Abundant Blessings stewardship talk given Sept. 30 by Dan Waddill

October 3, 2018 Uncategorized

When the church asks us for a pledge, it joins a chorus of other charities, all worthwhile and deserving. I’d like to offer 2 reasons for us to make St. Andrew’s a priority.

First, the future of our church depends on what we do now. For many years, our Diocese has reported declining attendance, fewer young people, and less money coming in. Other denominations face the same issue, and throughout our country, cities and towns are dotted with the empty buildings of failed churches. In part, we can chalk it up to changing times. But here’s the thing – the need for church has not gone away. While church attendance in our modern society is falling, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and addiction are growing, especially among young people. If we pledge our money, time, and talents to the church, we can be sure that we are addressing the true and enduring needs of the human spirit.

The second reason to prioritize the church is that churches are sacred places in a culture that is becoming more and more secular. Here’s what I mean. Last month we took Henry to his college orientation, and it was well done. But during two days of speeches and sessions and meals and receptions, not one prayer was offered, and God was never mentioned. This at a school that was founded by Presbyterians, a school where daily chapel had been mandatory for over 130 years. My point is not to criticize, but only to show that our institutions have changed, such that churches now stand virtually alone as places where prayer is welcomed and God is worshipped. So more than ever, church matters.

The oldest son of my college roommate went to the Naval Academy, became a helicopter pilot, and completed several tours of duty courageously and honorably. Last year, he took his own life, as too many of our servicemen and women have done. When I saw my old friend, I realized that the only words I knew that would be of any use, or have any meaning, were words I had learned in church. And my friend knew the same words, so in the depths of unspeakable heartbreak, we were, in fact, able to speak. We spoke of his son as a beloved Child of God, created on purpose, and held in God’s hands during his life and even now in his death. We spoke of death as not having the final word because we knew words of resurrection and joy. Words we had learned in church.

To us here now, the words are so familiar, it’s easy to forget we once had to learn them; and if we hadn’t gone to church, we wouldn’t know them. Words of joy and good news. At baptism and marriage, we speak of celebration, lasting commitment, and bold vows. At a funeral, we speak of hope and trust and life. Clearly, the words we speak in church are profoundly different from the words we hear elsewhere.

Within these walls, we hear “Love is patient, love is kind. It rejoices with the truth.” Do we ever see this on our internet home page? In the news, we do hear frequent demands for an apology, but never “forgive us … as we forgive.” How about, “We pray for all who govern.” “Give us grace to do your will.” “We confess that we have sinned.” “The Lord be with you.” “You have fed us with spiritual food.” Here in this place, we encounter these words, but I don’t see them trending on Netflix.

Next year, St. Andrew’s will celebrate its 100^thbirthday, and it’ll be great. No one knows what the next hundred years will bring, but here’s what I see. At our 200^th birthday, I see every pew full to overflowing, with kids squirming and babies calling (that’s a joyful sound). I see Sunday School bursting at the seams, with classes for every age. And when people ask, “how did this happen?” the old timers will recall that it started in 2018, when the congregation decided to challenge the times and change the trends. To pledge their time and money and talents, enough to make a difference.

It’s pledge season and the future of our church is in our hands. Let’s renew our strength. Let’s mount up and make it happen. To Randy and Susan, our deepest thanks for leading us and hosting us another year.