Faith Promise

Every year during the Fall Missions Explosion, we talk a lot about faith promises. We promote faith promises, we collect faith promises, and we encourage everyone to make a faith promise. We collect the faith promise cards and tally up the totals. We set goals and make plans based on faith promises. But in reality, very few people actually make a faith promise. Most make a missions pledge. The term faith promise has been made synonymous with our budgeted giving to missions. Is there something wrong with making a missions pledge? Of course not. The term "worship" has come to mean "song service" to much of the church world, but that doesn't mean it is wrong to sing songs to the Lord. What happens in these instances is that we settle for much less than is promised by accepting something that is "good" instead of pressing in for what is "best". Just as worship takes on many more forms than just singing, faith promise carries a much deeper meaning than just giving monthly to help missions. Faith promise carries the promise of a more intimate relationship with God and a more exciting experience in the Holy Spirit.

When we give a monthly amount to missions, that is good. We are using some of our disposable income to help others; most of whom we will never meet. But there is little faith element involved. We know we can afford to give a certain amount and we give it. It is a healthy spiritual discipline, but there is a greater experience available.

So, what exactly is a faith promise? I'll go into more detail tomorrow.