Mark 8:34-37 What good is to gain all the world's possessions and lose the value of your life? Jesus calls his disciples to give themselves away, completely, for the mission of the gospel. Our lives, our bank accounts, our time, our heart belong to his dream for the world.

Mark 12: Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than everyone who’s been putting money in the treasury. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had, even what she needed to live on.” It’s not about the total. The total doesn’t impress God, our willingness to sacrifice our gain for others is part of the Kingdom.

You do not owe a church because it is a “church”. You are called to support Jesus’ mission. A healthy church should be the best vehicle for that mission. Matthew 7:15-20 Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.”

Mission First 2016: A Holistic Response To Jesus’ Mission

With your support we can... -Put MISSION FIRST financially by: Giving an 11% tithe to mission at $29,000. Nearly triple percentage spending on missions from 3.8% to 11%. Keeping enough funding for 500 food boxes. 5% DMF. 2% each to Micah & SCS. 1% to KC(DOC). -Support more hands-on ministry: 45.9% of budget Ministry Staff, $ 120, % ministry programs at $14,050. Better support for pastor, children, students, and worship staff in salary and ministry budgets. -Support Sustainable Building & Admin Spending at 35%, 93,447. Communications Assistant, Janitorial Staff, and Ministry Center expenses.

Mission First ‘16 Proposed Budget $263, TOTAL: $29,000/ 11% Tithe To Mission, including new gratitude gift to KC (DOC) Region. $120,824/45.9% in Staffing includes increases for pastor, children’s director, youth director, and worship leader in recognition of two services. 5.3% In House Ministry/ Free Community Events at $14,050 with increases for youth and worship ministries. 35%/ $93,447 Sustainable Building and Administrative Expenses.

The key to our church becoming a “model of generosity” lies with our willingness to be individual models of generosity, with our willingness to give our money, our preferences, and our energy for the sake of Jesus' mission.

A holistic response: -The Practice- A monthly night of emphasis on hands-on faith and justice practice. How do we do “mission” in God’s Kingdom? Who can we invite to teach us to do Jesus’ mission? Experiments in the gospel. -Renewed emphasis on monthly serving at Micah Ministry in Kansas City (last Monday of the month). -Equipping families for financial generosity and for being a good neighbor.

Where are you on the financial generosity ladder? I’m off the ladder. I haven’t got much of a plan for my financial life right now or I find my financial situation too overwhelming to consider giving. I could use some help with financial planning and debt reduction. Please contact me privately about finding a personal financial mentor or debt reduction/financial planning small groups. I’m ready to take the first step. I understand that my finances are a picture of my priorities, that I’m called to generosity, and I believe SPCC is worthy as a vehicle of that generosity. I’m committing to intentional pledged giving via automatic withdrawal. My gift will come FIRST, not as a leftover. I’ve prayed about an amount/percentage I can begin with as I move toward 10% in the future. I’m taking step 2 (or 3...or 4). I’m moving forward this year in my giving with the dream of someday giving 10%. I’ve chosen a challenging next step in the percentage that I give and I’m making some personal sacrifices to so that lives can be changed through my generosity. I’m completing a pledge form with a higher percentage and I’m using automatic transfer. I’m ready to try 10% (at least for 3 months). I’ve prayed about it and I’m committed to a three month “trial tithe”. We may not be able to do it for the year, but we’re going to see what it feels like to give 10% of what we’ve been blessed with so that lives can be changed through the ministry of SPCC. I’ve signed the pledge card and I’m using automatic transfer. I’m giving 10% or beyond. I’ve started or am starting to tithe and I’m not going back. I’m prayerfully looking for more opportunities to give to special ministries of the church (relaunching, children, youth, etc.). I’ve prepared for or beginning to prepare for a Legacy Gift through my will. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

What now? -Pray for 24 hours. Your packet will arrive in the mail or you may pick up one at church next Sunday. -Take the next step in generosity. -Pledge. Pledging allows us to share more and research suggests you are more likely to follow through with a pledge.