Stewardship is Heart Work
A quick look at our church calendar will show just how busy Asbury is. Our beloved building plays host to several bible studies, choir practices, midday music concerts, mission planning meetings and children’s activities. And that doesn’t even count the community events that we host such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the HARTS shelter and space for other meetings.
1 Corinthians likens the church and its members to a body and the various parts of that body. Truly, the programs we facilitate during the week are the handiwork of our body in Christ. In fact, there are some in our community whose only exposure to Christianity may be through attending events here at Asbury. What a wonderful opportunity we have! Asbury’s “footprint” in the community is wider and deeper because we are able to offer so many activities right in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg.
But did you know that these wonderful activities are largely funded through the church’s General Fund? The general operating fund not only allows us to open our doors to the community, but also to turn on the lights and welcome them warmly. Meeting materials, staffing and planning are all paid for from the general fund. The book of James tells us that the body is dead without the spirit, and likewise faith without deeds is dead also. If we are committed to demonstrate faith in Christ through deeds, then our General Fund becomes the lifeblood of our Church body.
We have so many outstanding projects and programs at Asbury that it’s exciting to be a part of it all. Our generous contributions make for a wonderful ministry and it speaks to the great dedication our congregation has to the church mission. Our offerings advance the cause of Christ, expanding the presence of Him in our community. Asbury serves as a shelter for those without, a nurturing classroom for our children, tranquility for those frayed by life’s hectic pace, and an example of Christ’s caring love for those seeking a higher purpose for their lives. Your gifts make all of this and more possible.
Don Bowers, Stewardship Ministry Team
