Be a part of the 100% engagement by making a two-year commitment to FIRST.
God has called Emergence to pursue Jesus with our FIRST and best. This simple step will not only serve as an opportunity for your growth, but also provide for generations of people to hear the Gospel in the future.
God has called Emergence to pursue Jesus with our FIRST and best. This simple step will not only serve as an opportunity for your growth, but also provide for generations of people to hear the Gospel in the future.
Check out this video from Pastor Ryan as he walks through the Commitment Card with you.
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Commitment worksheet and gift chart
Frequently Asked. Answered.
You've got questions? We love questions. It means you care and want clarity!
Below, you'll find answers to questions we've received. This will continue to grow throughout the course of FIRST.
Below, you'll find answers to questions we've received. This will continue to grow throughout the course of FIRST.
If we are committing to FIRST, how does this change my giving to missions, the general fund, and other special offerings or designated gifts?
During this two-year period, every contribution to God through Emergence is a contribution to our FIRST initiative. Every aspect of the ministry vision God is calling us towards for the next two years will be funded through FIRST. There will not
be separate funds. Every gift that is given to Emergence will go to the three key components of this initiative – to FIRST Importance (our current ministry budget), FIRST Hearers (phase one of our facility expansion, focused on children and student spaces), and FIRST Steps (a portion of phase two of our facility expansion, focusing on lobby enhancements and gathering rooms for new disciples).
be separate funds. Every gift that is given to Emergence will go to the three key components of this initiative – to FIRST Importance (our current ministry budget), FIRST Hearers (phase one of our facility expansion, focused on children and student spaces), and FIRST Steps (a portion of phase two of our facility expansion, focusing on lobby enhancements and gathering rooms for new disciples).
What are you asking me to do?
First and foremost we are asking that you pray and seek God’s leading on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him, and then listen to what He says. Engage in a Community Group during this season, if you haven’t already engaged in one. Engage in personal reflection with God in the FIRST Guide you will be receiving. Talk with your group, your spouse, your family, friends, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life.
We are asking that you make a commitment to gospel-driven, surrendered generosity – whatever it is that God leads you to do. Follow His leading.
Finally, prepare to be amazed. It is an awesome God that we serve, and we anticipate He will move in huge ways as we seek an unprecedented impact from our collective FIRST commitments – something only God can do. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, November 5, and prepare to experience a life- changing worship service that will forever be remembered as a defining moment for our church and for our own faith.
We are asking that you make a commitment to gospel-driven, surrendered generosity – whatever it is that God leads you to do. Follow His leading.
Finally, prepare to be amazed. It is an awesome God that we serve, and we anticipate He will move in huge ways as we seek an unprecedented impact from our collective FIRST commitments – something only God can do. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, November 5, and prepare to experience a life- changing worship service that will forever be remembered as a defining moment for our church and for our own faith.
Are there additional ways besides cash that I can give more towards FIRST?
Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards FIRST. You might have some stocks, property, or other items of that nature. Or you may have some stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He might be calling you to give out of during this time. Please let us know if you need assistance with facilitating gifts of property or stock, and we would be happy to help you with that.
You can contact Steve Hawthorne at steve.hawthorne@emergencenj.org
or 201-230-4371 to make a gift of this type.
You can contact Steve Hawthorne at steve.hawthorne@emergencenj.org
or 201-230-4371 to make a gift of this type.
How long is my commitment?
We are asking that everyone make a two-year commitment. The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with our FIRST Big Give on Sunday, December 3, 2023 and it will culminate in December of 2025.
What if I don’t have a job right now? What does that mean for my FIRST commitment?
FIRST is about your total, prioritized, gospel-driven generosity to God’s mission through Emergence. We believe that God calls us to action in times of hardship just as much as He does in times of abundance, and that looks different for every person. FIRST is about a heart surrender and a trusting of the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your life – something that is only accomplished by seeking the Lord and responding to His call and His Word. So that may mean that you are being challenged to sell things, to pick up odd jobs, or even to trust God in faith by making a commitment that you don’t quite know how to fulfill right now but that you believe God will provide for as you seek for ways to sacrifice and work towards that commitment. We would love for 100% of us to be a part of FIRST so that we can all be supporting, loving, encouraging, and praying for one another through this spiritually-stretching season at Emergence.
What if I’m moving within the next two years or if I am uncertain about how long I’ll be a part of Emergence?
The truth is that none of us know exactly what our future will hold. That’s the beauty and challenge of taking steps of faith! We want to encourage you that even if you’re not sure if you’ll be a part of Emergence for the full span of the next two years, we invite you to still commit to generosity and be a part of this life-changing endeavor God has for our church in this season. If needed, you may modify your commitment at any time. But often, people will continue to support Emergence even after they’ve left the area as a ministry they continue to be a part of into the future. If you happen to move out of the area, we would love for that to be your story!
What if I am significantly in debt right now? Am I still supposed to give?
If you are someone currently seeking to make payments to pay off debt right now, we commend you for making progress on that. And you should continue to do so. We would be happy to help you in this journey and/or to recommend a budgeting class that might minister to you. Being in debt does not, however, make someone “excused” from giving. Giving isn’t about what God wants from you; rather, it’s about what God wants for you. So it should be our joy and privilege to give at all times, regardless of the amount or percentage. Please contact our Benevolence Team through emergencenj.org if you need assistance with paying off debt while still giving or if you would like to speak with a budgeting counselor, and we would be honored to help.
What if I have never even given to Emergence before?
FIRST was crafted specifically with you in mind. FIRST is a “one fund” generosity initiative, meaning that it is different from a traditional capital campaign in which you are called to give an extra gift above and beyond your normal giving - thus creating two steps for people who aren’t yet giving. FIRST is a call to prioritized, gospel-motivated generosity for absolutely everyone at Emergence. If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with committed giving. We really hope you will.
What if I am new around here?
FIRST is about the vision for our church and our personal discipleship in giving as followers of Jesus. We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give towards, and we would really love for you to make Emergence your home and join us in FIRST. If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church. We need you on the team!
What if I haven’t been baptized yet?
Great question. People take different spiritual steps at different times. Some people begin praying before they begin attending church. Others join a Community before they begin talking to God in prayer. Giving is another spiritual step, and it comes at different times for different people. One thing is for sure, however. Just like other spiritual disciplines, giving draws us closer to God. And God is calling ALL of us to give. Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19) Whether you have taken the spiritual step of baptism or whether you haven’t yet, we would encourage you to still join us in this FIRST initiative. We firmly believe that it will draw you closer to God and hopefully to a place where you are ready to make the decision to become baptized and to surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ.