A Message from the Pastor
Several years ago the U.S. Congregational Life Survey measured the level of participation in the congregation among many Lutheran Churches across the country. Although Christ the King did not participate in that survey, the overall results are probably similar to what our responses would be.
- 68% of Lutherans claimed to be in worship every week. If that were true of our would-be responses, CTK’s average worship attendance would be about 400 worshipers per week. Our actual attendance is about 270.
- 36% of Lutherans claimed to give 5% of their net income to the church. If that were true here, those 100 families alone would be contributing about $336,000 of CTK’s annual contributions. (* Note this statistic is fairly accurate for our congregation meaning that those same 36% of our families are contributing more than 80% of our giving.)
We are all part of a wonderful community of faith that opens its doors to visitors, that supports a generous ministry to our neighbors and to our neighborhood. Christ the King provides a ministry to our children, youth and to our ‘seasoned’ members. Christ the King has a wonderful diversity in age, talent and interests.
I have served as an ordained pastor for more than 27 years, and I am continually amazed by the number of people that it takes to maintain a church. Here at Christ the King the dedication of our members provide lawn care, shrubbery and grounds care, general maintenance and improvements, support and prayer for families facing difficult times, assistance for families and children in the community, Sunday morning education for children, leadership for youth, assembling bulletins and newsletters, and the list goes on. Pastor Seyward and I are here to provide direction and leadership in the various facets of the congregation’s life, but there is no way that we can do it all. This is your church and the community of faith where you can live out your life as a disciple of Christ.
St. Paul used a wonderful image when he talked about the body of Christ having many parts and members. Like the human body, Paul says, no one part is more important than the other. All parts of the body of Christ must function together to make the body strong. I am amazed at the talent and the strength of faith of all of you here at Christ the King Church. I am blessed to be your Pastor, and I firmly believe that together we will do great things for the Kingdom of God.
But your commitment is needed. Your church and your Lord need your time and your talent. Christ the King operates solely on the financial contributions of its members. I ask you to pray diligently about your role and your contribution, both in your time and your financial giving, to the ministries of Christ the King.
The biblical pattern for giving is the tithe, 10% of your time and your net income. For some this might be a worthy goal but a big stretch. Consider starting at 5% for this coming year. I am convinced that Christ the King has been blessed by God in its short (25 year) existence. I am also convinced that together we will do even greater things for the Kingdom of God in this place in the days and years to come.
