MenuLAYING HOLD OF THE REAL LIFE
Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of a child of God (or the children of God, in case of a congregation) in managing all of life and God’s blessings for God’s purposes. In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages the young pastor to exhort God’s people “… to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
At Holy Cross, we believe our congregational giving should reflect our mission: “Together in God’s Word and love, we boldly go to sow and grow Christ’s kingdom.” We are mindful that our congregation can, should, and does help other ministry organizations in different and meaningful ways besides financial contributions from our regular tithes.
One of the ministries we do help through a small portion of our regular tithing is MinistryFocus – a volunteer, non-profit Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. MinistryFocus seeks to alleviate the educational debt burdens of church workers – debt burdens which can cause irreparable harm to ministries and congregations. Through Loan Repayment Assistance grants – 12 months of partial loan repayment assistance – MinistryFocus walks with a family for a year to help ministries thrive, all so that the faith of believers is strengthened and more people might come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Here is an unsolicited email recently received from one of the 2019 recipients:
To the loan repayment panel at MinistryFOCUS;
As I reached half way through the year I was thinking back on how it began. Of course you all know that my husband suddenly lost his vision at the beginning of the year, and I frantically began to think of the bills that were going to be coming as a result of hospital stays at 2 different hospitals, and 2 different years of medical deductibles to pay. Not to mention all the other financial responsibilities in our lives, and the possibility of being the only financial provider in my family.
I am so thankful to you MinistryFOCUS, for allowing me to apply for your annual grant late. This truly shows what a MINISTRY you all are. I was also breathless when I found out I was a recipient. Ben and I were being denied for many different government and state aids that we thought were there for when this type of tragedy strikes. You were our first, and only yes, and one of the many blessings that we saw during this season of our lives.
Ben has been slowly healing though out the year, and now the left side of both eyes he can see as though he is looking through a blurred bug coated wind shield. It’s not all there, but enough to where he can work, and drive without any restrictions.
We were still 4 months without a dual income and are still waiting for him to get onto his works less expensive insurance, but because of this grant I was able to provide and keep my called status in the school. Social security tax and student loans are the biggest bills in our finances and what were going to be the most help to our budget if we needed to pinch our pennies. Not having to defer my loans, not feeling the guilt of having to return my call, helped me emotionally though all of this.
Thank you for the work you do, and the support you give your called workers. I am in awe of the amazing work God can do though these ministries.
Blessings as you prepare for the next half of the year. – [2019 grant recipient who serves as a Lutheran schoolteacher]