Apportionments, "Renewing Our Mind"

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed [How?] by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Had a really neat conversation with one of our pastors recently that he initiated. His church has been unable to pay their apportionments...for awhile. It led into a great discussion surrounding stewardship, which is one of the larger issues. It caused me though to think about some of the ways I have had to retrain my mind over the years. Thought I'd jot down some of those various thoughts. Periodically, I might blog some more on them. On the bottom of this internet page, look for the tag, "Apportionments," as we chronicle the different articles over time.

1. "As" (my shorthand for apportionments) aren't "have-to's," they are "get-to's." We don't have to pay them, we get to. We don't have to do anything. I hate it when I catch myself, "I have to do" this or that. I'm retraining myself to always say, "I get to," no matter what it is. (e.g. "I get to preside over a funeral for a really great saint." "I get to go to the dentist." I'm still working on that one.)
2. Every "A" represents a key missional objective. If you or your church isn't motivated to pay them, then some more learning is warranted on what missional objective is behind them.
3. That missional objective then becomes the key motivator by which we can promote the "opportunity," instead of viewing it as a "conference demand."
4. When we look closely enough, we might find we agree with some. We might disagree with some. I have found I can get on board with most however, usually 99.9%.
5. If I disagree with something, my best recourse isn't to boycott paying them. I have learned it is to become a proactive voice in the process to change them.
6. Not paying "As" perpetuates a victim mindset. It is the weakest thing we can do, and rarely has any real impact.
7. If you really want to do something radical and honoring to God, become the best leader you can be and earn real influence. I would be more than happy to help any church or leader expand their lid on this.
8. Methodism represents one of the greatest resources of change on the planet. We do not have to be a passive and reluctant participant, but a proactive agent of change for the cause of Christ in the world.
9. If your church isn't currently paying them, the answer isn't to just sit there and hope no one notices. It is to begin an open conversation with your District Superintendent about growing into your opportunity. I don't expect you to instantly go from 0% to 100%, but each year we can take another significant step forward...in real influence and an effective use of your power.
10. The larger issue is "Right-sizing" (not "down-sizing") our church budgets and growing our church's level of stewardship. And again, I'd truly enjoy helping anyone do that. Stewardship started off as my least favorite thing, and now has become one of my greatest joys and privileges. Stay tuned for more of my thoughts on that.