Leaders in Generosity

Ask disciples Bill and Carolyn Isham why they so generously give of their time, talents, and treasures to St. John’s and their quick answer is, “Habit!” Probe a little further and you’ll find that their motivation for giving actually goes much deeper.

Carolyn explains, “God has given me everything that I have. How can I not give back to God what already belongs to Him?” With her quick wit, she then adds, “God even gave me my husband Bill. I’ve been trying to give him back ever since, but God won’t take him!” Sitting next to her, Bills shows an ornery smile on his face and echoes, “Nope, God just won’t take me back!” Despite their joking with one another, their love for each other, for Christ, and for Christ’s church is glaringly evident.

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St. John's to Partner with LSTC
 

Currently a white collar sits in my dresser drawer, waiting for September 2. That is the day I begin nine months of Ministry in Context (MIC) at St. John’s, spending seven hours a week learning about how to be a pastor. I am halfway done with my seminary studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and plan to finish in December 2020. I am excited and nervous to start leading worship, preaching and teaching. I will also be doing a ministry project. The foundation of all this, and the part I am especially looking forward to, is listening and learning, particularly from lay people, about what makes an effective pastor. In addition to supervision and guidance from Pastor Pam, I will meet periodically over the course of the year with a Ministry in Context lay committee: Elizabeth Barkley, Colin Helton, Christine Lee, Mark Mifflin, Mistrale Yonpam Nacteta and Sara Schmitt. Your prayers for them and for me are greatly appreciated.

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Pastor Greg Busboom
Lead Pastor
pbusboom@stjohns-springfield.org

“For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward” (Mark 9:41). 

To be a disciple of Jesus is to give. Disciples give their time. Disciples give their talents. Disciples give their treasures. Disciples give themselves in loving relationship to others. 

Each fall here at St. John’s, we ask the disciples of Jesus in this place to prayerfully discern how God is calling each of us to give in the coming year. As we look ahead to 2019, your faith-filled generosity is needed more than ever to support our ever-growing ministries. 

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