What Would Happen if the Church Tithed?

I recently came across an interesting article out of Relevant Magazine, asking this very question. As a missionary supported by the generosity of the Church, it perked my interest. Check it out here.

Some interesting numbers:

• Tithers make up only 10-25 percent of a normal congregation. 
• Only 5 percent of the U.S. tithes, with 80 percent of Americans only giving 2 percent of their income. 
• Christians are only giving at 2.5 percent per capita, while during the Great Depression they gave at a 3.3 percent rate. 

The article unpacks some huge things that could be accomplished if the church tithed a full 10% ; some pretty staggering statistics.

What it hit on that was most important, though, was that giving is not necessarily a money issue as much as it is a heart issue. It's hard to trust the Lord with our money and when Jesus tells us "where your treasure is, your heart will be also", it brings conviction. Aimee and I tithe ourselves and it's not always an easy check to write.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

2 Corinthians 9:7

I know that sending in a gift to GCM each month can be hard to let go of sometimes. I understand the pressures of finances and I want to thank you for giving cheerfully and for putting your treasure in furthering the kingdom. I don't take your gifts lightly and do my best to fulfill the responsibilities handed to me as a missionary here at Mizzou. Your support means the world to me.

Chris

Rock Staff Retreat 2013

We were really suffering for the Lord this past week in Colorful Colorado.

The Rock Staff & (most of our) Associate Staff traveled over 800 miles out to Estes Park, Colorado for our annual Staff Retreat. We reconnected, prayed and dreamed through our vision and strategy for bringing the Gospel to Mizzou, planned through our first few weeks in the Fall, prayed some more and were counseled by a pastor friend through connection as a staff team.

And what better way to team build than to go white water rafting? We ventured north to Ft. Collins and were taken on an 8-mile run by one of our Colorado-native students (who doubles as a raft guide), Casey, on the Poudre River. After five of us ended up swimming in class 3 and 4 rapids at any given point, we survived and have a story to share as a team.

Mostly importantly, we sought the Lord and he met us in a big way in Colorado. I've come back refreshed, focused and beginning the final weeks of summer dedicated to seeking the Lord.

Join me in praying for provision in raising $245 in regular monthly gifts and in preparation for the Fall.

God bless,
Chris

July 2013 Prayer Letter

On the eve of our Staff Retreat, I am excited to share with you some support updates and what has been going on here at The Summer Rock as well as some new associate staff!

Take care,
Chris

Our Summer Goal

This Summer, Aimee and I are meeting with current financial supporters, past special gift partners and prayer partners to reconnect and share about our support goal. We are also hoping to meet with new people to share with them about what God is doing here at the University of Missouri and the joy we get to play some small part in it.

We are hoping to raise $500/month in regular gifts.

Why are we raising this?

• Though our finances are fine, for my career in vocational ministry to be sustainable long-term, we need  to increase our financial support.
• To pursue seminary classes, the funds need to be there.
• To be more generous with our students
• As we begin thinking about having children, we want to be financially stable for Aimee to take some time off and for compensating for new expenses that would incur.
• Because we are trusting that God wants us to be fully-supported and this is the next step in pursuing that.

It's pretty bold and we are really trusting the Lord in this request. Please join us in prayer and if you are interested in setting up a gift, know that you are meeting a very tangible need. And thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Go over to my Giving Information page for help in getting started with a gift.

Fuel and the Flame

I've begun re-reading The Fuel and the Flame by Steve Shadrach. Aimed at campus missionaries, pastors and student leaders in such ministries, Shadrach inspires us to believe in the strategic impact that sharing the Gospel on the college campus provides while reminding us how crucial it is to build our spiritual foundation before doing so. He gives plenty of principles, stories and encouragements on how to do so while keeping us rooted in Scripture.

The Rock purchased dozens of these books about a month or so ago and the Core Leaders of our Community Group have begun reading it. They've already been discussing the book on our Facebook Group page! It's so cool to see these guys and girls excited about serving together as leaders in the Fall.

A couple things have stood out to me already. First is a quote on the first page:

"One of the greatest things we can do for any student is to help give him or her an outward focus, instead of the inward one that most bring with them to college."

The vision for something greater than ourselves is one of the most essential things we, as humans, need to latch on to in order to live to our potential and to be happy. In a society that is so self-absorbed, we desperately need to understand the significance of the Gospel and to be reminded that our life is about Christ and the spreading of this Gospel. Life is not about our next Facebook update, tweet or Instagram post. It's not about how much money we make or who we're going to marry. It's not about how we look on the outside but about the positioning of our hearts in such a way that we live like we believe the Good News of Jesus Christ is actually something worth living for.

Usually what throws us off course are morally neutral (or even admirable) things that we let take the place of God. They become the ultimate: goal setting, checking off tasks, moving on to the next thing, distractions, living for the weekend, time with friends/ family, etc, etc. Instead, God wants to use these things to bring Him glory and to make His name known. When we are in harmony with that, these things can actually bring the fulfillment they are meant to (except those distractions, of course).

I'm excited again to remember how crucial it is that we're on the campus - the place that is feeding our next generation of leaders and world-changers, emotionally, academically and spiritually. Thank you for joining me in bringing the Gospel to these students, for sacrificing finances and for laboring with me in prayer because you believe in something greater than yourselves.