Excelling in the grace of giving
I wonder what you think our church is known for? Or I wonder what you would like our church to be known for? When Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the matter of financial giving (see 2 Corinthians 8-9), he wanted to stir them into action by telling them about the Macedonian churches. Though they were experiencing terrible suffering and hardship, ‘their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity’ (2 Corinthians 8:2). In light of the Macedonian churches’ generosity Paul urges the Corinthians to follow their example.
Now the Corinthians were known for many things (unfortunately many of them bad things like pride, in-fighting, sexual immorality, abusing spiritual gifts etc) and Paul urges them to be known for their giving. They were a very gifted church, but he wanted them to grow in the grace of giving. He says to them:
“since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge …see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7).
Well praise God, that in spite of the challenging circumstances of 2020, the giving in CCC increased by 50% – which is just amazing. Why did the Macedonians give so generously in their severe trial? Paul says because of the grace God had given them (vs1). Their giving was a response to God’s generosity towards them, which is famously summed up in 2 Corinthians 8:9:
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
So I praise God that his grace has been so powerfully at work in our lives that it has overflowed into generosity. Personally this is very affirming, as a year ago I shared with you all that I’d like to move from full-time work outside CCC into a part-time model (at least for the next step in the journey) and so seeing the giving increase, Leanne and I have felt a sense of encouragement, support, even awe and wonder. We praise God indeed for his grace shown in your generosity!
Looking back – some highlights
Whilst the normal rhythms of church were on the whole disrupted beyond anything any of us are used to or expected, 2020 was still used by God in significant ways to strengthen us and enable us to reach out. Here are a few highlights…
- Our City Groups have grown in number and commitment, which is vital for community at this time (not to mention other groups like tea and tots and the women’s group that are also greatly appreciated by many).
- We have more life groups where discipleship and accountability are taking place.
- We were able to run more Intro events with more guests than ever turning up to hear the gospel.
- We have had new people join (as well as saying goodbye to old friends and family).
- We have had more people involved in our online services and we have greatly benefited from their different voices and contributions.
- We had a super weekend stay-cay where we learned about caring for one another.
- And there have been 100s and 100s of unseen messages, zoom calls, walks, small gatherings, prayers, conversations and acts of love that have reminded us of the beauty and power of God’s family.
Of course we mustn’t minimise the hardships, losses or challenges of 2020, but it’s also important not to miss some of the new gifts God has given us.
Looking back – the finances
Here is where our money was spent in 2020:
• 55% – Enabling staff members to organise and facilitate mission, community and discipleship in church, and also to grow and develop them as leaders (Ola, Vanessa, Maffy and Hannah)
• 7% – Hiring the school hall for us to meet each Sunday and occasionally midweek (for some of the year!)
• 30% – Giving to charities and individuals, local and international
• 4% – Running our Sunday Gatherings
• 4% – Support, admin, refreshments, Garda vetting, insurance, bank fees, comms, weekend stay-cay bursaries etc.
All the details of income and expenditure can be seen in the notes from our last AGM.
Looking forward – some tentative plans
If 2020 has taught us anything, it has taught us to hold our plans more lightly and to say ‘if the Lord wills’ a lot more (as James 4:3-17 tells us to!). With that in mind, as we seek God together as to how to make a positive difference spiritually, culturally and socially to the city of Dublin, there are a few key areas we’re focusing on in 2021 and 2022.
- Another congregation and future plants – Seek God about starting another congregation (most likely in the morning); where that would be, and how it would interact with the current gathering. We want to better support and reach out to families and youth. Do read more about this in our blog post becoming a church planting church.
- The Lighthouse – Growing our partnership with the Lighthouse – to support and serve them as they reach out to homeless people, particularly in the area of friendship, evangelism and discipleship. We’re still in conversation with CAP too about whether we can work with them in Ireland.
- Raising up and training leaders – this is vital for multiplying ministry. We hope CCC can become a training centre for work here in Dublin, but also to send workers to other places in Ireland beyond.
- Multiple life groups and city groups – alongside Sunday services these are the primary places to be known and cared for, and key to growth and service
- Office space – consider office space for the staff, and how this space could be used for wider community and missional purposes.
- Reach both cities within Dublin – every major modern city has two cities within it – long-term residents combined with the ongoing swirl of people coursing in and out. To ignore one or the other is to miss out on the reality of the place. It is a tale of two cities and on the whole we have done well reaching the newer residents but as we think to the future we need to consider more what it means to reach the long-term residents. Key to this is that we need people to stay in the big bad city. Do read this helpful article about decision making and the city during these days.
- Living options in Dublin – Dublin is not a cheap place to buy or rent so we want to be creative and strategic about how we help people settle here for the long term.
Regarding some shorter term plans for 2021, we’re looking towards the following as well:
- Hannah Raden – Hannah has done a fantastic job building on the work of Martina, and the children’s work is in a great place. Sadly for us (but good for her!) she will be stepping down from the staff team to enable her to take up a full time role serving young people in Dublin (congrats Hannah!). Hannah will continue in a volunteer capacity, alongside Tim Gaston, to bring leadership and organisation to the children’s ministry and team. Over time there may be another children’s worker role that could possibly incorporate a wider role with the Lighthouse and families too.
- Ola Ngaditono – Ola will be returning from maternity leave in March. Do pray for her as she makes that transition. Ola will focus primarily on discipleship and women’s ministry.
- Myself – For myself to come onboard part-time (July) – please do pray into discussions I am having at HubSpot around this.
- Interns/Apprentices – Take on and develop new interns/apprentices.
Prayerful response in the fallow season
In summary, as we look back on 2020 we are supremely grateful to God and to our church for the growth and provision and community in action. And as we look forward, we do so acknowledging God’s power at work in us and we are hopeful and excited for what God will do in and through us in 2021 and beyond.
So as we start 2021 can I ask you to prayerfully consider financially partnering with the church, whether to increase your existing giving, or to start giving if you have not already?
As every year comes by, and as the church grows, we faithfully and prayerfully plan and budget for what we hope and have faith that God will accomplish through his church at CCC. With this in mind we have increased our budget by 20%, so are in need of an extra €27,000 per year, or €2,250 per month, which would be (for example) 11 new givers, giving €150 per month, plus existing givers giving more.
Our prayer is that though 2020 has in many ways been a fallow season (and 2021 may have a similar feeling), that God would prepare us for what is next when the needs of our society are going to be greater than ever and the social structures will not be sufficient to meet all those needs. Volunteer Groups (like the church!) are going to be vital to see the wholeness and flourishing of Dublin. The financial, healthcare, community, mental health and practical needs are going to be enormous, and the church has a mandate from Jesus to meet these needs.
So please do pray and seek God to consider if you are able and willing to to join with us further as we seek to make a positive difference in this city spiritually, socially and culturally and bring hope and light through Jesus’ name.
If you are, the best way to give is through a standing order. Please email finance@christcitychurch.ie to request our bank details.
More information
Vision for giving
• Why Give? 5 Obvious Reasons!
• Staying in the big bad city
• How the church can and should reach Dublin
• Sermon – called to the city (Jonah 4)
Biblical Teaching
• Motivation is Everything
• How much to give (should we give 10%?)
God has continually provided for Christ City Church at every stage and we trust that he will again.
Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. You can reply to this email or speak to me or Greg Sykes (our treasurer) in person.
God bless,
Steve