Some would argue that because tithing is an Old Testament practice we are freed from its constraints because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.

This moved me not towards more information, but towards reflecting on a freedom experience of my own. I see some parallels in my story, and I believe, though no one’s experience is the same, that we each can feel something deeply when thinking of a freedom experience of our own.

One writer has said, “The mother love is like God’s love; He loves us not because we are lovable, but because it is His nature to love, and because we are His children.”

While there is no requirement to do so, many of our community groups take a break from weekly meetings during the summer or, roughly, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  We think that shifting the focus from a weekly study to other gatherings creates some great opportunities to increase a group’s effectiveness.  Your group may want to consider some of these ideas.

Good afternoon, and welcome to our long-awaited annual meeting. We have been on a transition journey for the last almost 2 years and though most of us have been on the ride together and have experienced the different terrain that we have covered, Joe and I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the faithfulness of God to lead us in measurable ways into being a transformed community that loves God and loves others by being fully engaged in the life and mission of Jesus.

Recently I was able to provide the gift of surrogacy for a dear friend of mine. It was an amazing journey, but it was never something I intended to share online with a large audience. My mind was instantly changed after an elder at the church, Bob Spotts, did a teaching on the subject of being a servant…