Stewardship reflection: Administering? Or ministering?
The tough economy and corporate pay excesses certainly have tainted financial terms like "bonus," "profit," and "administrative cost." I have received several calls from people who are convinced that their gift dollars are being "wasted" on such things in the church.
Thankfully, in a not-for-profit 501c3 organization like the Church of the Brethren, the terms "bonus" and "profit" rarely, if ever, need defense. Profits don’t exist in our world, and even modest bonuses are rarely given.
However, during the 15 years of my work in church stewardship, I have been asked many times about administrative costs. The church does have expenses for administration. But in the Church of the Brethren—where our ministries are for people and carried out by people—the lines between ministry and administration are blurred.
The term "administrative costs," for example, cannot adequately describe expenses incurred when stewardship education coordinator Carol Bowman leads a workshop for a cluster of congregations. Similarly, the cost of maintaining comfortable and safe places for church staff to work, or packing and shipping relief supplies following a disaster, or developing curriculum for Christian education, do not easily categorize as administration. A mission executive’s trips to Sudan, Nigeria, North Korea, India, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti may be classified as administrative in nature, but they are vital for maintaining healthy church relationships and giving face-to-face support to mission workers in the field.
Our church’s work is carried out by people, imperfect beings striving to be Christ-like. The Church of the Brethren staff are intentional Christian stewards--conduits of God’s generous abundance, sensitive to the need to care for Creation, managing gift dollars with integrity, and carrying out the mandates of a discerning Annual Conference in the name of Jesus.
We minister to people, the church, and the world. Administer? Not so much.
-- Ken Neher is the Church of the Brethren's director of Stewardship and Donor Development
Webinar series will focus on money leadership
A new webinar series on "Money Leadership: From ‘OH MY!’ to ‘A-MEN’" will aid pastors and church leaders who guide congregations on matters of money.
The series is sponsored by the church’s offices of Stewardship Formation and Transforming Practices. Bethany Seminary staff are providing the webcast link. The presenter is Mark Vincent, CEO of Design Group International, consulting networks concerned with organizational development.
Pastors serve as leaders in money matters for their congregations. When times are prosperous, the spiritual agenda stands against greed. When economies crumble, the spiritual agenda battles fear. In fat years and lean years, the opportunities to fully live our faith in God start with leadership.
The three webcasts will equip pastors and church leaders to show the way at the intersection of faith and money. Each session will conclude with discussion and action steps for congregational working teams.
Session 1 on the topic, "Get Centered," is offered June 22 at 4 p.m. (eastern time) and June 24 at 8:30 p.m. (eastern). Session 2 on the topic, "Get Savvy," is offered July 15 at 4 p.m. (eastern) and July 19 at 8:30 p.m. (eastern). Session 3 on the topic, "Get Conspiratorial," is offered on Aug. 4 at 4 p.m. (eastern) and Aug. 5 at 8:30 p.m. (eastern).
Go to www.bethanyseminary.edu/webcasts for more information about the webinars and to participate in webcasts. Or contact Carol Bowman, coordinator for Stewardship Formation and Education, at cbowman@brethren.org.
Bulletin inserts stimulate thinking on stewardship
Bulletin inserts on stewardship are available at the Church of the Brethren website, go to www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grow_christian_education_stewardshipresources . Following is a sample reflection from one of the inserts that are intended to help church members think through important issues:
If I can choose, how will I BE?
I cannot choose to be a steward—but I can choose what KIND of steward I will be.
To me, the word "stewardship" often conjures up budgets, finances, care of property, and the Sunday offering. I might think of earth-tending, but often the truly personal and spiritual part of "stewarding" doesn’t come to mind.
An amazing thing happens when I shift my thinking to consider myself as "being a steward."
A steward is a person—which changes my perspective to a more real, active, and personal understanding of "stewardship." Bible stories of Joseph in Egypt, or Nehemiah (cupbearer to the king), or Jesus’ parables about the talents (Mt. 25:14-30) and the shrewd manager (Luke 16) are about people—people who made choices about living their faith.
From Psalm 24, we understand God to be the absolute owner and giver of all: "The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it" (v. 1, NRSV). What incredible gifts we are loaned from our Creator—and what incredible trust and responsibility we each bear as we make choices about caring for or tending them!
When we have decided to be a follower of Jesus, we are claimed by and receive Christ. Every day, in every way, we actively choose what kind of steward (manager) we will be with everything God has given us! Making choices is both personal and active!
An oft-quoted saying (attributed to various authors) is: "Stewardship is everything we do after we say, 'I believe.' "
To focus on my personal actions (choices), I might change this to say: "Being a steward is everything I do after I say, 'I believe.’ "
I can choose to ignore or squander God’s gifts, or I can choose gratefulness and generosity, aware that abundant life in Christ means I care for:
• the vessel of "my" body—my health and fitness
• the days, hours, and minutes of "my" time
• "my" spiritual gifts and talents
• "my" trees, soil, air, and produce
• "my" money, material wealth, shelter, and toys
...The list could go on and on! The choices are up to each of us!
The Spirit is moving in our congregations
It was Pentecost. The red of the sanctuary drapes spilled into the social hall in the form of red and white checkered table cloths. Sparkling cider, green and black olives, grated parmesan cheese, and fine flavored oils awaited hungry worshipers in the center of each table.
The youth workcamp participant from Sunnyslope Brethren/United Church of Christ had rallied friends and family to help make her summer trip to Brooklyn a reality. As the church service ended, servers were at the ready behind mounds of mixed green salad; whole wheat and regular pasta, al dente; meat and meatless sauces, steam rising; garlic bread, warm and soft; dessert standing by.
The tables filled with the chatty crowd. The pastor offered a blessing and the Italian feast was brought forth. The Spirit filled the room, which buzzed and sang with 48 tongues. It was loud. It was confusing. It was delicious. It was inspired.
When all the grated cheese had settled, the fun-filled fundraiser had raised $700 for one young person’s summer service experience.
The Holy Spirit is certainly blowing through this congregation. How about yours? Do you have a story to share? Send stories to Ken Neher, director of Stewardship and Donor Development, at kneher@brethren.org
