1517. has been a long-time friend of The Jagged Word. Many of our authors contribute to and use the resources made available by this fantastic organization. Consider the following message from our own Scott Keith, Executive Director of 1517.

I am one of those guys who always hated Stewardship Sunday. What is Stewardship Sunday? In my tradition it is that one Sunday per year when the pastor’s sermon, as well as every other part of the service, is dedicated towards getting we, the parishioners, to commit to supporting the church financially. These poor pastors often play the game of telling us that they want our time and talents as much as our money, but we know the truth… Our financial support is the goal.

Now, it is not the plea for support that always bothered me, it was the typical approach. So many times, the approach was so law oriented that I often thought it missed the point. My question was, if I am free in Christ, why do I need the Law to tell me to give to my church which serves me? Well, in deference to all the pastors I’ve held in bad esteem all these years, the answer is: cause there’s seemingly just no other way to do it.

So, allow me to do two things in this blog. First, I’d like to apologize to all the pastors that through the years I’ve held a bad opinion of for not pulling off Stewardship Sunday well. My apology is based on my now held belief that there is just really no-good way to ask for money on a large scale. It is just no fun and I should not have held their attempts at creative asking––even though some were really bad––against them. I have been ungracious, and so, I am sorry.

Second, I am now that guy, and I need to ask you to support 1517. financially today, this Giving Tuesday. 1517. is a donation-based organization. We attempt to provide meaningful content in the form of blogs, videos, academies, and podcasts all for free. Even our conferences are highly subsidized by donations as is our publishing house. Long story short, without your financial support, we cannot keep doing what we do: declaring and defending the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.

Today, we have a goal of raising $125,000. Because of all of the craziness in the world and the hardships that have followed, our yearly giving has been down a bit. But I am confident that you all, our friends and supporters, can make that difference up today.

I will make you one promise today. We at 1517. are utterly committed to keeping the main thing, the main thing. That main thing is handing over the goods that you, yes you, are forgiven and free because of Christ’s death and resurrection. Along the way we will teach some history, engage in some philosophical discussions, instruct some theology, and encourage and help train in apologetics and evangelism. But the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ Jesus will always be why we exist. Because, this proclamation of Good News through Christ Jesus is for others, it is for the world, it is for you!

So, if the proclamation of that Gospel of Christ through our work at 1517. is important to you too, please support us financially today. We would love your support as a one-time gift, as a monthly reoccurring gift, or both. Thank you in advance for listening to my plea and I hope you will not hold my attempt at creativity against me.

If you’d like to support 1517 today or any day, please visit: http://1517.org/givingtuesday.

Peace be with you this day and always.

In Christ,

Scott L. Keith, Ph.D.

Executive Director, 1517.