from God.
The members of Sola Fide recalled that their congregation was begun as a WELS mission some years ago. So they decided that this was an opportunity for them to use part of this gift from God to "give back." They are investing a portion of the proceeds in WELS Church Extension Fund (CEF). CEF helped Sola Fide construct its first building in the 70s, then acquire new property and construct new worship facilities. The members of Sola Fide are "giving back" so CEF can continue to help new mission congregations build their first worship facilities.
The congregation is also sending $35,000 to a neighboring mission congregation. They are "giving back" to the mission board of their district, which has been so instrumental in the establishment of their own congregation and continues to assist in planting new missions.
There's more. The congregation is sending a gift of $200,000 to the synod as a Congregation Mission Offering to be used by the synod in the best way possible. They are "giving back" to the synod in recognition of how the ongoing mission of the synod is to plant new congregations and to develop new mission fields for the spread of the gospel.
In addition, the congregation is sending another $35,000 for a building fund for our Caribbean mission in St. Lucia. They are "giving back" because of close connections their congregation has with the work in St. Lucia.
This story does mention money and gifts. But it is not a story about money. It's a story about God's amazing blessings—the spiritual blessings of the gospel as it works in the hearts of people, and the physical blessings of God that flow constantly and abundantly. It's a story about a group of God's people who endured challenges and shortages, but who never allowed themselves to be distracted from their purpose as a Christian congregation, and who never set aside their trust in God's promises. It's a story about thankfulness, dedication, and commitment. It's a story about a congregation who is happy to "give back" to God for his work because they recognize that God is the giver of their gifts in the first place.
Pastor Michael Schultz wrote to me on behalf of the members of Sola Fide: "As you experience the joys and face the challenges, which are a natural part of the call God has given you, we hope this event is a bit of sunshine. We realize money for ministry pales in comparison to having as our deliverer the Sun of Righteousness who has risen over us with healing in his wings. His grace be on us all."
Filed Under: CMO, donation, gift
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