“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age”
Psalm 92:12-14
Flourish Guidebook
Discover how you can flourish.
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The Righteous Flourish
God had blessed us at The Fields, and He is not done. God wants us to continue to flourish. We believe God is inviting us to new experiences, new opportunities, and new adventures!
Over the past several years, we have experienced unprecedented growth at The Fields. Because of this growth, it is time for us to take a new step of faith.
This step of faith will enable us to help even more people KNOW GOD personally.
It will enable us to help even more people FIND FREEDOM from the things that have held them in spiritual bondage.
It will enable us to help even more people DISCOVER PURPOSE for their lives…to begin living a life that glorifies God and fulfills His plan for them.
This step of faith will enable us to help even more people MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the world. This is what will begin to change the spiritual climate of our community and create a lasting legacy for God – changes that will begin today and will be felt for generations.
I can’t wait to see what God does!
Pastor Travis Spencer
We are inviting you to be a part of Flourish with us on this journey to see what God can do in us and through us. I believe we will be amazed at how awesome our God is. This is a defining moment of The Fields, as we walk through this great adventure.
How Will You Respond?
We are asking you to go on a spiritual journey with God and your family—to take the biggest steps of generosity you’ve ever taken.
1. Pray Fervently.
Pray that God would multiply our efforts to make disciples and make much of Christ. Pray that He would do abundantly more than we ask or imagine for His great name.
2. Grow Intentionally.
Attend each Sunday from October 20 through November 17. Engage in the Flourish study with your small group. Learn all you can about God’s heart and will for you and your resources.
3. Commit Fully.
Help us reach our goal of 100% engagement in Flourish. Stand side by side with your church family. Commit to do what God asks. Put your “Yes!” on the table.
4. Give Generously.
Ask God to show you what it looks like to give in a way that changes you. Take whatever steps are required to see it through.
TOTAL
FLOURISH GOAL
$4,600,000
Ministry
We want our local church ministries to flourish. Includes current ministries and operations.
Missions
We will support 25 missionaries, and 20 mission organizations, including local outreach efforts and partnerships.
Facitlities
We will be remodeling our lower-level kid’s ministry and outdoor spaces in Charleston. In Mattoon, we will expand our auditorium, lobby, and kids’ spaces.
Charleston Facility
- Transforming the lower-level into a thriving space for kids ministry.
- Outdoor relational space for people to gather and build relationships.
Mattoon Facility
- Enlarge auditorium to seat 550 people
- Expand lobby by 3 times
- New Kid’s Ministry Expansion
These stages focus on behaviors and attitudes of our hearts—our discipleship—rather than on amounts or percentages. Each step represents growth in a lifestyle of generosity and sacrifice that transforms us into the likeness of Christ who gave up everything.
Initial Giver
An Initial Giver is someone who decides to give for the first time, out of a response to God’s Word about giving. This is someone who decides to give something and trust God and the leaders of the Church with this gift.
Consistent Giver
A Consistent Giver is someone who commits to give something on a regular basis. Consistent Givers start to think of their giving in the same way they think about other budget expenses that are always paid, regardless of seasons of plenty or want. They often set up an online recurring gift to help.
Intentional Giver
Intentional Givers think about giving in relation to other things they spend their money on: “Why do I give the cable company or my cell provider more money than I give to God?” They consider
a percentage or amount they want to commit to in order to consciously grow in their generosity. Intentional Givers look at their budget and consider how their giving reflects their view of God and commitment to His Kingdom. This may also be the point when someone begins to tithe, which is being intentional about a certain amount or percentage that they want to give to God.
Surrendered Giver
A Surrendered Giver is someone who recognizes the cost Christ paid on the cross for us and is surrendered to honoring God with 100% of their resources as a result. A Surrendered Giver gives in a way that changes them. Their giving governs their spending/saving rather than their spending/saving governing their giving. A Surrendered Giver isn’t concerned with what they ARE giving but more concerned with what they’re NOT giving and why. They seek to honor God with 100% of what He has given them, whether direct monetary giving or a God-honoring use of an existing resource like a home or a vehicle.
Lifetime Giver
A Lifetime Giver is someone who thinks about the long-term effects of generosity rather than month-to-month, or even year-to-year, generosity. A Lifetime Giver makes decisions in the short-term that have longer-term effects as it relates to their generosity capacity. They think of what home they buy, what car they purchase, and how much savings they choose to keep all in relation to their generosity capacity. A Lifetime Giver might be someone who has a lifetime giving goal that governs their larger-ticket decisions. Much like a Surrendered Giver makes a commitment that will govern his/her monthly and annual decisions, a Lifetime Giver makes a lifetime or longer-term giving commitment that governs his/her larger-item purchases like homes, cars, investments, and the like.
Ready to take your generosity to the next level? Discover practical strategies to make a lasting impact through your giving. Let’s flourish together!
Upcoming Key Dates
Commitment Sunday : November 17
Big Give Sunday: Dec 8
What are you asking me to do?
First and foremost, we are asking that you pray and seek God’s direction on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him and then listen to what He says. Take your next step. Engage in personal reflection with God in this guide.
Talk with your spouse, your family, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life.
We are asking that you make a sacrificial commitment to gospel-centered generosity whatever it is that God leads you to do. Follow His leading.
Finally, we ask that you prepare to be amazed. We serve an awesome God, and He is going to move in huge ways. We anticipate an unprecedented impact from our collective Flourish commitments—something only God can do. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, November 17 and prepare to experience a life-changing worship service that will forever be remembered as a defining moment for our church and our own faith.
HOW IS FLOURISH DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS GENEROSITY INITIATIVES?
We are more focused on everyone at The Fields seeing their giving as an integral part of the discipleship process and then being challenged by God to take a next step. The bulk of this notebook is focused on helping us dig into some key Biblical principles that guide us in this area as we follow Jesus. This
is our first priority—100% participation in the process. Even
if someone wrote us a check today for our secondary goal of $4,600,000, we would still do this initiative. Whether we’re just starting in our giving journey or we’re very committed givers, we all have a next step to take and room to grow in this area.
HOW DOES $4,600,000 OVER TWO YEARS COMPARE TO CURRENT GIVING AT THE FIELDS?
Our current annual giving is approximately $1,100,000, multiplied by two years is $2.2M. So, in essence, we’re believing God to grow our resources by a little more than $2.4 million per year for a total of $4,600,000.
ARE THERE ADDITIONAL WAYS BESIDES CASH THAT I CAN GIVE TOWARD FLOURISH?
Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give toward Flourish. You might have some stocks, property, or other items of that nature. Or you may have stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He just might be calling you to give 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. Evan Courtney, Executive Pastor is happy to assist with all such gifts. (evan.courtney@thefields.church)
WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER EVEN GIVEN TO THE FIELDS BEFORE?
Flourish was crafted specifically with you in mind. Flourish is a “one fund” generosity initiative. It’s different from a traditional capital campaign where 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. Flourish is a call to sacrificial, gospel-centered generosity for absolutely everyone at The Fields. If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with a committed sacrifice. We really hope you will.
HOW LONG IS MY COMMITMENT?
We are asking that everyone make a two-year (24-month) commitment. The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with Celebration Sunday and our Big Give offering on Sunday December 8 and it will culminate in December 2026.
WHAT IF I AM NEW AROUND HERE?
Flourish 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 toward, and we would really love for you to make The Fields your home and join us in Flourish. 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. The best way to get on the team is to contact info@thefields.church or call (217) 234-2795.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A JOB RIGHT NOW? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MY FLOURISH COMMITMENT?
Flourish is about your total, radical, sacrificial generosity to God’s mission at The Fields. 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. Flourish is about a heart change—one that is only accomplished by surrendering our lives completely over to God in this area of giving and declaring that we are a people who are unfinished. 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 work towards that commitment.
We would like for 100% of us to be a part of Flourish so that we can all be supporting, loving, encouraging, and praying for one another through this spiritually-stretching season at The Fields.
WHAT IF I AM SEVERELY 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, “excuse” someone from giving. Giving isn’t about what God wants from you; rather, it’s about what God wants for you. It should be our joy and privilege to give at all times. Please visit with Pastor Travis if you need assistance with this or if you would like to speak with a budgeting counselor. We would be honored to help you!
HOW DOES THE FLOURISH INITIATIVE HELP FUND THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS?
As a result of a successful Flourish initiative, we hope to have $1.6M to put toward our construction projects. The total cost of those projects is $4.2M, meaning we will be borrowing up to $2.6M to complete the work. The more we raise through Flourish, the less we will need to borrow.
WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION BEGIN?
Construction is anticipated to start in Spring 2025. Our goal is to begin as soon as possible once all necessary preparations are complete.