{"id":396,"date":"2009-04-21T18:53:49","date_gmt":"2009-04-21T18:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=396"},"modified":"2010-12-22T13:07:58","modified_gmt":"2010-12-22T18:07:58","slug":"6986","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2009\/04\/21\/6986\/","title":{"rendered":"Generosity \u2013 \u2018Paying It Forward\u2019 to Another in Need"},"content":{"rendered":"

KEENE, NH (April 10, 2009) – In 2005, Pastor Garth McGrath received a phone call that would change the congregational life of Monadnock Covenant Church<\/a> in Keene, New Hampshire. The call was from longtime friend Pastor Steve Armfield of Thornapple Covenant Church<\/a> in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
\n
\nArmfield\u2019s church had committed to support a series of mission offerings to help Monadnock pay its mortgage and expand. Thornapple ultimately gave more than $75,000.<\/p>\n

Now, four years removed from Thornapple\u2019s generosity, Monadnock is \u201cPaying it Forward\u201d to Parkside Covenant Church<\/a>, a young congregation in Clifton Park, New York. Monadnock collected a Palm Sunday special offering of $2,300, says McGrath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe take the broader picture of scripture that we\u2019re called into a community of faith. We share in that journey together.”<\/h5>\n

McGrath initially hoped the congregation would raise $500 and was amazed when he learned how much the members had donated. The church raised roughly $1,700, spurred on by church members who anonymously offered to match up to $500. Money has continued to come in.<\/p>\n

The church donated the funds even though the congregation is not yet meeting its own operating budget, McGrath says. He likens the church\u2019s attitude to that referenced by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:1-3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McGrath, who served as associate pastor at Thornapple for almost nine years before moving to New Hampshire, was floored by the generosity of his former church.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were at a crossroads in our church at the time when I was first contacted,\u201d McGrath recalls. \u201cIt was a critical stage of making the decision of whether or not we had the resources to continue moving forward (with our construction plans).\u201d<\/p>\n

The church was considering whether to expand and build a new ministry center. Armfield\u2019s call was part of the discernment process.<\/p>\n

\u201cI received the phone call as an affirmation from God that he wanted the project to move forward,\u201d says McGrath \u201cIt wasn\u2019t something we sought; it just came to us from that church. The timing couldn\u2019t have been more significant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Monadnock built the new ministry center, a space they already are outgrowing. When McGrath heard about the financial hurdles Parkside Covenant faced, he saw an opportunity to pass Thornapple\u2019s generosity on to another church in need.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart really went out to them,\u201d McGrath says. \u201cI know the anxiety that\u2019s attached to that process. When I heard the condition they were in, it just occurred to me – Thornapple came alongside us – we can do something for Parkside.\u201d<\/p>\n

At McGrath\u2019s request, other conference churches have made financial or prayer commitments. He hopes to raise more than $30,000 for Parkside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole of scripture prompts us to ask who\u2019s our neighbor,\u201d the pastor observes. We care for our neighbor when they\u2019re in need,\u201d says McGrath. \u201cWe take the broader picture of scripture that we\u2019re called into a community of faith. We share in that journey together. When part of the body\u2019s strong, we celebrate. When part is weak, we help out. \u201c<\/p>\n

Parkside also obtained its property through an unusual gift. A woman who wasn\u2019t part of the congregation donated the land. To read the story, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KEENE, NH (April 10, 2009) – In 2005, Pastor Garth McGrath received a phone call that would change the congregational life of Monadnock Covenant Church in Keene, New Hampshire. 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