Category: Be Inspired

Citizens of God’s kingdom take seriously our mission to love our neighbors and to share the gospel. Our calling includes the responsible management of our resources, congregationally and personally.

The intersection of mission and money in budgeting supports a church’s commitment to living out its vision. Below is an excerpt of Cara Garrity’s Equipper article, “Money Follows Values.” Read the full article here.

---

The most effective budgets begin with mission, vision, and values. What is the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation?

You may have heard it said that money follows what we value. Reflect on the budget and financial habits of the congregation. What does it reveal about what has been given value?

• • In what ways has the budget reflected the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation?
  • In what ways has the budget reflected values or priorities other than the stated mission, vision, and values of the congregation? Where did these alternative priorities come from?
  • How can the budget become better aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the congregation in the upcoming year? What needs to change for that to happen?

You may have also heard the phrase “put your money where your mouth is.” It is meant as an exhortation to align your actions with your words. Don’t just talk about it, do something about it. Prayerful budgeting is one way that we can “put our money where our mouth is” concerning our participation in Jesus’ ministry and living out the mission, vision, and values of the local congregation.

• • What are we willing to do or change so that our budget reflects our mission, vision, and values?
  • How will the annual budget support the goals of the Team Ministry Action Plan (TMAP)?
  • How will the annual budget reflect the priorities of the Faith, Hope, Love, and Pastor Avenues?
  • How do we want to communicate about church finances?

By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator,
Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.

 

Kingdom Living looks like trusting God as provider. It looks like generous people sharing their treasure with others. Kingdom citizens do not hoard from fear and scarcity. Read below how two congregations are trusting God with their resources.

---

Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.

GC Appleton thanks our God of abundant provision for the resources to pay off the mortgage on our church building that has been our home since 2008. We’re grateful to have been able to use this building over the last 17 years for multiple community events, weddings, monthly community interfaith prayer gatherings, as well as our weekly worship services and church events. We’re also grateful for this building that housed our Good Neighbor Day Camp for the last three years. We praise God, and pray that God will provide guidance going forward in stewarding our funds in a way that furthers the kingdom in this neighborhood and brings God honor and glory. Amen

By Becky Deuel, Pastor
Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.

Ferguson, Missouri, U.S.

Since 2013, GC Ferguson, in Missouri, has conducted a special offering at the end of the year, which longtime members look forward to with joy. Here are some of the best practices we have found useful.

Set a goal: A specific target with clear objectives helps people know how the year-end offering (YEO) will be used. This gives people a tangible target to pray about and to invest in personally. We often include activities we feel the Lord wants us to start or expand but could not fund through regular offerings. For example, you might need upgraded audio visual (AV) equipment or rent for a connect group at a neutral location. Our goals generally amount to 5-10% of our annual budget.

Communicate early and often: I begin reminding members about the YEO in September or October through periodic announcements so they can begin planning. I encourage members to begin setting aside funds. Using a special envelope that is dedicated to the YEO helps to build anticipation. There are two main strategies we employ:

1. 1. Proactive savings: Put aside funds to match your spending. For example, I set aside a dollar for each gallon of gas purchased. Some may prefer to put aside a few dollars each time they shop for groceries.
   2. Found money: Be on the lookout for little surprises from our heavenly Father. We all occasionally receive money that was unexpected: a gift for no reason, a rebate, a discount, or perhaps a bill that was much lower than we budgeted.

I include reminders to members during offering messages or announcements and through emails. This builds anticipation as we see the Lord providing for the YEO.

Special appeal to co-laborers of the gospel: Share your needs and invite them to share in the joy of meeting these needs. Encourage them to respond by the end of the year and include the ways they can send gifts — text, online, cash apps, regular mail. GC Ferguson supplies a return envelope for their convenience.

Set a date for the in-service offering: Joy is increased by having a specific date to receive the offering. We traditionally set the third Sunday in December to receive the offering during the worship service in addition to the regular weekly offering.

Celebrate the results: I share the results as they come in, which adds to the joy of giving. We have a final tally only after mail offerings arrive in early January. Members are always excited to see how the Father, Son, and Spirit meet these special needs through them.

By Karl Reinagel, Pastor
Ferguson, Missouri, U.S.

 

Do you know what a white rainbow is? Better yet, have you seen one? I haven’t, and I only just learned that they even exist.

White rainbows are sometimes called fogbows. They are like rainbows — light entering water at just the right angle. But the droplets of fog are about 100 times smaller than drops of rain. Because the droplets are so tiny, most of the light is scattered rather than refracted as in a rainbow. As a result, the colours are washed out, leaving a white rainbow.

The combination of light and water and its effect got me to thinking of Jesus as the Light of the world, flowing to and through us.

All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. John 1:3–5 NRSVUE

Neither the rainbow nor the fogbow would exist without the sun (in our case, the Son). We are blessed to live in a constant state of being receivers. We easily forget this and think of ourselves as being doers.

We are God’s children (his drops or droplets), and we receive and reflect his light. In both Ezekiel and Revelation, we find references to the glory of the Lord described as a rainbow. Consider the beauty and glory of God’s determination to finish the work he has started in each of us. I may never see a rainbow again (or a fogbow, if I’m lucky) without thinking of the rainbow beauty of God’s life that he shares with and through me.

Prayer
Jesus, thank you for being our light. Spirit, empower us to refract the beauty of God’s love out to others. Amen.

By Ruth Matthews (1951 – 2023)

Adapted from the full article written in 2023.

Citizens of God’s kingdom believe that Jesus is working through his Bride, the Church. We believe that members of his Body together are being conformed to the image of Christ. GCI’s CMM is devoted to transformational church values and resources. Learn more below.

Church Multiplication Ministries | Grace Communion International Resources

“[God’s] kingdom continues to expand as he continues to draw people to himself. The church becomes the means through which this expansion takes place. The church does not build the kingdom, but she bears witness to the coming kingdom. Her participation in bearing witness to the coming kingdom takes place through the planting of gospel-centered churches who multiply disciples, leaders, ministries, and new churches.” — Heber Ticas

Read below how two congregations have launched new expressions of healthy church.

---

Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

On September 7, 2025, Grace Communion Steele Creek (GC Steele Creek) had our official launch. It was a day of great celebration, with many of those present commenting that they felt the presence of God. Since our beginning as a merger between a church plant and an existing congregation in October 2023, the members of GC Steele Creek have followed the leading of the Spirit in rebuilding our faith community from the ground up. We especially gave (and continue to give) our attention to developing meaningful relationships with our neighbors (Love Avenue) and intentionally living out our core values of belonging, celebration, restorative justice, truth, and unity. The result was a launch day overflowing with joy in the Lord and gratitude for his faithfulness.

The group that gathered on launch day, in a small way, reflected images of heaven we see in Scripture. People from different ages, stages of life, ethnicities, and experience following Christ worshiped the Lord together. I was especially grateful for the children God brought into our fellowship. They bring a vibrancy that is contagious.

We believe God has laid a strong foundation for GC Steele Creek and revealed our presence in our community in a beautiful way. We are excited to see where he leads us next.

By Dishon Mills. Pastor
Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

Lemon Grove, California, US

Watch our September video update here.

By Anne Stapleton, Pastor
Lemon Grove, California, US

I must admit that there have been times when I felt God had abandoned me. You’ve probably felt the same. Sometimes, in the severity of our trials, we may think that God has forgotten about us. I’ve cried out, “God, are you there?”

The psalmist expresses a similar sentiment but comes to a comforting realization.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12 NIV

Even in our darkest moments, God is there. Even when we fall into problems, dilemmas, or circumstances where it seems impossibly dark … he sees us.

No matter how dark or difficult life may seem, God is always there. We are never lost to him. In our moments of doubt or despair, let’s remember that God’s light shines brightly, even in our darkest hours. His presence is constant, and his love for us never wavers.

Prayer
Father, thank you for never abandoning me, even when I feel lost or alone. Help me to trust that you are with me, even in the darkest times. Remind me that I am precious to you and that your presence is a light that never fades. Give me strength and comfort, knowing that you see me, care for me, and are always near. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Bermie Dizon, Elder
Glendora, CA, US

 

 

Note: This was adapted with permission, from God, in Every Step, a 52-week devotional that invites readers to recognize God’s presence in the everyday moments of life.

Citizens of God’s kingdom feel that inclusive, cooperative, team-based leadership reflects our triune God. Pastors lead from a posture of multiplication, inviting others into Jesus’ mission through the Church.

Learn more from our Healthy Church resource.

 

GCI India Welcomes New Generation of Leaders

In a spirit of unity and renewal, GCI India joyfully welcomed a new generation of leaders into their boards, marking a significant moment of growth and transition within the church community.

The board of GCI India extended a heartfelt welcome to Miss Selina Sravanthi, Mrs. Shashi, and Mr. Ajay Allam. They were elected to serve on the board, bringing with them vibrant energy and deep commitment to the church’s mission. Their appointment reflects the church’s dedication to nurturing young leadership.

Mr. Om Prakash was elected as the Chairperson of Administrative Leadership, a role that carries great responsibility and trust. His leadership is expected to guide the church’s operations with wisdom and integrity.

The entire church community came together to warmly welcome the new leaders, offering prayers, encouragement, and support. As the boards embrace this new season, the churches reaffirm their commitment to fostering leadership that reflects Christ’s love and humility.

GCI India welcomes New Preachers

GCI India has officially expanded its speaking team, welcoming Selina Sravanthi, a longtime member and Sunday School coordinator, and Satyanarayana, the church’s translator. Both have been actively involved in ministry and are now stepping into preaching roles to support the church’s mission of delivering spiritually enriching sermons.

 

The church anticipates a wide variety of messages that will deepen spiritual understanding and encourage growth in faith. Members warmly express enthusiasm for the fresh perspectives they bring to the pulpit. The church looks forward to this new chapter with hope and gratitude, trusting in God’s continued work through his servants.

By the GCI India Newsletter editors,

Shanti Nirale

 

 

 

Praveen Kumar Chintha

By the Spirit, we can hear Scripture in the light of Jesus, even the stories we’d rather skip. Here’s an example.

[Jephthah’s daughter] said to him, “My father, if you have opened your mouth to the Lord, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, now that the Lord has given you vengeance against your enemies, the Ammonites.” Judges 11:36 NRSVUE

Jephthah emerged from a bad family situation to become a military leader. When the Ammonites attacked, he was recruited to fight back, and he vowed to the LORD: if given victory, Jephthah would dedicate to the Lord whatever came out of his house to meet him.

I am sure Jephthah was expecting livestock — a goat or a sheep. Instead, his only daughter, the joy of his life — ran out to greet him. Though he was lost in grief, he felt bound to keep his vow. “Dedicating to the LORD,” in Jephthah’s world, meant death and fire, so he sacrificed her.

Every time I read this story, I feel grief as if it were my own child. I also feel anger — anger that any father could believe God required Jephthah to keep this promise.

Some Bible stories are there to describe what we shouldn’t do. Indeed, some stories show us, to paraphrase Rowan Williams, how things can go so terribly wrong when we terribly misunderstand what God wants.

We understand God rightly by dwelling on the image he has given us in Jesus. We become like what we imagine, and some of our ideas about God come right out of our wrong imagination.

Prayer
May we receive the love of our heavenly Father as Jesus carries us into his presence. May we come to trust the Father as Jesus does. May the Spirit transform our regret and our grief into divine joy.

Matt Royal, Church Plant Team Member
Durham, NC, US

 

 

This devotional was adapted with permission from Matt’s blog. Read the full post here.