Defining Moments

A Call to Commitment

When we planted this church we call Living Oaks five years ago, we adopted as our purpose statement the 4 “Cs” that had formed the purpose for our mother church, Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, since the mid-1970s: Celebrate (worship), Cultivate (discipleship), Care (fellowship) and Communicate (evangelism). Most churches include those elements in their purpose, although they may use different words. However, we added a “C”—Commit (stewardship).

Our leadership agreed that along with the initial 4 “Cs” we were called to commit everything with which we have been entrusted to accomplish His work. We are called to be good stewards of our time, talent and treasure; which means that we invest those things in carrying out God’s plan on earth through the church. And, as we have seen in our study of the book of Esther, there are risks and rewards associated with commitment.

These are challenging times for just about every ministry I know of out there. Large churches, small churches, radio and television ministries and para-church organizations are all feeling the crunch of the economic downturn. During lean times people either can’t, or are reluctant to give. Our church is no exception. But, thankfully, so far, we have been far less affected than many churches and Christian ministries. For that, I thank God and those of you who have given; some very generously and sacrificially.

So, what about our vision for ministry? What about our plans, including expansion of our facilities? Well, let me share something with you that I wrote during a recent trip to Hume Lake Christian Camp, unable to sleep, praying for our church, at 3:30 a.m.:

God has been known to speak on the mountain top. At least His voice seems to stand out. From Moses to the countless decisions made for Christ at Christian Camps, often the voice of God is heard more clearly when we get away to a serene place in nature, above the din and the pressures of everyday life.

I awoke early this morning, unable to sleep-in on my first day of vacation at Hume Lake. I tossed and turned, thinking about Living Oaks Community Church. We are at a crossroads. We are on the brink of taking on challenging financial commitments at a time when giving is down and the general economy is bad. Added facilities and staff are presenting costs that exceed our current patterns of income by considerable amounts. We simply can’t afford to do what we have planned unless something changes and soon.

I’m convinced that God desires that we expand our facility and ability to meet the needs of the adults and children of our church, including those God will add to our number. I believe our plan for this phase of growth is sound and necessary. I believe that we have a healthy number of staff for our current size and enough to care for people as our numbers begin to grow again. I don’t believe we should change our plans or reduce our staff for financial reasons.

What needs to change? With a united voice and passion, we must call our people to a higher level of commitment. I feel strongly that this is the reason God directed me to teach Esther: “The Risks and Rewards of Commitment” this fall. We must embrace and communicate a specific theme in the coming days, weeks and months: A Call to Commit. God is calling each and every one of us to move to the next level of commitment.

There is no reason that we cannot claim the vision God has given us; there is no deficit in His account. God is allowing us to face a challenge. Will we take the risk or back down and settle for what is comfortable, safe and devoid of reward?

Living Oaks is in a unique and exciting place right now—a place unlike ever before. But God’s miracu lous power—the power that built our church—is still in full force. Pray we don’t let it pass us by.

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”—Zechariah 4:6 NKJV