Recently (2019), the Episcopal Church Foundation working with Forward Movement (our monthly Day by Day books) as their Publisher, published a “Finance Resource Guide” which most of us assumed was written for treasurers and finance leaders in Episcopal Churches. The publication actually talks about Stewardship, Church Leadership (Vestries and Wardens), and Finance and Administration for Episcopal Churches.
I am going to use some of their presentation on Stewardship because I believe their comments are right on. They share that Stewardship is more than fundraising. It is a life-giving way we respond to God’s call to interact with the world, both as individual believers and as communities of faith. Our participation in and commitment to our community of faith – in the form of pledging, serving on the vestry, or being a Sunday School teacher or as choir members – is all stewardship. This ties into our concept of Stewardship as our time, talent and treasure.
As lay and clergy leaders, we are stewards of our congregational assets, responsible for taking care of the church budget and the building. That means we must be intentional about inviting people to participate in the work God is doing in the world and to celebrate that participation.
Among all the institutions in the world, faith communities lead the way in teaching the life lessons that being a giver is better than being a taker. We are heathier – physically, emotionally, psychologically, relationally – when we understand and practice giving.
Stewardship is at the heart of putting our faith into action, as followers of Jesus, for the glory of God, for the good of our congregations and our communities and for our own spiritual growth. Stewardship – giving of ourselves – is worship and is a part of our lifelong journey with God. It’s the embodiment of our discipleship.
Stewardship formation invites us to grow in our relationship with God, helping us recognize and use the gifts we’ve been given, including money. Fundraising for our church is part of stewardship – it’s just not the entirety of it. “Stewardship” is the theology, and “fundraising” is a ministry. If you think of Fundraising as a part of stewardship, it takes some of the pressure off the traditional “stewardship season” of October through December.
Your Stewardship committee meets year-round and we believe that Stewardship is a way of life and involves everything we do at Church and includes our time, talent and treasure.