Stewardship Update from the CCCC

Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Where Your Treasure Is

A monthly stewardship update from the CCCC

June 2010

This newsletter is developed by the leadership team of the Comprehensive Campaign, "Sharing His Vision - More Than We Can Imagine".

"Where Your Treasure Is" is an email devotional from the CCCC office to your inbox on the 15^th of every month, to remind us of biblical principles of stewardship. This initiative was launched because our Lord has said much about Stewardship, and all His people are to be listening. I hope you find these devotionals helpful. If you do, feel free to forward this publication to others, inviting them to join our mailing list to receive it directly in the future. If you do not wish to receive this monthly devotional an unsubscribe link is provided on the bottom of this page. Today's devotional focuses on the connection between giving and love, and God's exhortation that like Christ His disciples would aim for this holy combination.

A unique form of stewardship...

Seven members remained. In the latter part of the 19^th century, Sunday morning worship services exceeded a thousand in attendance. The church had flourished, a major force in the city. Sadly, a long period of decline followed. Old residents moved out of the city, and immigrants took their place. As the numbers dwindled, the church building was sold and a smaller church facility was purchased. The church membership continued to drop until there were the last seven.

"What shall we do?", they asked one another. They sought the Lord in prayer. They called upon pastors from nearby churches to offer counsel. With two buildings owned outright and ample invested funds, the church was not under any financial pressure. Resources could keep the institution alive for many years to come, but was that what the Lord wanted? The members could not decide; opinion was sharply divided. Then it happened: the seven once more gathered to seek the Lord's desire for the church, but this time it was different. The Lord brought total unity and all completely agreed: the church would close, the members would join other churches, and all remaining assets would be given to the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (the church was a long-time member of the CCCC) with the bulk of the money to be used to support church multiplication and outreach! The Phillips Church of South Boston would come to an end, but its resources would be given to help grow the Kingdom of God!

After the properties were sold and the investments liquidated, the Phillips Church gave 2.1 million dollars to the CCCC. The only "string attached" was that 80% of the money was to be used for church multiplication and outreach with the CCCC free to use the other 20% for whatever would be the most helpful. The Phillips Church wanted the money to be spent and not hoarded. A former pastor of the Phillips Church said: "Money is like manure; it doesn't do any good unless it's spread around." For years, the Conference hoped to carry out the Great Commission in our country through church planting. The vision was there and people were ready to start, but there were virtually no resources. The Phillips Fund came at exactly the right time. The CCCC has spent almost all the money, and there has been astonishing results! A church multiplication movement has been launched in the Conference: churches are being planted from coast to coast and young church planters are being drawn to join in the work. The Good News is being preached and disciples are being made. Thanks be to God!

The people at the Phillips Church could have kept "their" church going, but they know who is Lord and who owns all things. Psalm 24:1 says: "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." I Chronicles 29:14B adds: "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."

Nick Granitsas,

Honorary Chair, Campaign Committee

Pastor, First Congregational Church, Revere, MA