Book Reviews for Lutherans

Churches are always struggling financially. There are stewardship drives, bake sales, Bingo games, car washes, pledge drives, and a whole host of items sold all to keep a congregation solvent.

Unfortunately, there is too great an emphasis on the dollars and sense at the expense of the time and talents of the members, which is also of considerable worth to the church. Usually a charge of "All the church wants is money!" wakes up the leadership to focus on time and talents that each person has. (By the way, do people stay away from the movies, sports events, theater, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., because "all they want is money?" Because in essence these vehicles of capitalism are really after your money! That's how they stay in business.)

Rev. Denny Bellesi probably felt the same frustration. He doesn't say that. He only mentions a dream he had for outreach and how watching the movie Pay it Forward prompted him and his wife, co-author Leesa, to put the plan into motion. To be sure it took some convincing to get the Board of Outreach for his church to agree, but they agreed. Not every church is willing to vote "aye" to spend $10,000 if a building isn't going to be erected.

Here was the Kingdom Assignment as Denny saw it. He would give 100 people $100 (that comes to the $10,000 investment). They were to remember three conditions:
1. The money was not theirs; it belonged to God; 2. They were to invest the money to extend the Kingdom of God. This could take on several forms: Buy dinner for a homeless person, help a person get their car fixed, start a ministry were examples. 3. The volunteers were to report what happened in 90 days.

Now, remember that initial investment: $10,000. Gone for good, right?

This book relates the stories of what those people did with their $100 bills. One lady started a book drive for sick children in hospitals and teen shelters. Another lady, successful in business but with an abusive relationship in her past, was led to meet and befriend another lady trying to survive abuse while raising two children and going to night school. One man had lost his daughter and, seemingly, whatever little faith he had in God. He started a drive to provide presents for the children of needy families. Relatives and acquaintances seemed eager to match the $100 of volunteers and be a part of the Kingdom Assignment. Some volunteers were emboldened to ask for matching donations from area merchants.

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