Letting God Speak To You About Vineyard Columbus' Giving Campaign

Why Is This A Giving Campaign and Not a Fundraising Campaign?

You will not hear the word "fundraising" around Vineyard Columbus. Fundraising is the collection of money from other people in exchange for some product or service (candy bars, magazine subscriptions, car washes, etc.). In the end, all you have is funds.

We are conducting a giving campaign. A giving campaign challenges people to give out of their own resources for biblical and spiritual reasons. In the end, not only is money collected, but disciples are developed. If all we have after this campaign is money (even if it's a lot of money), we will have failed. We don't just want a new Community Center or a much expanded involvement in world missions. We want a stronger, healthier, more mature and more vibrant church.

Giving has the potential to change us. It stretches us beyond our comfort zones. It goes against our materialistic culture. In other words, giving can spiritually transform and mature us! In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Paul writes this to the young pastor, Timothy: Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

We are convinced that God's will for us is to build this new Community Center and to expand our missions involvement. It is a huge step of faith, but we are confident that the Lord will provide for what he has "ordered." We are most excited, though, not about what's being built on our property, but what God is going to build into the hearts of the people in Vineyard Columbus as they give. What is of eternal value is what happens on the inside. This is why our campaign is not a fundraiser - it is, instead, an opportunity to give and to grow!

How Much Should You Give Towards Vineyard Columbus' New Community Center And Expanded World Missions Involvement?

On Thursday evening, March 10, during our All-Church Celebration, you will have the opportunity to make a financial commitment to give over a three-year period towards our new Community Center and to Vineyard Columbus' world missions. "But how do I decide how much to give?" In order to make that decision, you must ask yourself a more important question: "How much does God want me to give?"

To determine God's will for giving, you need to first decide whether you will:

1. Give based on unaided REASON. Unaided reason asks, "What can I afford?" You look in your checkbooks, consider your upcoming expenses, see what you can spare, figure out what is "reasonable," and commit that amount. You don't seek God's will or ask for His guidance. This process, however, requires no faith.

Or

2. Give based on REVELATION. Revelation asks, "Lord, what do you want me to give?" You pray about your decision and let God reveal to you the amount he wants you to commit. This requires faith and a willingness to trust God because He may ask you to give more than you think you can afford.

Steps for Determining God's Will for Giving

1. Pray. Begin by asking God to stretch your faith and help you to trust him more with your needs. Pray that he would change your heart, if necessary, and make you a "cheerful" giver. If you can't imagine how you can afford to give anything, pray that God would show you how you can.

2. Surrender. God doesn't just want your money. He wants you - all of you. Think over the various parts of your life - your body, your relationships, your job, your family, your sins, your dreams, and your money - surrender all of you to God.

3. Learn what the Bible teaches about giving. Take some time over the next few weeks to meditate on the following scripture passages about giving. Memorize those verses that are particularly meaningful to you. (Proverbs 3:9-10; 11:24-25; 19:17; Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 8:1-12; 9:6-10).

4. Ask God to show you how much he wants you to give. Sometimes we are hesitant to ask God specific questions because we are afraid of what He might say. God will speak when we are sincerely willing to obey Him. Use this as an opportunity to grow spiritually and to use spiritual "muscles" you've never used before.

5. Commit as an individual or as a family to give what the Lord has instructed you to give. This is where your faith will be put into practice. God might instruct you to give more than is currently in your checkbook, making you trust Him for what you cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). When we trust God, step out in faith, and take a risk - miracles happen!

Don't Forget the All-Church Celebration!
We will be canceling our regularly scheduled meetings, small group gatherings, and activities the week of March 6th in anticipation of the All-Church Celebration on Thursday evening, March 10th at 7:30 p.m. so that we can worship together downtown at the Columbus Convention Center. Thursday, March 10th, will mark the climax of our capital campaign and the evening that you will be able to make your three-year financial commitment towards our new Community Center and world missions vision.

This All-Church Worship Celebration will give you an idea of just how large our Vineyard Columbus family is. You will have the opportunity to visit with friends you usually don't see at worship and meet lots of new people. It will be a wonderful time to celebrate God's blessing on our church and allow Him to make us a blessing to others.

REMEMBER:
Thursday Evening, March 10, 2005
7:30 p.m.
The Columbus Convention Center
400-500 North High Street

We welcome your children to join you in participating in the All-Church Celebration. To that end, there will be no special children's programming. For young children, it might be best to schedule babysitting now.