A few weeks ago we got a call from a missions organization about a 1983 Olds Regency that was being garaged in Illinois. The car was in perfect condition because it has spent its entire life in Arizona and since the original owner passed away, her son now was donating the car. My first thought was maybe $500 for the car, but the donor insisted that is was a "Classic Car" and my first thought was a "Classic Gas Guzzler." Besides, my wife and I were married in 1982 and we aren't classics!
We had just started a new partnership with an auto auction in the Chicago area that had been in business for 60 plus years, and I thought this would be a good test run to see how they would do. Well, they picked up the car in 2 days, helped the donor with the title transfer, sold the car for $1,400 and charged us only $200 towing because they had to haul it over 50 miles. I was wonderfully surprised, and it will be exciting to let the donor know that his mother's car will help plant churches in unreached areas.
You can donate your classic car or even your junk car by going to http://www.idonate.com/. You can help fulfill the great commission by your generosity to help those preaching the Gospel.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Discovering Our Calling
All of us at one time or another will try to determine our purpose, asking why God has created me. I am certainly no different. In recent years, much has been written about "Vision Statements" or "Mission Statements" either as an individual or an organization. The vision statement for Servant Christian Community Foundation http://www.servantchristian.com/ is to "Create a Culture of Generosity" with the ultimate purpose of funding God's work throughout the earth. I heard our ministry president challenge our board with the thought that SCCF would process the last gift that would fund the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20.)
Then there is a "Mission Statement" and many of us, myself included, are not sure what the difference between the two are. Someone once told me the difference: The vision statement is "Where" we are going and the mission statement is "How" we are going to get there. The mission statement of Servant Christian Community Foundation is "To Inspire, Educate and Facilitate Revolutionary Biblical Generosity." I suppose you can compare the "Mission Statement" as the “Map” of where we are going and the "Vision Statement" as the “Compass” to keep us on target.
Why is all of this important? I think we can draw many examples from the Bible, such as Jeremiah 1:4-7; " Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."
Clearly, Jeremiah had his lifetime calling and from the scripture we can clearly see that the calling was ordained before he was born. We can also see this same scene played out in the life of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-17) or Joseph (Genesis 37:5-10) and most importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ, who had the all-encompassing mission that was fulfilled at the cross.
Then the church that was born out of the resurrection now has its mission: Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. "
As the man of God and great Olympian Eric Liddell said concerning his running for Great Britian in the 1924 Olympics, "When I run, I feel His [God's] pleasure." I think this statement simplifies what our calling should be about and the question I should ask myself: Are the things that I am doing bringing God pleasure? I guess this is the greatest barometer to determine God's calling for my life. My calling will bring God pleasure as well as myself by doing the things that God has wired me to do. Am I bringing God pleasure by what I have put my hand to in life and ministry?
Then there is a "Mission Statement" and many of us, myself included, are not sure what the difference between the two are. Someone once told me the difference: The vision statement is "Where" we are going and the mission statement is "How" we are going to get there. The mission statement of Servant Christian Community Foundation is "To Inspire, Educate and Facilitate Revolutionary Biblical Generosity." I suppose you can compare the "Mission Statement" as the “Map” of where we are going and the "Vision Statement" as the “Compass” to keep us on target.
Why is all of this important? I think we can draw many examples from the Bible, such as Jeremiah 1:4-7; " Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."
Clearly, Jeremiah had his lifetime calling and from the scripture we can clearly see that the calling was ordained before he was born. We can also see this same scene played out in the life of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-17) or Joseph (Genesis 37:5-10) and most importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ, who had the all-encompassing mission that was fulfilled at the cross.
Then the church that was born out of the resurrection now has its mission: Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. "
As the man of God and great Olympian Eric Liddell said concerning his running for Great Britian in the 1924 Olympics, "When I run, I feel His [God's] pleasure." I think this statement simplifies what our calling should be about and the question I should ask myself: Are the things that I am doing bringing God pleasure? I guess this is the greatest barometer to determine God's calling for my life. My calling will bring God pleasure as well as myself by doing the things that God has wired me to do. Am I bringing God pleasure by what I have put my hand to in life and ministry?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Visit to Powell Gardens
Some friends of ours, Tom and Joyce Bartlett, invited us to Powell Gardens in Oak Grove, Missouri, the other day, and it was a very pleasant experience. It was also an opportunity for Ben to learn some science hands-on. The gardens have been developed over the years after a family estate left the farm to be developed as a botanical garden. Tom and Joyce brought their grandson, who happens to be close to Benjamin's age, and they had a very good time. It was a beautiful place to see and enjoy. I guess I couldn't help thinking that the donors could have donated the land to be sold to help preach the Gospel throughout the world but then again, sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses and enjoy God's wonderful creation.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Setting Proper Expectations (Baseball Cards to RVs)
As we serve more and more donors who are donating their noncash treasure to support ministry, we take time to evaluate what the potential value of the donation is in the current market. Often the donor has an exaggerated idea of what something is worth. Baseball cards are the biggest culprit; rarely will we be able to get the amount from collectible baseball cards that the donor thinks we should. Retail sellers of baseball cards place a high markup on their cards but greatly reduce the amount that they will pay to buy those same cards.
Often with collectibles and jewelry, there is a strong emotional attachment. Many donors have a lot of passion for their collectibles and they bring back strong memories or they inherited the collection from a parent or close relative so the collection represents a memory. Because of the strong attachment to a donation, a donor will often want to control the amount a donation is sold for, but the IRS requires that when a donation is given, the donor no longer has any control of ownership.
In many of these cases, it is much better for the donor not to give the donation and wait until they are ready to give the donation with no strings attached.
Once I was helping a church with several noncash donations that were offered in their capital campaign. A late model RV was offered that was potentially worth $60,000 and the donor had been trying to sell the RV for several months. After I consulted with our contracted RV dealer in Kansas City, he said that the RV was only worth $46,000 in the Kansas City market; this was unacceptable for the donor and he chose to continue selling it himself. I wasn't able to help this church directly but because of having a Donor Advised Fund with Servant Christian Community Foundation, they were able to allow their donors to donate almost anything and otherwise they would have never offered the opportunity. You can learn more about Ministry Foundation (AKA Donor Advised Fund) by going to http://www.servantchristian.com/web/Churches_and_Ministries/churches_home_page.asp?b=17 .
Donor Advised Funds are the heart of how Servant Christian Community Foundation can and can greatly serve churches, ninistries and individuals by allowing donors to give many noncash items.
Often with collectibles and jewelry, there is a strong emotional attachment. Many donors have a lot of passion for their collectibles and they bring back strong memories or they inherited the collection from a parent or close relative so the collection represents a memory. Because of the strong attachment to a donation, a donor will often want to control the amount a donation is sold for, but the IRS requires that when a donation is given, the donor no longer has any control of ownership.
In many of these cases, it is much better for the donor not to give the donation and wait until they are ready to give the donation with no strings attached.
Once I was helping a church with several noncash donations that were offered in their capital campaign. A late model RV was offered that was potentially worth $60,000 and the donor had been trying to sell the RV for several months. After I consulted with our contracted RV dealer in Kansas City, he said that the RV was only worth $46,000 in the Kansas City market; this was unacceptable for the donor and he chose to continue selling it himself. I wasn't able to help this church directly but because of having a Donor Advised Fund with Servant Christian Community Foundation, they were able to allow their donors to donate almost anything and otherwise they would have never offered the opportunity. You can learn more about Ministry Foundation (AKA Donor Advised Fund) by going to http://www.servantchristian.com/web/Churches_and_Ministries/churches_home_page.asp?b=17 .
Donor Advised Funds are the heart of how Servant Christian Community Foundation can and can greatly serve churches, ninistries and individuals by allowing donors to give many noncash items.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Hi, I am Ben!
Hi, this is Ben writing to you (with a little help from Mom). I have officially started school. I am doing 2nd grade work in most of my subjects. Today we made a necklace and yesterday we made a crown to go along with my English lesson. My favorite things to do in school are my math worksheets. They are fun!
Hi Everyone
Hey everyone. Technology is moving right along. Guess it's time for me to join too. My first blogging attempt! Ben took this picture of me while we were visiting my parents. Not too bad for a 5 year old. We will try to update this often. Give us some feedback, please!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
What is Your Story?
We have recently been learning at Servant Christian Community Foundation about the importance of stories. The Bible is basically God's story about redemption, salvation, and the church.We and our families are part of God's story, and His story will continue on forever. I am learning to look at the Bible in this context instead of a book of rules and regulation about how I should act or behave but a story of God's love for me and a story of God's love for everyone on the planet. I once heard K. P. Yohannan say in a staff meeting several years ago while I served at Gospel for Asia: "You can't change the past, but we can change the future!"
One thing I have realized is that all of my successes and failures are simply chapters in a much larger drama. Today is the next chapter, and because of Jesus' love, I can intimately know the Creator of the universe! That is a better honor than being the CEO of the world's largest company or the greatest athlete or preacher in the world. I can't impress God with my achievements, but I can acknowledge His love and delight in me and reciprocate that love with genuine worship and willing obedience.
As I read some of the Psalms of David (these were chapters in God’s story in David’s life), I can begin the see the tender and intimate relationship that he enjoyed with God. Psalm 18 brings this out very well, especially in verse 19: "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." Now I can begin to understand how David felt in 2 Samuel 6:14-15, how David “Danced before the Lord with all his might” - total abandonment. David was alive, raised from the pit, and God had delivered him.
What is your story? What is the next chapter of your life? It begins today. What decision can you make right now that will put you on a glorious path with God’s greater story? Can you be like a child again that is dancing in the rain simply because it is fun?
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