cultivate offering
december 8th
what is it?
As we approach the end of the year, we take time as a church to pause and reflect on how God has been faithful to us and worked through us this year. On December 8th, we'll come together as a church family to express our gratitude for what He has done and sow into the next season of our church through our "Cultivate Offering.” This offering is an opportunity to sow a seed above what we would normally tithe, to allow us to go beyond where we would normally go.
tithe vs offering
The Bible teaches that when we give the first fruits of our income back to God, it's an act of trust. It's acknowledging that all we have comes from Him. Tithing, giving the first 10% of our income, is a tangible way we can honor God and rely on His provision. Beyond the tithe, we can also give offerings, gifts that go above and beyond our regular giving.
why "cultivate"?
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul reminds us that while we may plant and water, it is God who makes things grow. When we give to this end of year offering, we're not just showing our gratitude for what God has done for us, we’re partnering with Him to cultivate the ground for what He will do through us to advance His kingdom. Simply put, the seed we sow may leave our hands, but it will never leave our lives.
We want to ask you to pray about this offering. Pray that God would make you aware of what He has already done, that He would make you aware of what He is asking you to cultivate in this next season, and that He would begin to speak to you about the seed that you can sow into this offering.
Together, we can cultivate an even greater reach and impact in the year ahead.
what is our vision?
The entire vision statement for Church For The One can be read below, but here is a quick overview: We will be a church that is obsessed with the one, focused on reaching those who are doubting, done with religion, and disengaged from faith. A church that feels such urgency to share the good news of Jesus and help others claim their divine purpose that our comfort no longer factors into the equation. The life of our church is the activated faith of every individual. Our commitment is to engage 1% of Lakeland in active ministry and to celebrate the baptism of 3,571 people before 2030. We are the Church.
cultivate faith stories
how do I give?
Our “Cultivate Offering” will take place during our services on Sunday, December 8th at our Highland Park, North Lakeland, and Online campuses. We're inviting every member of our church family - adults, youth, and kids - to take part! You'll find offering envelopes on your seat (and virtually online) with instructions on how to give. If you're unable to attend on December 8th, you can still give online through January 8th.
in-person
We're so grateful for your commitment and contribution in this season of celebration, as we come together to demonstrate radical generosity and prepare the ground for God to work through us. Let's show the world that we believe our God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, and that He wants to partner with us to do it through us!
Every ONE (Kids and Youth too!) who takes part in this offering will be given a t-shirt to mark the milestone. This shirt is not compensation for giving, it serves as a reminder that generosity is our lifestyle, it's who we are. Every time we see the shirt or put it on it will remind us that it is better to give than to receive and that we will continue to cultivate what needs to grow, so that God can move miraculously in us and through us.
our vision
We seek to reshape the perception of the Church's relevance by becoming the first place people look to for identity, community, and help. We will be a church that is "obsessed with the one", focused on reaching those who are doubting, done with religion, and disengaged from faith; a church that feels such urgency to share the good news of Jesus and help others claim their divine purpose that our comfort no longer factors into the equation.
The life of our church is the activated faith of every individual. We will always call people to a step forward toward Jesus, believing that everyone has gifting and calling upon their life, regardless of their current starting point. We seek to connect people to the bigger thing that God is doing by leading them from serving while being discipled, to discipling while serving. We will build a foundation of faith through Scripture that people can always rely upon, a springboard for their future calling.
Our call is to transform our community, building the leaders and shaping the systems so that our community would look more like God's kingdom than it does today. Our commitment is to engage 1% of Lakeland in active ministry and to celebrate the baptism of 3,571 people before 2030. While we begin in our neighborhoods, we will not allow our current address to define our future footprint but will expand in our influence and ethnic diversity. We seek to continuously make a greater impact through helping other churches, deploying leaders, expanding online, and planting campuses.
This is Church: grace that is not devoid of truth. This is Church: an intergenerational community that swims against the current of prolonged adolescence. This is Church: a people humbled so that we will love as God loves. This is Church: so healthy that the gospel is irresistible. We are not a cruise ship, but a battleship. We are the Church.