Finally, after a year of internal conversation as a church, the Capital Stewardship Campaign, known as “Free the Future” is here! You have gotten a lot of information and will hear a lot about it the next few weeks. All will culminate on May 4 when we make our commitments official as a church in the morning worship, one year after I asked us to go down this road together.

Along the way, we have discussed, debated, and decided. We have planned, prepared, and prayed. Now is the time of special reflection, privately and collectively, about what we will do. Please keep these few things in mind as you do:

•  Remember that we are seeking to lay the foundations for the future! We are surely paying for facilities that have blessed us every day! We are getting in a position to operate more efficiently in the present. But more than anything, you and I are the generation who will make a gift to the longterm future of this congregation.

•  Remember that you have many options about how to give and participate! Our financial situations differ. While it would be great to get every gift right now, we understand that this doesn't work for everyone. That's why this is a three year campaign. You can pledge an amount and pay it anytime within the next three years, in a way that works best for you. Whether a little every week, an annual gift, or a lump sum, every gift helps the cause.

•  Remember that this is a time of special emphasis on commitment. For me this time has brought me again to the question of my commitments in every area. I am so pleased as I talk to people to hear the high level of seriousness among our people about what they will do in this campaign. It has deepened my love and appreciate what wonderful people are here in this church.

In a conversation the other day in the car, my wife, the wisest woman I know, said as I asked her about the campaign and its emphasis, “You know, really we're always talking about stewardship, every Sunday.” That's right. We're not always talking about money. But we're always talking about stewardship—how we take care of what was pure gift to us, whether body, mind, heart, time, relationships, possessions, or talents. What are we doing with what has been given us?

•  Remember that our mutual encouragement, spirit, and example to others are as important to success as our giving. I hope this time has been a helpful time to reflect together about how it is for you. If you are tempted to say, “Oh, I've been there and done that. I already know all this. I don't need it,” be patient and remember that others may be learning about all of this for the first time. Children too young to remember the last time nine years ago that we had such an emphasis have a chance to watch us and learn from our words, our actions and our attitudes.

Relatively new Christians have a chance to study and learn and think about something that those of us who have done it as long as we remember take for granted. This is not merely a debt-thing or a church-program thing. It's a teachable moment. Thank you for being positive, kind, patient, and respectful toward your church as we do this together.

Thank you, Church family, for loving the Lord as you do, for loving one another as you obviously do, for taking this seriously, and for the commitments you will pray about and make. Next year will be a year of ministry, mission, strategic planning and growing in Christ. But right now we are preparing to resource all the things we will do together. Let's have a great time this month!