Hey Church,
Once upon a time…a family here in Northern Colorado planted a tree in a park. When the tree was young the family was so excited each season to watch it grow bigger, longer branches and a thicker trunk. In those years, everyone in the family loved watering, fertilizing, and making sure the tree was nourished over the long winters. After many decades, it was never the biggest tree around, but it was a stable, beautiful, healthy tree contributing greatly to the life of the park.
After many decades, the family started slipping from their regular nourishment rotation like families can do sometimes. That same season, the weather also turned against the tree with a bitter cold winter and another drought in the summer. Due to all the consistent nourishment the tree received over the years, it weathered the inevitable hard times, but was depleted. The loving family realized what was going on and took action by getting to work first on restoring the internal health through nourishing the root system. While it took over a year, the tree started coming back to health.
That Spring, one of the family members got so excited about the tree returning to health she wanted to contribute what she had to ensure its health for years to come. She owned a hardware store and had plenty of sprinkler parts to donate, but didn’t have a water source. She approached the family with the idea of her contributing the parts if the family provided the water. While it was a stretch to offer more water, it was a ‘no brainer’ for everyone because they loved their tree. That summer the tree regained all its health and had strength to spare, and the family learned great lessons about growing healthy trees.
Church, that story of the tree is (you guessed it) us. As we’ve traveled these recent years through bumpy times, we’ve realized what is going on and taken action to pursue greater inner health through “Renovate”. Now we are given the opportunity through an excited anonymous family member to further restore our overall health with a “donation challenge”. Leadership is understanding this as the movement of the Spirit among us.
Every “above and beyond” dollar given this new fiscal year will be matched up to $100,000. You did the math right; this could result in $200,000 in giving this year which would restore our organization’s necessary reserves and position us with incredible flexibility to respond to where God is leading us next.
Church, your leaders are in no position to ask you to make a sacrificial “over and above” pledge this year to reach this goal. What we are inviting all who call Council Tree home to do is: take this matter before God asking, Lord what are you asking of me, what is my part in this? And respond to what you sense from the Holy Spirit. Leadership trusts your response to God.
Certainly, you have further questions. The prayer guide and FAQ are offered as a starter to better understanding and engaging God in this. The 3 “Nourish Fund Prayer Events” are a place to discuss your questions with leadership and pray together.
We are a beautiful tree on its way to even greater health. Let’s join in prayer, each of us asking God what our part is on this journey to nourish our tree.
For God’s glory and our Neighbors’ good,
Pastor Bert
Nourish Fund Prayer Events
With such an incredible opportunity, certainly there are further questions to discuss with leadership and it’s critical we pray together. These events are designed to sort through whatever is still puzzling and spend time seeking God together.
Should none of them work with your calendar, please reach out to council@counciltreecovenant.com and we can arrange another time.
Thursday Feb 22nd Lite Breakfast 7 AM
Sunday Feb 25th Afternoon Snack 4 PM
Tuesday Feb 27th Dessert 7 PM
All events at Council Tree, Let us know if you can only attend online & we will send a link
March 3rd Shalom Service
As it turns out, before this donation challenge opportunity arrived, we had already scheduled a Shalom service with the theme of “giving” (for real!). During the service we will hear from the body on how God has been faithful when we give. Then, we’ll be given the chance to respond to God by the giving of our pledge cards with whatever God has asked of us.
Nourish Fund Prayer Guide
How does someone position themselves to hear from God?
The invitation before us is to have all who call Council Tree home engage God in prayer for the future of our life together asking, Lord what are you asking of me, what is my part in this? And to respond to what you sense from the Holy Spirit concerning this opportunity before us.
I’ve heard it said that music, friendship, and prayer are not formulaic, but they all have a form. There are no “three steps to hearing from God” (but we’ll offer three, we’ll call them “trail markers” anyway:). Yet, our scriptures insist that the Living God communicates, and people hear from God. So, with scripture as our ultimate guide how do we ask God a question and do our best to “hear” a response?
As you will be given the opportunity to respond in worship on March 3rd with the enclosed card, allow these scriptures and reflection questions to deepen your own discernment until then.
Trail Marker One “Mind Renewal”
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For Reflection:
1. In verse 1 Paul gets to the heart of it. He calls a young church to give their whole lives to God. One of the temptations in a life of faith is to stay on the surface asking God, “What part of my life do you want today?” That’s like a husband asking a wife, “How many times do you need me to bring you flowers this year?” There is no correct answer for that as what our spouse wants most is our whole heart, anything less is a game that cheapens the relationship.
In this season, how do you describe your own journey of giving God your whole life?
2. In verse 2 Paul cautions us not to conform our perspectives to what is going on in our culture.
How have you seen yourself do that in the past?
Paul then lets us know that we become more transformed as our minds are renewed and we can then discern what is the will of God. This “mind renewal” has to do with the shaking off of popular cultural group think and receiving fresh layers of Holy Spirit perspective. Paul is writing to a group and is assuming they will go through “mind renewal” together.
Try to identify how you might be ‘conforming to the world’s patterns’ and then ask a trusted friend if they agree with your assessment. Then, discuss what might be done about that.
Trail Marker Two “Ask”
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
For reflection:
1. Jesus explicitly instructs his followers to ask our Father in Heaven to give good things.
Why do you have seasons where you don’t ask, search or knock?
2. Take a moment to recall or even write down the good things you have asked for and received.
If you have never asked or have never had the sense you’ve received, take a moment to articulate why you think that is.
If you could ask God for any ‘good thing’ (which you can), without editing your response, write out what you really want to ask of God and then ‘search’ for the response.
Trail Marker Three “Not Losing Heart”
Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’
For Reflection:
1. Jesus understands we all are tempted to ‘lose heart’ and give up on prayer.
Why do you suppose prayer is not an easier process (like Amazon), especially when so much is often riding on our prayers?
2. In this parable the resilience of the widow essentially wears out or depletes the judge’s ability to resist her. Often when something takes a lot of time it’s because something may need to be ‘worn off’ or perhaps ‘built up’ before the new can come.
If you are waiting for something in prayer, do you have an imagination for what may need to be ‘worn off’ or ‘built up’ in you before an answer arrives?
In this process of our whole church going before God with the same question, be the widow. For this short period, go each day with the same question, Lord, what are you asking of me, what is my part in this? Search for the response and then on March 3rd, come with what you sense the Holy Spirit is guiding you to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GENERAL FUND and NOURISH FUND Pledge?
The GENERAL FUND and NOURISH FUND Pledge is our annual budgeting process whereby members and guests make a financial commitment towards the support of Council Tree Covenant Church for the coming year.
What’s the difference between the GENERAL FUND and NOURISH FUND?
Our General Fund is the primary account that funds our ministries, including the children's ministry, student ministry, missions, staffing, facilities, and men's and women's ministries, etc... All gifts and tithes (regular giving), unless designated to one of our specific funds or initiatives, will be deposited here. The Nourish Fund is a separate category to meet this contribution challenge presented by one of our Council Tree family members.
What is the NOURISH FUND Challenge?
The Nourish Fund Challenge is an “Above and Beyond” financial commitment for the coming fiscal year. That means the Nourish Fund Challenge is an opportunity to give above and beyond your regular giving.
What’s the GENERAL FUND Pledge target for the coming year?
Our General Fund pledge target for the upcoming year, April ‘24 – March ‘25 is $785,000.
How does the NOURISH FUND Challenge work?
It’s simple…If we raise $100,000 in total, then we’ll also get $100,000 from another source. If we raise $80,000 in total, then we’ll also get $80,000 from another source.
When will the NOURISH FUND Challenge begin/end?
The Nourish Fund Challenge starts April 1, 2024 and ends March 31, 2025.
Will I be pressured to make a pledge?
No. Participation in the General Fund and Nourish Fund and how much you choose to give will be entirely up to you. All those who call Council Tree home will be given the opportunity to contribute if they wish to do so.
How can I prepare for this Pledge?
Engage in the spiritual exercise of discernment through the prayer guide. Attend one of the Nourish Fund Prayer Sessions.
How long will my Pledge commitment be?
We are asking you to make a 1-year commitment.
If I can’t give a large amount, does my pledge really matter?
Absolutely! All pledges matter, regardless of amount, because as we all participate according to our ability, God multiplies our giving.
Should I continue to give what I normally do and shift some of that money into the Nourish Fund?
No. The Nourish Fund is a Challenge campaign. Council Tree’s operating budget depends upon regular giving to the General Fund that is separate and apart from this Nourish Fund pledge. The Nourish Fund Challenge is an opportunity to give above and beyond your regular giving.
What forms of contributions will be accepted?
Contributions can be made online, by cash, check, or debit/credit card. Other forms of contributions can include the transfer of real estate, marketable stocks and bonds, and other forms of asset-based giving.
May I update my Pledge after Commitment Sunday March 3rd?
Yes. You may update your Pledge card at any time.
Do you have to be a member of Council Tree Covenant Church in order to participate in the campaign?
No. All are invited to participate.
