ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
April 28, 2026
I’m in Indianapolis for the semiannual Board Meeting of the Christian Church Foundation. It is an extraordinarily talented and amazingly smart group of people, both staff and other board members. I sort of feel like the amateur in the room, though folks are very kind in explaining things. The Christian Church Foundation (CCF) helps people do good things with their money. It currently has $1.4 billion under management, and each year, CCF distributes millions of dollars to local congregations, campgrounds, Disciple-related universities, and so many other expressions of our denomination. Many of the funds were started by a local church member who created a charitable gift annuity where the donor received a tax benefit, plus an annual payment based on age. Upon death, the hope is to have 50-75% of the original gift available for a ministry. Some people have set up annuities with $10,000, others with $500,000 or more. The first one set up within our denomination was $300 in the late 1800s. There are many other tools and financial instruments that CCF uses and manages on behalf of individuals, churches, and church-related ministries. Yes, there have been some very large gifts given over the years, but the bulk of the money for ministry came from a lot of small and medium gifts that are now providing regular payments to support ministries around the globe. And today I am thankful for the thousands of faithful people who so passionately believed in their church or a related ministry that they wanted to support it even beyond death. For that, I say, “Thanks be to God!”
For the generosity of the Spirit, O Merciful One, we are thankful. And our gratitude continues to pour forth for all those who have been inspired by your great example of giving. Amen.
