“Counterculture” – Our Stewardship Series on Faithful Living and Generous Giving

Our world is full of messages about success, security, and status. We’re told to hold tightly, accumulate more, and measure our value by comparison. But what if the way of Christ leads us in a completely different direction?

During the month of October, we have launched a four-week series called Counterculture — a call to live generously, love deeply, and root our identity not in the world’s expectations, but in God’s transforming grace.

Rooted in the Wesleyan and United Methodist tradition, we are hearing a call that challenges us to resist the pressures of consumerism and scarcity-thinking. Instead, we’ll explore what it means to be people of compassion, humility, action, and generosity. Throughout October we are looking at how followers of Jesus are invited to live by a different standard — one shaped by God’s love, not by cultural norms.

At the end of the month, you’ll be invited to respond by turning in an Estimate of Giving Card for 2026, as an act of prayerful commitment to live more generously in the year ahead.

We know that giving is about forming our faith and not just about funding a ministry. Already we are seeing powerful ways that our congregation is choosing to live counterculturally every day. Throughout this past year we have seen:

• Members who increased their giving even during uncertain times, trusting God's provision. Last year we saw a 9% increase in giving. My bold vision envisions Cross Winds moving beyond that into double digits in 2026.
• A Congregation who stepped out in faith to hire our Director of Ministries as a full-time position.
• Volunteers who consistently show up for those in need, even when it's inconvenient.
• Contributions to Cross Services that provided, Midwest Mission, and Feed My Starving Children for those in need or with very limited resources.

As we prepare our hearts for this important season, take a moment to reflect: Where is God calling you to live differently? Where might generosity be your own countercultural act of faith?

We look forward to walking this journey together — in worship, in community, and in bold, Spirit-led generosity.

Intention of Giving Form

As one on the journey with you,

Pastor Dianne