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Dear friends,
I’ve invited our vestry members to share their thoughts about what it means to be a member of St Stephen’s and about why pledging is important to them. I do it every year, but I don’t think I’ve shared my own personal story and I suppose I shouldn’t ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself.
My journey with financial stewardship and pledging has had its twists and turns, uphills and downhills, unexpected stop signs, and varying speed limits. Over the years I’ve felt guilt, shame, fear, joy, and gratitude around pledge time. I remember feeling so relieved when the stewardship chair stopped asking for money and the ‘pledge-drive’ was finally over. It took me years to make a connection between making an annual pledge to my church and deepening my relationship with God. I am a late bloomer!
Once I let go of the guilt and shame for not pledging at all or not pledging enough, giving became easier. I went from reluctantly giving out of obligation to giving with gratitude because I had something to give (no matter the amount), and because I knew in my heart that giving to the church was right and good and necessary if the church was going to further the kingdom of God. There have been times when I have not been able to give much at all, and others when I’ve given more. Life happens and circumstances change. Thankfully, God’s love for us doesn’t change!
Making and honoring my pledge has become a three-fold spiritual discipline. I include God in my discernment, praying for humility, wisdom, and trust. I try to increase my pledge every year, even if it’s a tiny amount. And, I make a personal commitment to pay my pledge weekly, putting a check in the plate every Sunday, rather than catching up twice a year. That, by the way, is something I have failed miserably at!
I plan to continue my spiritual discipline this year - make a pledge, increase it a bit from last time, and commit to putting my pledge contribution in the plate on Sunday’s so that it can be presented with thanksgiving at the altar. God knows I need extra help with that last part and that’s part of the point. It is a spiritual discipline. It keeps me connected to God in a specific way. It reminds me of what I can do because of what God is doing in me. There’s hope yet!
Grace and peace,
Karen+
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