"Counting the Cost"

In June and July we move from one fiscal year to the other at Resurrection. It is a month spent in planning and prayer by the Pastors and Leadership of our Church. There are a number of elements that have to be taken into consideration as we try to decide our course for the coming year. One of the most important things is to know God's direction for us. Unless we move with God, we move alone. Doing this is not as mystical or complicated as it sounds. Though it most certainly involves prayer and listening, Jesus has made it very plain what the main purpose of the Body of Christ would be. It is primarily with these directions in the Bible that we set our directions. First we are to reach out and proclaim the Kingdom of God. We do this by inviting others to find the same safety and love of God that we ourselves have found in Jesus. In short we are to Invite Others. Second we are to Disciple or teach those new sisters and brothers what in means to follow Christ as a mature Christian. We are to help them Grow. Third we are to work out our faith in service, both inside our congregation and outside. We are to Serve.

To accomplish these primary purposes we have to build an organizational structure and provide a place to carry out our ministry and fund it. This means planning concerning our finances and human resources. Jesus had to deal with these concerns in much the same way as we do. He had a core set of volunteers who were committed to his cause. A number of his followers or disciples were people of means, Matthew the tax collector and Chuza, Herod's steward come to mind right away. These people were committed to the Kingdom of God as Jesus presented it and they were willing to give their time and money to help Jesus carry out his ministry.

To those who wish to to follow him, Jesus was very blunt. There is a personal cost involved. He didn't need cheering fans who watched, he needed people who were willing to knuckle down and play the game. Don't let the metaphor fool you; Jesus ministry is life and death serious. Reading Jesus own words about this subject in the following passage show us that clearly.

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you. Intending to build a tower, does does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish." Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. "Salt is good' but if salt has lost its taste how can its saltiness be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile" they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"
(NRS Luke 14:27-31)

This teaching is not about taking a vow of poverty. It is about commitment and being willing to walk alongside Jesus and pay the cost of discipleship just as those who gathered around Jesus have always done. As we continue to plan for our congregation many of us are beginning to believe that Jesus can really use us in a big way. We can make a real difference in the lives of the children of the Tri Valley area by expanding our current ministries. And we can proved a place where individuals and families can worship in the presence of God and a loving community. To do this however we need willing volunteers and strong financial partners.

We can and do make a difference here at Resurrection. But for the last few years we have been pulling back a little as we worked through this difficult transitions. This coming year we need to expand our reach. To do this we all have to count the cost, both in the time we are willing to commit and the money we are willing to set aside for Jesus' ministry. At the beginning of this new fiscal year let us all count the cost and commit together to walk with Jesus in common ministry this year at Resurrection Lutheran Church

Pastor Jim Bliss

Pastor's Notes Archive