Pastor Laura Yates

 ~ Pastor Bio

     Growing up and graduating just a few miles from the church I am now serving, I feel blessed to be so close to home. I attended the University of WI Oshkosh and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Much of my adult life I have worked in the arts as both a Graphic Artist and Interior Designer. In my late twenties, I married Matthew and we have two boys ages 10 & 11. They are joined by one wiener dog, a lizard, a small parrot and fish. That keeps much of our "free time"busy and at our home there is rarely a dull moment.
 
     Like many of my colleagues in ministry, my calling as pastor was out of the ordinary and unexpected. Matthew was half way through his Masters of Divinity degree when God revealed new plans that created a dramatic turn for our lives. In that moment, God called us both to new areas of direction in serving Him. Mine is now to serve in pastoral leadership here at Brandon and to study summers at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.
 
     What will you experience at Brandon United Methodist? I have found a faith community here that is unlike most. Our vision is that ALL are welcome and worthy of God's grace. How amazing it is to me, that God created each of us to be in fellowship with him. Our every breath and waking moment is a concern of the "King"! And how much more amazing is it that we all play a vital role in His plans to spread His Word and love to all.
 
     Through our celebrations, worship, teachings and spiritual experiences, we celebrate God's love. He has shown this to us through the sacrifice of Jesus and by the power of the Spirit we share this great love by serving others.
 
     I am excited to welcome you and to invite you to fellowship with us at the Brandon United Methodist Church.
 
In His Service,
Pastor Laura Yates

 ~ Monthly Pastor Note

Living Within Your Income
I want to share this with you. I stumbled upon it through “Parish Publishing”. It is a great little article that really fits with what so many of us are experiencing.
 
Since it is unlikely that you have an unlimited income, you will need to adjust your spending habits so you can give generously, save aggressively, and still live comfortably. If you’ve been accustomed to spending all of your income on your wants and desires, you will find it difficult to live within your means. Spending is easy, whereas giving and saving require self-discipline. Your ability to give and save is made possible by your willingness to say "no" to your spending. To live on the portion of your income that you have left after giving and saving, you need to control your spending. Improper spending habits are the biggest hindrances to living successfully within your income.
 
The concept of "self-limitation" is new to many people. When you intentionally buy fewer things than you can afford, you are choosing to limit your lifestyle. "Self-limitation" decisions are based not on the premise of what you can afford, but rather on what you need. You must ask, “Do I need this certain thing or does God have need of my money to help others and his Church?” When your income rises and your lifestyle doesn’t reflect your increased buying capability, you are choosing to limit yourself, which frees up more for giving and saving.
 
What lifestyle does the Bible suggest? Are you pleasing God by living in substandard housing, driving broken down used cars, wearing cheap clothes, and not satisfying any of your desires?
 
Is God happy if you have an abundance of new things? Living comfortably is not a sin. God does not condemn being rich, but he speaks against the self-centered attitude wealth can cause. Living in opulence without any regard for others does not please the Lord. However, if you love the Lord and serve him and others with your money and time, you are free to live in comfort. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Certainly, there is a tremendous amount of diversity among Christians and what they own, but your lifestyle should reflect your relationship with Jesus.
 
According to Russ Crosson in his book "A Life Well Spent", we have increased our standard of living at the expense of our lifestyles. "We have increased our lifestyles, but in the process haven’t we also lost our ability to really live? We have amassed wealth, not wisdom. We have given our children toys, not time. We have children who have been taught to consume rather than work; we have fathers who don’t know their children, and marriages that do not work or last. We have been in a rush to run a race without understanding the finish line. Could it be that we are being robbed of our very lives because we are not thinking correctly about why we have money and what we are to do with it?" Our culture promotes monetary wealth. You need to be careful not to become a victim of the foolish desires money can create.
 
Good and Godly ideas to ponder in a time of financial changes.
May the Lord bless you richly with your daily needs, Pastor Laura

This Page Last Updated: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 3:20 PM