Do we really need another "thing"?

How many boxes of chocolate covered cherries will be bought this year for Christmas?

What about another coffee mug or tie tack?

Do you ever find yourself buying things for people because you can’t think of anything else?

What about making a donation to a worthwhile cause in their name? This saves the recipient yet another mug to clutter up their cabinet and it allows the giver to do something to better the world. That is exactly what a family in Temple, Texas did. Instead of buying presents for one another, they put that money toward a charity.

Imagine the number of bed nets that is eradicating malaria that could be bought. Or imagine the number of scholarships that could be awarded through the United Methodist Student Day Offering.

This year, rethink church and rethink giving. Think more about the impact of your gift rather than the material value. Personally, I don’t need yet another pair of fuzzy slippers. I’d rather my family purchase a bed net.

Motivation...

As I was reflecting on what to write this blog entry (and I promise they will be more frequent), I continued to think about motivation. What motivates people to give? And I don't just mean money, but also time, talents and possessions.

What motivates people to give? Is it for the tax benefit? Is it for positive publicity? Is it because people inherently want to give back? Is it to emulate a good example to others? Is it a conviction of duty? Is it expected?

So, then I reflected on myself. What motivates me to give?

I consistently think the same thing: I give because I never know when I might be the one in need.

For example, I donated to Light the Night because God forbid one of my children should be diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.

I give to my church because I'm financially able to and there may come a day where I need to rely on others generosity for food or clothing.

I consistently give to Goodwill because I want to give others a job and there may come a time when I may rely on Goodwill for clothing.

I give my time and talent to the handbell choir at church so that others can hear God's love through beautiful music.

I offer possessions on my local Freecycle group because it's not important to resell everything for a profit - if I'm able to give it away for free to someone who needs it, then I'm helping others.

I give money to V-Day because I believe that we have to stop violence against women.

And I give to Nothing But Nets because global health is every one's responsibility. I can skip two Frapuccino's and give a bed net to a family in Africa.


No matter what the motivation, giving is a good thing. Giving money, time, talents and possessions makes this world a better place. But most importantly, "its better to give than to receive." And that's the truth. I LOVE seeing someones face when they open a gift or know that someone has changed their lives. (And it's even more amazing when you can do it anonymously!)

So, what motivates you to give?

How one Conference took a campaign and made a slam dunk!

Here in the North Texas Conference the Nothing But Nets (NBN) campaign has really captured the interest of our local congregations. For a brand new program, the amount of interest we’ve seen in this initiative is outstanding. I believe this is because of the simplicity of the slogan “Buy A Net. Save A Life.” Everyone can understand that $10 buys a bed net that can save lives and prevent malaria, which kills a child every 30 seconds.

We started promoting this campaign by putting information in our conference newspaper, The Reporter. By August 2007, we had raised $62,935.61. We also had a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that started with the local churches, then went to the district level, then the conference level. Our conference winners then played the Central Texas Conference winners at General Conference in Ft. Worth this past April.

Since our basketball tournaments were spread out over many months, we were able to continually keep the NBN initiative before the congregations. We have now raised $113,801.74. A small church in Aubrey, Texas gave $200. Collectively, a lot of small donations can amount to something truly significant. Together, our conference has bought 11,380 bed nets. That is enough nets to drape all the beds in a small African town.

Imagine a town where no child dies of malaria. In this effort, I have truly seen the hand of God at work.

--Rev. Marji Bishir, Associate Director of Connectional Ministries with the North Texas Annual Conference

A Personal Reflection...

I had the opportunity last week to see a different kind a race. It was a whole series of boat races among rowers. Some just involve single rowers, some a pair of rowers, others a whole team. What really impressed me was to see the teams all working in synchronized movement. Perfectly timed, it produced powerful force to move the boats forward. Most of the rowers had their backs toward the finish line, but one member of the team had to stay focused on where they were going.

This experience happened right after General Conference in Ft. Worth, TX. While the people of The United Methodist Church are not in total agreement on every issue that confronts the church, four areas of focus were lifted before us where it is believe the whole church can pull together. Developing leaders, new churches for new people, Global Health and Ministry in partnership with the poor. Despite late evenings of wrangling with amendments to the substitute motion and all that, it seemed as we left that everyone is willing to pick up their oar and pull in this new direction.

The quadrennial budget for the church, presented on the last day of General Conference, was passed with an affirmative vote of 96%. Another strong indication that we’re focused and all ready to pull on the oars and move ahead. It’s what we hope for when we talk about the connectional giving that will make the shared ministry of this denomination possible. Great things are accomplished by the people of The United Methodists Church when we know where we are going and can clearly articulate how our pulling together can make a difference.

When we are pulling together, we can bring new, young leaders into the church. When we are pulling together, we can start new churches to reach new people. When we are pulling together we can reach out to those who live in the grip of poverty. When we pull together, we can bring an end to diseases like malaria.

--Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane, Director of Communications Ministry, United Methodist Communications