Smaller Than You Thought

It turns out that the earth is rather smaller than previously estimated. I learned of the discrepancy just the other day. Researcher Axel Nothnagel of the University of Bonn discovered the error, having recently completed a measure of the earth’s … (read more)

Missionary Fielding Cost

Every once and a while I like to update our members as to the amount that it costs to fully support our missionaries. The fielding cost is the total of all expenses necessary to support a missionary for a month … (read more)

The Parishes of Oxfordshire (c) Oxfordshire Church, 2007

A Parish as Big as the World

I have been thinking lately of a little word from the New Testament — a word, like so many, that has changed dramatically over the years. It is a little word with big implications — paroikos, from which we derive … (read more)

The General Fund

There is a certain mystery surrounding the general fund of any charitable organization. It causes a wide range of emotions in people. Some want to avoid giving to general funds; others choose general funds for large donations. I recently came … (read more)

The Blessed Holy Cross

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified….” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2) September brings us an ancient commemoration in the ecclesiastical calendar: “Holy Cross Day.” It falls every year on September 14. The day commemorates the … (read more)

God’s Hand in Chairtable Giving

Gods Hand in Charitable Giving Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change … (read more)

Have You Got Your Taxonomies Straight?

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). This year marks the 300th birthday of the “father of modern taxonomy.” It is possible that you … (read more)

Estate Gifts

Last year we received more than $2.2 million in unsolicited donations. We are on track to receive a similar amount this year. In addition to these day-to-day gifts, we are sometimes the recipients of estate gifts. In 2006 we received … (read more)

Called!

It is a little word, in many ways, and unassuming. Yet it is large enough to convey our deepest Christian identity — and our mandate as Christians in the world. “Kaleo,” in New Testament Greek. “Called.” “In the use of … (read more)

Missionary Support Levels

Support level is the amount of designated support as a percentage of fielding cost that is, the amount necessary to field a missionary, including allowance, housing and benefits. If a missionarys fielding cost is $15,000 and the amount of support … (read more)