Christian Stewardship

Christian Stewardship is relational:

• It begins in knowing who and whose we are (children of God) not in what we have or give.
• It continues the sharing of God’s love and grace.
• It affirms God’s ownership.
• It celebrates God’s invitation for us to be partners with God
• It grows on God’s hope – always forward thinking.
• It links passion with ministry.

To create a climate of Christian Stewardship and for giving, some assumptions need to be changed:

• If people are made to feel guilty enough, they will give.
• People are basically stingy and extremely protective of their money and possessions.
• If you tell people the church needs money, they will give.
• Asking for discipleship commitments, including financial commitment will drive people away.
• When people join the church, they are fully committed to supporting the church.
• What people put on a commitment/pledge card is the most they will give.
• The church’s income is directly tied to the income of its members.

To create a climate of Christian Stewardship and for giving, some new assumptions are needed to guide us:

• People give more generously when they live out of the abundance of God’s grace instead of a sense of scarcity. Therefore, we must teach and preach the grace of God.
• People give in connection with their passions. Every child of God should have one or more passions for ministry. Therefore, discover people’s passions and show them ways to support ministries that meet their hopes and visions.
• People give in connection with the purpose of the gift. Our church finances need to be completely transparent and the connections made among the giver, the gift, and the ministries of the church.
• When people sense that they belong, that they matter to the community of faith, not just that they are wanted for what they can give financially, they will give and many will give more generously.
  

• People give out of a sense of gratitude. Help people to experience the abundance of God’s grace and develop an attitude of gratitude.
• People give when their gifts make a difference. Therefore, the stories of the differences our ministries make in people’s lives need to be shared more.

STEWARDSHIP IS WHO WE ARE,

NOT WHAT WE HAVE OR GIVE.