Each Sunday at New Covenant, we are invited to worship in our giving with the statement, “Generosity is the outflow of a discipled life.” This is a profoundly true statement that has been part of the transforming journey I have experienced as a follower and apprentice of Jesus.

As a result of my work with Bill Junk and the leadership of New Covenant, I have been given the opportunity to work with the church's members and ministries on stewardship, legacy, and endowment giving. I look forward to getting better acquainted and hearing your story of how God has helped you grow in your experience and expression as a steward of God’s grace and as a disciple of Jesus.

One of my mentors in stewardship taught me there are three pockets from which our giving flows.

• The first pocket is our annual income. For most, it is the income reported on our W2s and 1099s. From this amount we budget to meet our living expenses and give our tithes, gifts, and offerings to support the ministries of New Covenant.

• The second pocket of giving comes from accumulated assets, such as savings, investments, real estate, and other appreciated assets (e.g., a bass boat). This pocket is where we reach out to give toward the church's special needs that require more funds than annual giving can meet. When New Covenant has a need to improve or repair facilities or add ministries that require resources above and beyond current giving, the church's leadership might organize a long-term capital funding campaign. Members are asked to consider making a pledge to donate an amount to meet the need, over a three or four-year period. Our response is usually based on this second pocket of accumulated or appreciated assets. Bonnie and I have been able to contribute to more than one capital campaign from accumulated assets. On one occasion, we transferred stock we were given. In a recent case, we designated a portion of a Required Minimum Distribution from a retirement fund.

• The third pocket, the one most neglected, is a gift from our estate that reflects our values and faith. Each of us has the possibility to invest in God’s kingdom and witness to God’s transforming work in our lives through a gift recorded in our will or trust. Many of our brothers and sisters will miss this witness to our faith and values, not because they lack the will to be generous, but because they lack A WILL, the actual document that carries their generosity forward. Or if they do have a will, have left no instruction to give a portion of all that God has entrusted to them for God’s work.

It is my desire, as part of the New Covenant family, to get better acquainted with you and your journey as an apprentice/disciple with Jesus. Then, to help you utilize this third pocket to leave a gift that witnesses to the transforming work of God in your life and furthers the work of God to honor and glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus.

In Christ,

Darrell Cates (Nathan’s Dad, Jonah, Immy, Jubilee & Margot’s Grandpa)
Pastor of Stewardship and Legacy