Site Created and updated by the Media-Technology Ministry
10/14/2009
Pastor's Note
I would like to be very pointed in this article about church membership.
Fawn Church, as many other churches, has for years carried a membership roll that includes a large percentage of inactive members. This number was almost 50% five years ago. An inactive member constitutes any member who neither attends worship nor supports the church with gifts of service or finances. Our membership vow asks each person to commit to participate in our church's ministries by prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
The United Methodist Church has a structure that parallels our U.S. government. As a connectional church, which means we are linked with other United Methodist Churches, we are able to develop programs and ministries that carry out the work of Christ and support the policies set by General Conference. This work is supported by "shares of ministry" formerly known as "apportionment payments" which each individual church is asked to remit to the conference throughout the year.
Shares of ministry are based upon a calculation using church membership and our church expenditures. Looking at our 2009 shares of ministry and the pastoral salary and dividing this amount into our membership roll - it costs Fawn Church $270 per member. Continuing on - our total church expenditure for 2009 divided per member is $677.
Our membership vows should be very sacred to each of us. We have entered into a covenant relationship with God and the church - one that carries with it a responsibility from all parties. membership is not cheap, either financially or in our personal integrity. The vows we take are important!
The reason that Fawn Church exists is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our church's vision is simple - Love -- Serve -- Grow. How we hope to continue to do this is to remain faithful followers of Jesus Christ by nurturing and supporting one another and sharing the good news of God's love with others. We believe this is best done by our joint efforts as a congregation.
Our intent as a body of believers in Christ is never to alienate anyone from the church, but we are also called to be good stewards of what God has given to us. To then be a good steward in this sensitive area of church finances we need to take a stand on church commitment. We must maintain a high standard for our members by upholding our membership vows. We must also evaluate our commitment to support our church's ministries with our prayers, our regular attendance, our service both to the church and the world, our financial gifts, and our witness to the love of Christ which is unconditionally given to each and every person.
In Loving Service to God and Fawn Church
Pastor Jane
Worship for February
Super Bowl of Caring
On Sunday, February 7th we will be collecting cans of soup and/or monetary donations to benefit the Mason Dixon Food Locker.
Happy Valentine's Day
On Sunday, February 14th during worship service, we will have a service of reaffirmation for all married persons. Come with your spouse and be prepared to enter into this time of tender words offered to your sweetheart.
Lent is just around the corner. It officially starts on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. The church will be open from 4 PM until 7 PM for individual prayer. Holy Communion, imposition of ashes, personal meditation helps will be available. We will enter this season with Lenten Worship Services each Sunday evening starting February 21 through March 28th at 7 PM. This service will include informal worship with some outside speakers, music and a time of reflecting on the stories of Jesus. I believe we will have an exciting time of worship and I encourage you to attend.
Our Lenten theme for this year is "Center On The Cross". The cross of Christ stands at the center of our observance of this season when we remember what our savior did for us by dying in our place to save us from sin and death forever. As part of our focus during these 40 days that lead to Good Friday, then, is making the cross something that truly does have a bearing on our day-to-day living.