Over the past few weeks, our Advancement Committee has been inviting all of us to prayerfully consider the financial commitment that God is asking us to make to support ministry at Good Shepherd. Financial support is, of course, crucial to the existence of Good Shepherd and to the support of God’s mission here. But it is also only a part of what God invites us to give back to him as a token of gratitude for his enduring love. It’s St. Paul who gives us the wonderful image of the Body of Christ, because each of us has particular gifts that are not meant to be hidden under a bushel but, rather, shared with the world for the benefit of all.
The author of the Letter of the Ephesians (although probably not Paul but someone writing in the vein of Paul’s theology) suggests that God bestows gifts on each of us in order for the Body of Christ to be built up and for the maturation of our own spiritual lives (see chapter 4). Just as giving back to God sacrificially the money that he has given us is essential for our spiritual health, so, too, is sharing our gifts. Giving is not an alternative to sharing our gifts, nor is sharing our gifts a reason not to give money. They are both critical for mature spiritual lives in Christ.
Ministry at Good Shepherd is flourishing because so many of you have chosen to share your gifts and money for the good of the Church and the world. Some of you might be discerning how you want to share the gifts God has given to you. Others of you might not know the specific opportunities for sharing your gifts in this parish. It’s one thing to generically ask for people to offer their gifts in service; it’s another thing to ask for specific ways of helping God’s ministry. Maybe you need assistance in discerning what gifts God has given you. I’m always eager to help you with that.
To that end, I’ve drawn on the theme for this year’s stewardship campaign to invite you to consider the many specific ways of serving God at Good Shepherd. As you may recall, this year’s pledge campaign theme is “How Firm a Foundation,” taken from the great hymn found in The Hymnal 1982 (nos. 636 and 637). To riff on that hymn, the firm foundation of faith is laid for us in God’s word, vividly expressed in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Christ is our foundation, but we are to build upon that foundation so that the Body of Christ can mature and strengthen and the Gospel be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
One way of building on that foundation is by giving of yourself. Whether you know it or not (or want to accept it or not!), God has given you gifts to be used. Indeed, I will make an even stronger statement: God has specifically connected you with Good Shepherd not only to help ministry here but so that you might be strengthened in faith by using what God has given you.
As part of the 2024 stewardship appeal, would you consider prayerfully reflecting on how your own gifts and passions align with needs in this parish? Please take some time to review and complete this survey, which is based on the “pillars of our common life” that I shared in my message back in August. Those pillars are 1) worship; 2) formation; 3) music and the arts; 4) outreach; and 5) fellowship. The survey gives you a chance to indicate areas of parish life in which you are interested or with which you might like to assist. If you are new to the parish, it might be appropriate for you to take some time to simply be before involving yourself in ministry. Again, I would be happy to talk with you further about your own personal discernment in that regard. And plan to attend a February 11th Sunday adult formation on this topic by our theologian-in-residence, Dr. Ellen Charry.
Hardly a week goes by when I don’t find encouragement in a note left in the basket for prayer intentions at the back of the church or in something that someone says about how Good Shepherd has touched their lives. These encouraging words usually express something about how Good Shepherd meets an acute need in their lives. We should never underestimate how an open church during the week or a formation class or a music selection or a weekday service on livestream can give great meaning to someone’s life, perhaps someone you will never meet in person. And thank you for your continuing support of all that makes Good Shepherd a vibrant proclamation of and witness to the Gospel.
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle