More on Mammon

Following my sermon (on the Prosperity Gospel) and then the Congregational Meeting at which we discussed and approved the budget for FY2013, a church member asked me: “So how do you serve both?”  I was confused: “Not sure what you mean?  How do I serve what ‘both’?”  “How do you serve both God and mammon.”

     She had taken in all of the morning’s events and was coming back to the Christian scripture I had quoted in the sermon: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)  Mammon, I had explained, was a pejorative term early Christians used to describe excessive wealth, especially unjust gain and greed.  Mammon was personified as a false god.  Hence, Jesus was teaching, in what is commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount,” you’ve got to choose between serving good (God) and evil (greed/Mammon).

     Continuing with my conversation: “I don’t think I serve both [God and mammon],” I said.  “Yes you do," she replied. "You’re a minister of the church and you’re the CEO.  You are serving God and mammon.  I'm just curious as to how do you do both?”
     She’s right.  I am a minister of the church and I fulfill a CEO-like role as the Senior Minister (operating under our version of policy governance).  For some - for her - there is an inherent conflict between those two roles; it’s like trying to serve God and mammon.  Honestly, before I had to do them both - at the same time - I would have said there was a conflict; I would have dismissed doing them both as not real ministry.  But I don’t see it that way any more.  Now I say: What better way to do ministry than to help give direction to our shared resources of material, time and spirit; I cannot think of a greater challenge than to bring the full passion and commitment of the members and friends to shaping the Beloved Community (of dignity, respect and justice for all); I am committed to a ministry with you which aligns our shared treasure with our collective heart.  It’s in this sense that the inspiration and experience of Sunday worship and the FY2013 budget are deeply connected for in each we name what we value and aspire to; each names hopes, yearnings, dreams, needs, and expectations.  These are the very things that all people seek in order to arrive at completeness and meaning.  I don’t believe there is anything mammon-like about these.  The inspiration, commitment and vision - the resources that we bring to our ministry - that help us shape the Beloved Community is where our heart is; this is a sacred and holy aspiration.  I don’t see any false gods there; Mammon doesn’t live here.

     “I don’t serve both,” I said in my conversation.  “As your Senior Minister, I believe my ministry and the congregation’s vision are one and the same.  Mammon, as I referred to it in my sermon, describes greed and unjust and undeserved wealth.  That doesn’t describe what UUCA is about.”  There was a pause.  “Hmmm,” she replied.  “I’ll have to think about that.”

     That’s all we can ask.  Be thoughtful, reflect.  In this season of Advent - of heightened expectation and anticipation - where is your “treasure” and where is your “heart”?  Are they in alignment?  Blessed be! if they are.  But if not, what will help to steer you away from “mammon”?
     See you soon and take care … and have a great December!
              Fred

Generosity of Spirit (CL)

I have been spending a lot of time, these past couple months, thinking about money. I am planning a wedding, buying a house, and now that my car’s engine has developed some really strange noises, buying a new car, too. All while paying off large student debt.

Money is one of those unpleasant topics which most of us try to avoid thinking about, or talking about, most of the time. Indeed, our society has taught us that discussing money in public is something “polite” people don’t do. But it is that frame of mind that has kept us from honestly discussing the purpose and value of money. We are taught to think of it as an end in itself, rather than a means to a useful end. Some people even consider money "evil." We are woefully uneducated as to the ways our economy and banking systems work. 

What if, instead of fearing money, we were empowered to use it in service to our values?

All of these thoughts about money are swirling in my mind while the church’s administrative team and finance committee work to plan the upcoming budget and stewardship campaign. It’s that time of year again... We will talk about money.

The theme for the month of October is “Vision.” The vision for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is to create the Beloved Community by empowering and inspiring all souls to live bold and compassionate lives. Creating the Beloved Community… that’s a big (bold) vision!

Throughout October we will have meetings to discuss that vision, and importantly, how the budget is reflected in the vision, and how we hope that the congregation will give so generously that we can expand the vision further. We will be asking you, what’s your vision? What is it that you are looking forward to? This year? Next year? In 20 years?

This year, I am looking forward to...

Exciting music programs planned by Betsy Kraning. 

Committed high school youth making their goals a reality. 

Fighting for Marriage Equality and the DREAM Act with UULM. 

Great new groups and classes, and great ongoing ones, too! 

Growth of our PlayScape, nursery and Spirit Play classes for little ones. 

AWAKE Ministries and the new mid-week worship service.

What are you looking forward to?

The reality of this vision is that each of these things costs money. We are a spiritual community living in the world of reality. We cannot escape utility bills, cost of supplies, or paying our staff a fair salary. Our vision must be reflected in our generosity.

I did the math, and realized that if each adult member of the church gave $1,500/year (that’s $125/month) we would breeze through our budget process and have some to spare for our church’s vision.  I have seen the numbers, and I know that many of you give much more than that. If your life circumstances allow you to give more, please know that we greatly appreciate that generosity… Many people cannot give that much, and we understand and appreciate whatever you can give. But as you make your pledge, please consider that number: $1,500 per adult member. Look honestly at your household finances and also consider how much the church means to you.

I don’t know if you realize this, but your ministers and many of the staff also make a pledge and pay to support the vision of the church.  Fred and Susan are among our top givers! As I planned my budget, including how much I can afford for my house or car payments, I included my pledge to the church in that process. I chose to give $1,500 because I can. I calculated what I can afford for my home and car payments after taking that amount out of my budget.

We know that every circumstance is different. We are not asking you to accumulate debt or be financially irresponsible in order to increase your pledge. But we are asking you to consider your pledge to the church as a forethought, and not an afterthought.

The church is here to help you grow in your life, in your values, and your connections to others. Please know that we are here for you if you have lost a job or are struggling financially. We have knowledgeable people who can help you plan your budget or find resources in the community. I am offering a class in December to help you talk to kids about money, so we can break the cycle of silence on this topic. Money isn’t a topic to avoid or fear. It’s a topic to engage honestly and with love.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to honest conversation about money, about generosity, and about vision. I’m looking forward to a year of bold and compassionate living.

Let’s make it happen, together!