Follow the Leader

Recently I was remembering how much I enjoyed playing follow the leader as a child. I remember waiting for my turn to be the leader – it meant I could go wherever I wanted to go and everyone else had to follow.

How times have changed!

As a follower of Jesus Christ I look at leadership in a whole new way. When Jesus washed the feet of the Disciples in that tiny room in Jerusalem, he provided us with one of the most notable “show and tell” moments in history. Jesus exemplified Servanthood and revolutionized Leadership.

The job of every Christian is to reflect Jesus Christ to the world. He told us he “came not to be served but to serve others.”  The focus is on others -- Servant Leadership. We lead best by serving.

As I've taken leadership roles in the church and other areas of my life, I've learned that the opportunity to lead is a gift and should be exercised with much care, noble purpose and humility. As a Servant Leader it is so important to seek to live a life of integrity and compassion, always treating others with respect, dignity and kindness.

I've also learned that the key to successful servant leadership always involves two dynamics - the task and the relationship. Attention to the task is important to success, but success could never be accomplished without relationships.

Healthy relationships are built on trust, respect, kindness, active listening, accountability, positive attitude, appreciation  and  encouragement. We are reminded in Hebrews 3:13 “encourage one another every day.”

I am a firm believer that all of us together are much wiser than any of us alone.

I no longer think about my turn at Follow the Leader. I am following Christ to where I want to go. I am  asking  God  daily  to make me a better servant and I am looking forward to every opportunity to Follow The Leader.

-- Dianne Traynham,North GA Ann Conf.

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Content Producer

www.umcgiving.org

lcarey@umcom.org

"Even Greater Works?"

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the father. 

John 14:12 

I can only imagine the surprise of the disciples when they heard Jesus utter these words on the eve of his betrayal and crucifixion. The incarnate "Word" of God was preparing to exit stage left. And in his famously long exit interview with the disciples he made sure to tell them that they would do even greater things than he did among them.


It was the last week of August 2005 and there was a hurricane churning in the Gulf of Mexico like no other and it was making a bee line for New Orleans.  Before it's arrival it was anticipated to be the "Big One", a category 5 storm.

Many people of the New Orleans area and greater gulf coast headed for higher ground. Hundreds of thousands of them headed for North Georgia and the metro Atlanta area. They arrived, in most cases, with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In the immediate wake of the storm's devastation they had no choice but to stay in the region.

At the Action Ministries office we had discussions about what our response should be. Our primary programs were not disaster related, and our mission stated that we only served a certain geographic area.  However, we did agree that these evacuees were our neighbors.  Therefore, we decided that we would respond to their immediate hunger need.  We sent out an all points bulletin to the churches that we needed nonperishable food.  As the churches received the word, they passed it along to their members.  People responded with what they could do.

Food came in overwhelming amounts and a generous and steady supply of volunteers gave it out where the evacuees were gathered daily in enormous parking lots all around metro Atlanta. As we gave it out, we counted. This went on for 40 days before the immediate crisis morphed into mid and long term recovery.

As we began to catch our breath, I asked for a report of the number of meals that we provided. The number came back—200,000 meals, all provided by people of faith who each did what they could. A simple calculation told me that we served an average of 5,000 each day for 40 days in a row.

And then it dawned on me. Jesus told his disciples, "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the father." John 14:12.

I imagine those words must have fallen originally on deaf ears. But in time, all Jesus' disciples who hear the cry of the needy and respond with generosity are caught up in what God is doing. We may each find ourselves doing "even greater works."

-- John Moeller, President and CEO of Action Ministries, North Georgia Ann Conf. Photo is of volunteers from Action Ministries Rome.

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Content Producer
www.umcgiving.org
lcarey@umcom.org

I Am Blessed, Despite My Surroundings

“Even in these tough economic times, I feel truly blessed. I may not have as much disposable income as I have had in the past, but I am finding that some of the things I spent my money on did not give me lasting contentment.   I am eating out less, but the food I am eating is healthier and better prepared.  As a bonus, I am spending less on gas to go places where I will spend more money on things that I do not need.  I admit that I am lucky – I have a job with income and benefits.   I may wish for more money, but I am not suffering.  And yet I know that there is a lot of suffering throughout the world.

The following passage is from 2 Corinthians 9:11-13:

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us. Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. They will give honor to God for your obedience to your confession of Christ’s gospel. They will do this because this service provides evidence of your obedience, and because of your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone.     (Common English Bible)

This passage reminds us that we are called by God to give to others less fortunate than ourselves.   Because we are part of the United Methodist Church, we promise faithfully to participate in its ministries through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.”

-- Susan Hutchings, Finance Chair, Trinity UMC in Montello, Wisconsin Ann Conf

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Content Producer

www.umcgiving.org

lcarey@umcom.org

Giving Means Thinking Positively

“Make the most of every chance you get.   These are desperate times.”  

(Ephesians 5:16 The Message)

As we begin the month of May in our church, we’re making the transition from spring to summer.   We’re moving from a busy, busy time to a little bit slower schedule over the summer with generally lower attendance (unless you live in a vacation area!).   The “snowbirds” return from the south and others are missing due to vacations and other activities.

What is God calling you to give this summer – of your time, your talents and your treasures?  Do you have time to help clean and paint some Sunday School rooms?  Do you have a talent to offer during Vacation Bible School – even if your own children are grown?  Perhaps you can try giving your regular tithes and offerings electronically through your bank over the next three months, especially if you have lots of weekends when you’re out-of-town.

Here are some thoughts to share as you move through this summer:

1.    Be positive when inviting members and friends of the church to give.  Your church does good work and you are inviting others to invest in that ministry.

2.    Giving to God is not a transaction.  Anytime you give anyone a gift it is a reflection of your relationship.  Your commitment to the church should be a reflection of your relationship with God in Christ and the Church.

3.    People give to change lives.

4.    Money is never an end in itself in the church.  Money is a tool for ministry.  A bank account that is bursting at the seams but not used for ministry is like having a sanctuary no one is ever allowed to enter.

5.    Churches that have regular stewardship campaigns receive more money from their members than those that do not.  You get what you ask for, not what you wish for.

-- Wisconsin Ann Conf

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Content Producer

www.umcgiving.org

lcarey@umcom.org

It Is All about God

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.  And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

--MARK 3:7-12

Wherever Jesus went, his fame preceded him. He attracted hordes of people, eager to meet him. He was revered, even worshiped, as a healer and a miracle worker.

The scriptures tell of Jesus' power to exorcise demonic spirits. In the Markan account of Jesus' journey with his disciples to the sea, the unclean spirits that Jesus is exorcis­ing fall on their knees before Jesus and shout, "You are the son of God." Jesus sternly orders the unclean spirits not to make him known.

We might not understand his insistence on shunning the limelight, but Jesus' interest lies less in garnering atten­tion, recognition, and fame for himself than in focusing the spotlight on God.

How that differs from our egotistic human nature! Ours is an increasingly self-centered, narcissistic world. Corpo­rate greed, an increasing disparity between wealthy and poor, those with privilege and those on the margins of life are just a few signs of a "me first" attitude. The slogan of the moment for far too many is "It's all about me!"

In stark contrast, Jesus shuns center-stage attention. He prefers to focus our attention and our praise beyond him­self to God. Jesus demonstrates that though he is the Son of God, it is not all about him! Jesus steps outside the spotlight of fame and attention in order to point to the almighty and all-loving power of God so others will see the divine glory through Jesus' life and ministry.

Likewise, we offer our lives in service and ministry with deep gratitude to God for life and in profound thanksgiving for the grace and love of Jesus Christ. It's not about us; it is all about the power and love of God!

Gracious God, may all my words, actions, and good works today bring glory not to me but to you. Amen.

--Robert T. Hoshibata, Heal, Dakotas Ann Conf.

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Content Producer

www.umcgiving.org

lcarey@umcom.org

Crossing to the Other Side

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

MARK 4: 35 - 41

Today's text invites all the disciples of Jesus Christ, those of the first century as well as those of the centuries that followed, to travel with their Savior to the other side of what they consider to be their sea. After a busy day of healing and teaching among the crowds, Jesus instructs his disciples to go to the other side of the lake. These verses convey rich lessons about mission, the faith of disciples, Jesus' divine authority, and the submission of natural and evil forces. 

• Discipleship and mission. Gentiles inhabit the eastern side of the lake. Jesus takes his disciples to bring the good news of God's kingdom to these people. To be disciples of Jesus Christ requires a readiness to embark on unfa­miliar, new ground every time the Lord sends us. 

• Discipleship and the faith of disciples. Facing the danger of a furious squall, the disciples grow fearful. They waken Jesus from his deserved rest, implying his indifference to their situation: "Teacher, don't you care if we drown!" (RSV). For those disciples and for us today, it is one thing to remember that Jesus is in our midst; it is another to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the mas­ter of all circumstances.
    
• Discipleship and Jesus' authority. By divine power Jesus rebukes the winds and waves in the same way he has rebuked evil spirits in people. Agitation, violence, and disorder may signal a lack of authentic and true author­ity. But where Christ is acknowledged as alive in the midst of his disciples, there is hope for silence and authentic peace. 

Lord, we thank you for bringing us together as delegates from across the world. Be present in our midst in our times. Strengthen our faith that we may make disciples for the transformation of our troubled world. Amen.\

-David K. Yemba, Embark, Dakotas Ann Conf.

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Content Producer

www.umcgiving.org

lcarey@umcom.org

How much should we give?

Giving is…to be consistent... “Every Sunday each of you make an offering and put it in safekeeping.  Be as generous as you can.”  (1 Cor. 16:2  The Message)

The church Annette attends paid its bills in full last year using the usual end-of-the year crisis call for money.  After celebrating a sense of relief that all commitments were made in full some people started asking, “How much should we give, anyway?”  Others pointed out that they wanted to give more last year but the plea for money came at a bad time.  They said, “If we had known about this all year, we could have started saving earlier.” 

As chair of the Church Council, Annette suggested they turn to the story of how Paul encouraged the Corinthians to make offerings to assist those in need by giving generously and regularly, setting something aside week by week.  She said, “If you’re seriously wondering how much to give, consider starting at 3% of your net income.  If you’re above that but below tithing, ask God in prayer what might be an amount that will invite you to sacrifice, yet give you joy as you consider the lives that will be changed.” 

The tithe was established so that all the people might know the abundance of God’s love.   As United Methodists, we tend to average giving only about 1% of our income.   Imagine the variety of ways we could be in mission and ministry if we could average giving 3%, 5%, 7% or even a full 10% tithe! 

No matter how much we are called to give to the church, it is always easier in the end if we put God first and write those checks as the first check of every pay period.  Whether it’s 3%, 5%, 10% or more, choose an amount that helps you to grow in faith through sacrifice and joy – remembering that in giving away up to 10%, we still have 90% or more to meet our obligations, wants and needs!

Seven Ways of Giving

First – The Careless Way: To give something to every cause that is presented, without inquiring into its merits.

Second – The Impulsive Way: To give from impulse – as much and as often as love and piety and sensibility prompt.

Third – The Lazy Way: To make a special offer to earn money for benevolent objects by fairs, festivals, etc.

Fourth – The Self-denying Way: To save the cost of luxuries and apply them to purposes of religion and charity.  This may lead to asceticism [severity] and self-complacence [self-righteousness].

Fifth – The Systematic Way: To lay aside as an offering to God a definite portion of our gains – one-tenth, one-fifth, one-third, or one-half.   This is adapted to all, whether rich or poor, and gifts would be largely increased if it were generally practiced. 

(1 Cor. 16:2)

Sixth – The Equal Way: To give God and the needy just as much as we spend on ourselves, balancing all our personal expenditures by our gifts.

Seventh – The Heroic Way: To limit our own expenditures to a certain sum and give away all the rest of our income.   This was John Wesley’s way.  

---Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation

God Is Still In Control

Miss Lladale Carey

Web Content Producer

www.umcgiving.org

lcarey@umcom.org