A Word from Pastor Nathan

Dear Friends:

Stewardship season is here, and I look forward to sharing Consecration Day with you on Sunday. Washington Avenue Christian Church is a congregation that takes stewardship seriously. We do this in two ways: Our members practice stewardship as being Disciples of Christ, and our church itself practices stewardship through its outreach. This aspect of our common life is one of the many reasons I ’m proud to partner with you in mutual ministry.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has an incredible resource through the Center for Faith and Giving, which the Rev. Bruce Barkhauer leads. You may remember meeting Bruce when he visited WACC a few years ago with then -General Minister and President the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins.

Bruce wrote a brief text, Community of Prayer: Stewardship Devotional, in 2016 that is a must read. He writes, “Stewardship is not fundraising —it is a spiritual discipline. It is about responding with our whole being to the generosity of God. Stewardship impacts every aspect of life. How unfortunate for us that we have reduced this rich biblical concept to being simply about money. Perhaps the greatest sin of all is that we have made it about budgets and board reports instead of about that life -giving adventure and an invitation to discover deeper joy in discipleship.” When we understand stewardship transcends money and percentages, our faith invites us to imagine yet -to -be -dared possibilities for the work of God through the church.

As we prayerfully consider how we will steward time, talent, and treasure toward making a commitment for 2019, Bruce urges his readers to begin “from a place of wonder and ‘wow,’ [which] opens the possibility that we can find delight and satisfaction in sharing and in our own practice of stewardship.” Each time I am with you —in worship, committee meetings, or in the community —my response is always, “Wow! Look at this incredible congregation.” Of course, this sense of awe and wonder grows exponentially as God ’s grace continues to make itself known in our midst. This “Wow!” factor encourages me to be generous toward God and God ’s church. What makes you say, “Wow!” as you marvel at God ’s work through WACC?

Whatever that spark is that inspires your stewardship and discipleship, I thank you for partnering with God and Washington Avenue Christian Church as we grow our faith through generosity.

Peace abundant,

Nathan