Conviction and Accountability

Conviction and accountability are two words that blip rapidly on my radar these days.

Early this year, my friend Bonnie shared a plan she had to do a coffeehouse/concert to raise money for one of two organizations our Single Adult group is giving to this year for missions. She shared,

“The story behind this project is that about a year ago I was really convicted that I had been living too long in my little bubble and had lost sight of all of the needs around me. Basically, I needed to be living more sacrificially and give. For me, the money issue is one side of the coin and I’m making progress, but on the other side of the coin is my lack of availability and lack of discipline in giving of my skills and talents.”

It is interesting how the Holy Spirit works to convict. Bonnie’s obedience in following through on her conviction in turn led to my conviction. I am in similar financial circumstances in that I don’t have much to give. I also wasn’t sure how my particular talents might fit into the coffeehouse idea.

This past Sunday as our Single Adult Minister talked about “The Ark” and “One Verse”, and Bonnie’s coffeehouse, he encouraged us to think of other fun ways we could raise money for these two worthwhile organizations. My friend Jack, half jokingly said something about memorizing verses for One Verse. I mostly brushed it off, but my mind wandered briefly in Sunday School and I started thinking about the possibility of getting people to pledge money for me to memorize the book that we are sponsoring through One Verse. I believe this is my contribution. It is something that I can do that will also require something of me—namely discipline. It is also meaningful to me because the people group for whom we are doing this are a people group from Nigeria.

I’m still working on some of the logistics of this before sending out official pledge letters, but here are some of my thoughts and I’d appreciate feedback.

Book to Memorize: 1 Timothy

Deadline: I don’t know whether to make it October 5^th which is the same day as the coffeehouse but very soon, or to make it later in the year. I’ve thought about maybe giving people the risk/challenge for me of doubling their pledge for however far I am able to get by October 5^th

Pledge options: One time donation, by verse…

Payment: made to Tallowood (so that I’m not handling any of it)

This is my conviction. I am posting this now in part because I need help with logistics and in part because I need to accountability.