An Ownership Stake
An Ownership Stake
“Skin in the game” is an aphorism popularized by Warren Buffett referring to the real benefit of executives using their own money to buy stock in the company they’re running. It’s to have a personal risk, or stake in the outcome of the business.
It’s an idea that was also important to Lauren and me over the years. Although our children are now grown and married, even when they were young we were big proponents of them having “skin in the game” in things that were important to them, rather than simply providing it for them…even when we could easily afford it.
Because it’s a simple fact of human nature that we take something more seriously when we have an ownership stake.
In the same vein, in this week’s Gospel Jesus describes himself as “The Good Shepherd”—not just a shepherd, but the good shepherd of Psalm 23. Not a hired hand who abandons the sheep at the first sign of danger, but the owner of the sheep who willingly gives himself for them.
Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, and I hope to see you then.
Steve+
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring Cleanup and Lunch at Medora’s—Saturday, May 17, 9:00AM—Noon(ish). This is a great way to seek the flourishing of one of our dearest neighbors! Sign up with Doug Gillikin Sunday.
Membership Sundays—June 29 and August 31
William Temple, an early 20th Century Anglican Archbishop said, “The church is the only society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members” That’s a vital thing for us to remind ourselves of.
The whole point of the Church is to bring the kingdom of God into the wider world. It exists for the tasks of witnessing to God’s saving, sovereign lordship over the world in whatever sphere it happens to inhabit. So, formal church membership isn’t just checking a box, or an end in itself. It’s making sure that we are working together in doing these things rather than just being a loose, vague convocation of people who happen to drift together some Sundays.
Membership is primarily about mission and vision.
It’s also about taking responsibility—along with the rest of the community—for the maintenance of the building, for the HVAC system, for making sure that our ministries of benevolence to our neighbors are being properly and sacrificially carried out, and much, much more.
We will welcome new members to Redeemer Sunday, June 29 and Sunday, August 31 at our Fifth Sunday Potlucks. If you’re interested in finding out more about membership at Redeemer, simply write “member” on a Connection Card this Sunday and place it in the Offering. We’ll be in touch!
Morning Prayer—Tuesday-Friday mornings, 8AM on Zoom.
Evening Prayer—will not meet next Wednesday, May 14
Women’s Bible Study—Saturdays, 9AM @ 1309
Men’s Bible Study—will not meet next Thursday, May 15
Photo: Daniel Burka on Unsplash
