What are your gifts and talents?

Dear LTCC Family,

The Love One Another benevolence team has made a shift; a shift from needs based thinking and assistance to asset based thinking and assistance.  What does that mean?  

 

In short, it means we are spending a lot more time WITH the people who come to us with financial needs.  Instead of paying a bill based on a small amount of information (needs based assistance), we are meeting face to face with each person first.  We are inviting them to have real conversations about where they are in life and how we can come alongside them to support them in their efforts using the gifts and resources they already have (asset based assistance). 

 

In this mission, we do not pretend to have all the answers but to serve as an ally to encourage and empower them to participate in their own solutions using their gifts.  Identifying and utilizing their own gifts creates more lasting solutions, instead of relying on others to meet their needs repeatedly.

 

Forming these personal relationships allows us to pray with them, share life and the love of Jesus with them and encourage them into right relationship with God, self, others and the rest of creation….so much more than simply assisting with a financial shortcoming.

 

Clearly not every person will be open to this type of assistance, but we are already so encouraged by those who are:

 

  • S – S is so incredibly overwhelmed.  She is now a single mom with one special needs child and one with significant health issues.  She works full time (plus overtime when possible) rising early to be at work at 4 am so she can then be home for her kids after school.  We have spent several hours with her, brainstorming, praying and trying to help her navigate other sources of assistance.  We will help her financially but more importantly we have formed a lasting relationship with her through which we can share about our hope in Jesus.

 

  • J & L – This Christian couple hit the perfect storm, running out of savings as he was unexpectedly laid off.  After meeting with them in person, texting often and sharing phone calls about their situation, we could see their hearts for doing all they could to utilize their own gifts and resources.  It was a joy to come alongside them to support them in their efforts.  And they expressed that they were blessed by our love, financial support, encouragement and prayers.

 

  • C – We met with her several times but follow through was difficult for her.  We pray that she is able to come to a place where she is ready to recognize her own gifts and responsibilities and apply them.

 

  • A – A continues to call to talk through her situations.  We have shared the gospel clearly and are praying she will choose to turn to God and away from her comfortable sin.

 

As we continue to invest in people in this new way, we would like to encourage you to do the same.  Who, in your sphere of influence, would be empowered by the question, “what are your gifts and talents?”.   Who is struggling to make ends meet and could use your support?  Can we come alongside you in your efforts?

 

  • L – L is a person in our church who saw a need in her sphere of influence.  The Love One Another benevolence team was able to come alongside her and financially support her efforts to serve a man in need whose car was stolen and whose job depended on transportation.  Recipient and giver were both blessed!

 

  • C – C saw one of our Facebook group posts for a need within our church body, and she organized and paid to meet that need.

 

So, when you see churchwide emails or occasional posts in the Love One Another Facebook group informing you of needs within and outside of our church body, it’s these stories that are behind them.  It’s these people behind them.

 

Our team is continually blessed by this church body’s desire and willingness to serve others.  We are so thankful for the many people who contributed to the Thanksgiving baskets for needy families.  The recipients were grateful and I was able to pray with them and share the TryPraying booklets (available at the Love One Another kiosk for you to pick up and share with others!).

Lastly, if you are interested in learning more about poverty alleviation and our call to be part of the solution, please check out these resources:


James 2:15-17 - 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Thank you,

 

Trista Sutherland
for the Elders & Deacons



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Trista Sutherland