Stewardship Moment: It sets a foundation for me

Why do I come and give – why is church important to me?

The Church has played an important part of my upbringing and in many ways setting the foundation of what I am today. It has been an integral part of our family. I grew up in a very small village, in a small church – Emmanuel Lutheran in Guyana, with not more than 50 members. I was baptised and confirmed there and also taught Sunday school and always enjoyed what I did at church. In a village of a few hundred people, church was like extended family, embedded and intertwined with the community and was part of growing up.

For me, there are 4 simple reasons why church is of importance to me:

1. Fellowship – church is a place where we can give and receive encouragement, we always need some encouragement as life is not easy – it can be difficult at times. Church is where fellowship starts, where we get involved in activities for the betterment of all.
2. Recharge and growth – sometimes the fuel in you is running out and you need to be re-energised or move to the next level in your faith. The teachings, whether through sermons, stories, testimonies, do help to serve this purpose.
3. It’s a good habit and a positive example – Jesus did it, he went to church. It’s a good habit to develop and a positive example for my children and for others. 
4. Help to serve others – through involvement and participation to make the church stronger. This gives satisfaction and can be self motivating.

In closing, I want to say that I think it’s in all of us to build these simple foundational elements, to share it and also to teach our children and others what Jesus has shown us to do and asks us to do. Emmanuel Lutheran is over 80 years old today and is still around, vibrant as ever and serving its community – although its survival was written off by many several times. What kept it going was a congregation with big hearts, who believed in themselves and gave more than they received. We at St. Philips can do the same!

Thank you.

Chris