Category: Uncategorized
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Consumer or Consumed
A pastor recently voiced a concern that I have had for some time. And, with our response to the Covid pandemic, it has only magnified this concern to a loud alarm. For years I have agreed with church leaders who warned us baby boomers not to “sell” ministries and programs to prospective members. The typical church brochure reads more like an advertisement for a family vacation: a choir for those who like to sing, a women’s and men’s group, a youth fellowship as well as a Sunday School. There are church dinners and fairs, Christmas Cantatas, Easter egg hunts, and…
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Beyond Words
This week I have had several times to pray for Haiti and Afghanistan. The thoughts of another earthquake – how much can the people of Haiti take, of the future of women of all ages in Afghanistan, and of the world still dealing with Covid left me drained and dry of words. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words” Romans 8:26
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If I Were 21
While on vacation I visited an old bookstore. I say visited because to me used books are more like old friends. I found a small book, written in 1918, by Dr. Frank Crane, a Methodist minister and author. The title of this 42-page gem is simply “21.” Each of the ten chapters begin with, “If I were 21 I would…” The first chapter is titled: “If I were 21 I would do the next thing.” Dr. Crane talks about the value of work, capitalism, and the connection of the individual to society. I summarized some of his key points and…
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Boilerplate Language
Many legal and financial documents contain what is referred to as boilerplate language. These are time tested and accepted phrases, often in small print, that are used in contracts and proposals. Sometimes this boilerplate language protects one party’s interest against a lawsuit. Other times, boilerplate language provides background or window dressing for a sales proposal. Most of us know boilerplate language when we see it. It is usually passed over, dismissed as filler, or too boring to read. I have done this, skimming over a document to get to the terms of the contract and the bottom line. This is…
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Money Well Spent
Buying something of quality is something that John Wesley agreed with. He would opt to buy an expensive quality wool coat that would last for years rather than a cheap coat that would last one winter. I feel the same way about tools. Having a tool that works right every time is money well spent. If money can be well spent, it can also be poorly spent. On a small scale, I suppose buying coffee instead of making a cup myself could be considered money poorly spent, especially if it does not taste good. Shopping for the best price, or…
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Prepared to Serve
This week I received a call from a church. They were concerned about the security of bequests that a member had given to their church. Two issues were raised: Ten years ago, these could have been thoughts of longtime church members that were only shared privately between friends. Today, these issues are raised publicly at church meetings, even with the District Superintendent and Bishop present. It is helpful to be able to safely share our fears and concerns openly and honestly. The Foundation has heard these concerns and takes them seriously. We are well positioned to serve individuals and churches,…
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Let the “Son” Shine in
In 1969, The 5th Dimension sang “Let the Sunshine In.” After a year and a half of living with Covid restrictions, getting the vaccine is like letting the sunshine in. To sit with friends and see their faces is truly a gift. Who would have thought just two short years ago, that seeing a smile would bring such joy? Yet many of us know people who have died or who have prolonged aftereffects of the Covid virus. That grief and pain lingers for many. But even through that pain, the steadfast love of God, like the sunshine, reminds us that…
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Where There’s a Will… There’s a Bequest / Part II
Last week we talked about the decisions that need consideration as individuals discern how they want to construct their estate and gift plans. Very often, church members consider leaving a bequest to their church. It would bring great peace of mind, if they knew that the church was prepared and capable to receive and manage their bequest. You see, there is a spiritual as well as a legal component to a charitable bequest. The individual is expressing love for their church by making the bequest. Being a good steward of these bequests, is how the church demonstrates their love and…
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Where There’s a Will… There’s a Bequest
When it comes to charitable giving, donors are faced with several decisions; and the larger the gift, the heavier those decisions. To illustrate my point I’ll create a fictitious donor – Edith Bunker, age 78, widowed with no children. Since her husband’s death three years ago, Edith has decided it is time to update her estate plan. She just received a market value report of her real estate and was surprised to learn how much her estate was worth. The value of her home and lake house totaled 1.2 million dollars and combined with her investments, her net worth was…
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Are We There Yet?
The question “Are we there yet?” is most often asked by children sitting in the back seat of a car headed for a summer vacation. The response from the driver is usually “almost” there. Almost and yet are like “carrots and peas”, they compliment each other. Almost and yet are liminal words, connoting a transition in time and space. Oddly enough, what got me thinking about “almost and not yet” was this Memorial Day and watching several war movies during the rainy weekend. Our country’s history, indeed, our human history, is marked by endless wars and conflicts. Genocides and holocausts…