Cornerstone Pentecostal Church

January was a transitional month for us, the congregations of Christian Life Church of Victoria and The Rock Church of Sidney, but its been very smooth. The process is merging churches is one with many steps and one of them has been the offering. We have our offering plates up front and people come up and give theirs. This month there have really been two offerings. Because of the legal work offerings were still going to the original churches, even though they were going to one purpose. Today was the last day we did that. Starting next week there is only one offering, for one church. Not the most important thing in the world, I know, but a very practical sign that we are now one.

And we have a new name. The congregations got together and picked Cornerstone Pentecostal Church. We've got a Facebook page and there are a few photos up (none of me though, I was the guy taking them). Oh, and click the 'Like,' please and thank you!

Stewardship

It’s January. A time when the Christmas bills come in and you start thinking about putting together all that paperwork for your income taxes. All that thinking about finances suggests an obvious study theme: stewardship. In fact, asked my wife what she wanted to study at our family altar and that is exactly what she suggested.

I’ve seen a lot of studies on stewardship. They tend to focus on managing our time and our finances. The Bible itself has some important things to say about the subject, but one thing I noticed in prepping the lesson is that when the Bible talks about stewardship it isn’t talking about time or money.

To start, it might help to understand what a steward is. A steward is someone in charge of, or responsible for, the property of another. It’s not about taking care of yourself or your own interests. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church saying, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).” And what is this mystery that we are stewards of? It is the knowledge of the grace of God and the good news of Christ’s victory over death and sin.

A steward is to found faithful and prepared to do the work of his master (Luke 12:35-48). He is to be bold, confident. In the “Parable of the Talents” (Luke 19:12-27, Matthew 25:14-30) the steward who failed was the one who acted fearfully. Take care of your money. If your creditors have rule over you, you’ll have no peace. Take care of your time. Our generation seems uniquely unable to manage their day. But if you’re wondering about stewardship and what the Bible expects of you ask yourself, what have I done with the grace entrusted to me? What have I done with the gospel entrusted to me? What have I done for the kingdom?