Is the Church My Family When I Die?

by John Braun

A nice thing that we do when a church member moves and connects with another church is send a letter to transfer membership. In that letter, we commend the beloved member into the care and spiritual nurture of another church family. It is a deeply meaningful acknowledgment that we are the body of Christ, those who reveal Jesus’ presence by how we love one another, and therefore, participants in the living good news or gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Our separations at death are in the same spirit. The recent death of Bunah Plank is a reminder. We celebrate her life and give thanks to God for her through the watery veil that coats our eyes. We take her life and all our memories, then commend her and them to God, our Creator, and Christ, our friend. She is in good care and we believe that she is rejoicing with youthful vigor in that presence, where the light of God is life itself. As her church family, we are glad and assured in our own faith.

But something important that happens in families seems to elude us in the church family. Our consideration of loved ones causes us to include them in our estates and wills. As God has blessed us, we want some of that blessing to pass along into the future of our loved ones. But

Your church is not a charity. It is your family. Your work and your laughter, your worship and your spirit have helped to form it and give it a heritage.

 few of us remember to return a portion of the blessings of our lives to God and to our church family. How can that be, when the church is and has been much a big part of our lives?

That made sense in the light of the preponderance of elderly people in the congregation. If we would remember the church in our wills and designate a grateful tithe to the Jubilee Fund, then the earnings of the fund could help our church family remain vital and engaged in ministry as God leads for many years.

Some people did remember their church family in planning for death. There is just over $80,000.00 in the Jubilee Fund. Most have not done so, even those who have willed major amounts to other charities.  

Your church is not a charity. It is your family. Your work and your laughter, your worship and your spirit have helped to form it and give it a heritage. Why not also treat it as part of your family in your will? Your church family should never be left in the awkward position of begging for funds.

Remember. The Jubilee Fund is your channel for continuing to support Olympic View long after you begin rejoicing in heaven.   May God bless you!