Updated January, 2011.

Over a decade ago the leadership of John Knox Presbyterian Church had a vision of growing God’s kingdom in this community. To fulfill the vision of being a Purpose Driven church JKPC committed to steward the existing campus beginning in 1998. Everything with excellence is a core value here at JKPC and that is true for the campus and facilities you see today. These renovations moved us into a place of visible prominence in the community, providing more opportunities to host the community, and allowed us to become a community center. The overall hope was to turn our face to the community by opening the campus to all including those with limited mobility. The vision of building up God's kingdom on this site by maximizing the property given to us has been accomplished

Equal Sacrifice....

Not Equal Gifts.

God sacrificially gave his very best, His son Jesus, to us and He asks us to also give our best back to Him.  The best of our time, our talents and our treasures.

To “sacrifice” means to willingly give the best I have for a greater purpose. While we all cannot give the same amount, we all can sacrifice somehow.  This way everyone can have a part.  For some, a “sacrificial” gift given over 3 years may be $1,000.  For others, a “sacrifice” may be closer to $100,000. God will impress a specific amount on your heart if you sincerely ask him to speak to you

Over & Above Giving

Our Building Our Lives for God giving needs to be in addition to our regular giving, otherwise our ministries will suffer.

MY PERSONAL GIVING COMMITMENT:

A GUIDE FOR DISCERNING GOD’S WILL (maybe make this a link to a separate page??)

An important decisions you will make during this 3 year campaign will be the decision about your own giving commitment.

As you begin praying about your commitment, please keep in mind that our theme is “EQUAL SACRIFICE, NOT EQUAL GIFTS.”  Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in dollars.  However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.

As you pray and consider what your commitment will be, remember - this campaign is a multi-year commitment and most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a several year period.

There are two basic approaches to giving:

1. I can give based on REASON.  This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount.  It takes no faith to give by reason.  Reason asks, “What can I afford?”

2. I can give based on REVELATION.  This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?”  This requires faith.  When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship.  Revelation giving is asking “How much am I willing to trust God?”

Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more than they could afford!”  2 Cor. 8:3

SUGGESTED STEPS FOR DETERMINING GOD’S WILL 

1. Begin by praying every day, “Lord, I want to give sacrificially.  Now please show me how to give a gift that will stretch my faith.” 

2. Give yourself time!   Don’t rush your decision.  You’ll find that the longer you genuinely pray “Show me how,”  the more ways God will show you, and you’ll be able to give more than what you first thought.

3. Plan a family conference to discuss ways to give.  Ask your family members to be thinking of ideas in advance.  Be sure to involve your children, no matter how young they are.  This is a great opportunity to teach giving and faith.

4. As a family read the following Bible promises and instructions and make a list of what you learn:

Prov. 3:9-10; Prov. 11:24-25;    Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2;

2 Cor. 8:1-12; 2 Cor. 9:6-12;     Matthew 6:19-20.

5. As a family, ask yourselves aloud these questions:

Regarding a one-time cash gift:

 How much money could we gather in the next month?

 Is there anything we could sell or convert to cash?

 Do we have any tangible gifts we could give?

Regarding a multi-year pledge:

 Are there ways we could decrease our expenses in order to make a larger commitment?

 Are there ways we could increase our income in order to make a larger commitment?

6. Decide as a family the total amount you’ll give, hold hands and have a prayer of commitment similar to this:

“Father, this is a big step for us.  We’re asking you to strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually through giving.  We thank you for all you have given us.  We know we wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for you.  We want to be cheerful givers.  We’re claiming the promises you’ve said in your Word that you’ll take care of our needs if we trust you.  Thank you for this opportunity to grow.  Thank you for our church.  Help us to reach our goal. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”