Donny’s in Texas this week visiting family, so Elder Jamie Bosten is stepping into the pulpit this morning. And he’s not doing a filler sermon. He’s doing the thing most churches never do — opening the books and talking about how leadership actually works.
First half is about giving. Jamie walks through the church’s real finances — 2025 actuals, where the budget landed, what 2026 looks like. Actual numbers, not vague reassurances. Then he goes to Scripture and gets into the question a lot of us have sat with quietly: how much am I supposed to give? Is it ten percent? More? Less?
He lands on 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “God loves a cheerful giver” — and reframes the whole conversation. Don’t look at your paycheck, calculate ten percent, and say “all right, God, here’s yours.” Start by looking at what God has already given you — especially the things money can’t buy. A family that loves you. Friends who show up. Forgiveness you didn’t earn. When you look at what you’re giving to instead of what you’re giving up, the joy comes on its own.
That’s the shift. Fix your eyes on the God you’re giving to.
Second half is about leadership. Jamie introduces how the Elders are organizing themselves across four areas — spirituality, mission and vision, organization, and relationships — and who’s focused on what. Eight shepherds, one minister, one church secretary, and five-plus deacons. Not everyone needs to be in every conversation or consulted on every decision.
He’s straight about it: you’re going to see more of Donny and Brenda handling daily coordination. You’re going to see some Elders more visible than others. You’re going to see a more intentional approach to Matthew 18 when it comes to conflict. And you’re going to see the church leaning on the resources God has put in front of us — from the Riverbend Food Bank to MinistrySafe to Church Law and Tax.
Jamie closes with Hebrews 13 — a prayer that God would equip us with everything we need for doing His will. That’s the heart behind all of this. Not a corporate reorg. A team of servants figuring out how to steward their talents better.
We love, respect, and trust each other and God. So we don’t all need to do everything. We just each need to do our part.
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 · Deuteronomy 16:17 · Luke 6:38 · Matthew 24:14-30 · Matthew 18:8-9, 15-17, 21-22 · Hebrews 13:17-21
