Our number one job ...   

By Chad Erlenborn, Lead Pastor, Maple Grove Covenant Church 

I still remember the day that changed my life and ministry. I was sitting in a Systematic Theology class at seminary studying the transcendence and imminence of God. Our professor connected God's holiness, sovereignty and self-sufficiency to his love, presence and closeness.

Because God does not need us I learned that God loves us without conditions. He loves us with a love that can never be earned, therefore it can never be lost. God loves completely, perfectly and unconditionally. My professor then concluded his lecture with these life-altering words: "Our number one job in life is to be loved by God."

As ministers of the gospel, we do all sorts of different tasks from sermon preparation, to leadership development, to hospital visits, to balancing budgets, but our number one job is to be loved by God. God does not need us. He is self-sufficient.

Although God does not need us, he invites us into his redemption story. Of all the things that we can do with our limited time, our number one job is to be loved by God. Our intimacy with God precedes our ministry to others. One of the best gifts that we can give our congregations is a fully-loved pastor in Christ.

What job will you do 2013?

With the start of the new year comes potential financial change. While your financial plan might not need a fresh start in 2013, reviewing your finances will help determine if any adjustments are needed.

• Planning a large donation to a church or ministry in The Northwest Conference? Will there be a new driver in the family that will require changes to insurance or possibly a new car? With each event like these in 2013, your 2012 budget becomes less and less applicable.
• Compare your first pay stub in 2013 to your last stub of 2012. Significant changes in your paycheck likely means significant changes in your budget are needed.
• The new year might bring changes to your financial accounts. For example: the IRA contribution limit for 2013 is $5,500 - up $500 from 2012. Similarly, the limit for 401(k)s is up $500 from 2012 as well, now at $17,500. Consider talking with a tax and/or a financial advisor about your financial accounts to find out if there are any important changes.

For more information on how we can help you work out your finances for 2013, and discuss the best ways to stay within your budget and reach your financial and charitable goals for the new year, contact one of our local Financial Service Representatives:

Kevin Lawson, CFP®, 1-877-222-3960 or kelawson@CovenantTrust.com 

Steve Allison, ChFC, 1-877-768-1766 or srallison@CovenantTrust.com 

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