One day in late February, I began work on the 2023 Stewardship Campaign with an exercise of writing down words. In recent years, we have selected a theme of one word to emphasize during the four week campaign. After writing down several words, I circled PURPOSE.
I became even more enthused as I listened to Pastor Lance’s message on March 6th, when I heard him say, “You were created for the purpose of living every day in relationship with a loving Jesus Christ.”
There it was – CREATED FOR A PURPOSE!
The 2023 Stewardship Campaign kicks off this Sunday, October 16th. Over the next four weeks, I am asking you to revisit that powerful statement and contemplate how you are living every day in relationship with Jesus Christ.
We are reminded on our website that as individuals, we’ve been made in the image of the Creator. As humans, we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate and to create. We have freedom to accept or reject a relationship with Christ. As Christians, we believe that it is our loving relationship with Christ that leads to a fulfilled and abundant life.
There are deliberate actions that will help you evolve into a Christ-centered life:
• Recognize and acknowledge to Christ that you are imperfect and flawed. There is comfort knowing that Christ accepts us as we are (sins and all) and responds with the gift of total and everlasting forgiveness.
• Engage in ongoing conversations with Christ through intentional Bible study and prayer.
• Spend time with other like-minded individuals.
• Develop patience. It takes time to grow comfortable in trusting and relying on Christ. As your relationship with Christ becomes increasingly fulfilling, an abundant purposeful life will grow inside your spirit and soul!
• Be mindful. Everywhere you go, your Christian relationship shines through providing you ministry opportunities right where you are – at your job, on the golf course, handing out groceries at FSMM, in the Starbucks line.
The good news for those who are intentional in growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ is that First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth is a good place to be:
• First Church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world.
• First Church is the place to worship, to follow Christ and to transform the world with the love of God.
• First Church’s Healthy Plate Discipleship is six practices that will help individuals develop and expand their relationship with Jesus Christ.
So what does “Created for a Purpose” have to do with the 2023 Stewardship Campaign?
• Giving, one of the Healthy Plate practices, is about being in relationship with Jesus Christ and putting God first in all things. The habit of sacrificial giving of our money and resources allows us to trust God in deeper ways and to share our love with others.
• Your gifts make possible the day to day ministries (youth and children programming, worship, music, communications) and as well provide overhead support for our community outreach. Because of your consistent generosity, individuals will be transformed as they joyfully discover their Christ-inspired PURPOSE.
• A change in attitude toward giving becomes “God has blessed me in so many ways. How is Jesus Christ calling me to respond to those blessings?”
I look forward to being with you over the next four weeks as we spend time thinking and talking about how we are fulfilling our purpose. I ask you to use the time of completing your 2023 Commitment Card as an opportunity to express your generosity and gratitude born out of your loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
I am glad to be on this faith journey with you!
With deep appreciation,
Nancy Fisher
Director of Stewardship
