Guidance, Vestry, and What if I’m gone??
Guidance
How do we know if God is in it? How do we know if ‘this’ is God’s will. As I was preparing for that message, I really appreciated Kevin DeYoung’s book, Just Do Something. He closed it by saying this,
So the end of the matter is this: Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you’ll be walking in the will of God.
What great freedom! God is in you and God is in ‘it’ as you make decisions and faithfully follow Him. Remember the tools He has give to you: time, trusted friends, and courage. Each of these will serve you well in various and unique contexts. I am thankful for a church like Restoration where those tools are available in abundance. I am thankful for friends who point me to Scripture and pray for me.
Vestry
Our church is lead by a team of 9 elders who are elected from our congregation. They serve for three years with three of them rolling off each year. In November, we will elect three more elders– the class of 2015! Nominations for those 3 people are now open, until October 7.
What kind of men and women are we looking for?
- First and foremost, they should have a character that has demonstrated dependence on Jesus. They trust His grace to forgive and His wisdom to lead their life.
- A vestry candidate should have competence in areas of leadership and administration. Vestry members oversee our finances and facility. They set policies that shape our life together. They hold the Rector accountable for the way he leads the church.
- And a vestry candidate should have those intangibles that make you want to follow him or her. You trust them.
God has put a lot of people like this in our church. If you would like to nominate someone for the vestry election, you can either send their name to Tom Downie or you can put their name on a piece of paper in the box at the back of the sanctuary. The actual slate is determined by the vestry members who are rolling off and not all nominations will necessarily be put on the slate.
What if I’m gone?
One of the great questions about our capital campaign that came up at our info gatherings is this:
Should I give to the campaign if I don’t know how long I will be at Restoration?
I know that Washington is a transient place. A lot of you do not know how long you will live here. It’s a good question– should I give to something that I may never see? So here are a couple thoughts:
- Think of the campaign as an invitation– an invitation to respond to God’s grace. It is an invitation that you are free to decline. You may decide that you love the church, but this campaign is not something to which you want to respond. That’s cool. And that’s a Godly response.
- Remember, that probably every church you have ever been in was built from the generosity of someone else. I have never given to a capital campaign, but I have worshiped in churches for 40 years. God may be calling you to respond and give to something that won’t directly benefit you. And that’s a Godly response.
- Remember, that you are responding to this invitation based on what you know of your situation at this particular time. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, but we can know the One who holds tomorrow. So you are free to respond with a commitment that may have to change because your circumstances change. And that’s a Godly response.
This has been such a good season of life for our church. Everyday, I say, thanks God for a church like Restoration.
-David