Diocese of HawaiiLeadership Training

Parish Stewardship…Like trying to teach a bear to ride a

motorcycle?

Brought to you by the Stewardship CommissionPresented by The Rev. Ben Nelson, All Saints’ Kauai

A Prayer of Self-dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

(paraphrased from The Book of Common Prayer, p 832)

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

(paraphrased from The Book of Common Prayer, p 832)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20a RSV).

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20a RSV).

1 Peter 1:1-81 Peter 1:1-8I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.

Parish stewardship is like teaching a bear to ride a motorcycle…

Parish stewardship is like teaching a bear to ride a motorcycle…

It can be done!And it’s awesome!

It can be done!And it’s awesome!

What is Stewardship?

“Stewardship has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by a sinister villain named “Paying the Bills.”

‘Chick’ Lane, author of Ask, Thank, Tell

Our Goal today is to Rescue and Renew our understanding of stewardship in the parish.

What is Stewardship?

Start with the Basics… What does the word Stewardship mean?

What is the ministry of the Laity?• To represent Christ and his church• To bear witness to him wherever they may be• To carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the

world*• To take their place in the life, worship, and governance

of the Church.

To follow Christ, To come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and GIVE for the spread of the kingdom of God! (BCP p856)

*According to the gifts given them!

steward |ˈst(y)oōərd|noun

1 a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train and brings them meals.• a person responsible for supplies of food to a college, club, or other institution.

2 an official appointed to supervise arrangements or keep order at a large public event, for example a sporting event.• short for shop steward .

3 a person employed to manage another's property, esp. a large house or estate.• a person whose responsibility it is to take care of something : farmers pride themselves on being stewards of the countryside.

verb [ trans. ]1 (of an official) supervise arrangements or keep order at (a large public event) : the event was organized and stewarded properly.2 manage or look after (another's property).

DERIVATIVES stewardship noun ORIGIN Old English stīweard, from stig (probably in the sense [house, hall] ) + weard [ward.] The verb dates from the early 17th cent.

We are Wardens of the Sty…“There is something wonderfully rewarding in

being part of an effort that does make a difference. And there’s something sparkling about being among other people when they're at their best, too.”

Brian O’Connell, non-profit leader and educator

“There is something wonderfully rewarding in being part of an effort that does make a difference. And there’s something sparkling about being among other people when they're at their best, too.”

Brian O’Connell, non-profit leader and educator

Oikonomia: The Greek word which is translated as Stewardship in the bible. It connects several motifs of the Gospel and responsible living in community! Namely, that all persons are considered stewards by virtue of our creation of the image an likeness of God.

Oikonomia: The Greek word which is translated as Stewardship in the bible. It connects several motifs of the Gospel and responsible living in community! Namely, that all persons are considered stewards by virtue of our creation of the image an likeness of God.

Re-Imagining Stewardship

• Stewardship = Discipleship• Following Christ… changes ways of thinking• Membership vs. Discipleship• Elks Lodge vs. Apostolic Mission• Education + Opportunities for Commitment =

Parish Stewardship• There are no experts… only participants.• How do we participate? Reluctantly? Joyfully?

How do we fish?

• We Share our Stories!

• Stories of Reconciliation

• Stories of Gratitude

• Stories of Generosity

Discipleship vs. Membership

Members are expected to…• Give money to support

others who do ministry. “Professionals”

• Maintain the institution… lights on, children Sunday schooled, committees filled

• Be good citizens- don’t embarrass.

Members assume…• The mission field is

elsewhere.• The goal of the

congregation is to get and keep members. Add to the rolls before the old members die.

• Low expectations for membership.

Discipleship vs. MembershipDisciples hope to grow in their relationships by…• Doing the ministry. • Giving radically out of who

they are.• Living life in community.• Reinforcing the notion that

the primary relationship is not with the congregation, but with God in Christ.

• Congregation is a means to an end.

Disciples assume…• The mission field is right out

the front door.• The Goal is to make other

disciples… membership isn’t enough.

• Higher expectations – Daily Prayer, Daily Scripture,

weekly worship, tithing and beyond, serving in Jesus’ name, sharing our stories!

Small Group DiscussionThink about the language used in your own congregation.

Discuss times when your congregation has used “membership” language.Discuss times when your congregation has used “discipleship” language.What are some “action items” you could use to make “discipleship” language more prevalent in your own life?

How does your congregation talk about or demonstrate the need of the giver to give, rather than the need of the congregation to receive?

The Giver’s need to Give vs.

The Congregation’s need to Receive.

The Giver’s need to Give vs.

The Congregation’s need to Receive.

Good Stewardship…

• Focuses on conversion of people• Enables leaders to talk about money in ways

that transform lives• Calls for recruiting leaders, not taking

volunteers.• Means developing people who are committed

and competent• Values the time and talent of all God’s people!

Using Ask, Thank, Tell in CongregationsChapter 1 – Discipleship, Not MembershipChapter 2 – It All Belongs to GodChapter 3 – Money & Possessions in the New TestamentChapter 4 – Portrait of a Biblical GiverChapter 5 – Practicing Biblical StewardshipChapter 6 – Ask: The Annual Response ProgramChapter 7 – Ask: Making the Pie LargerChapter 8 – Improving How You AskChapter 9 – ThankChapter 10 – TellChapter 11 – Organizing for Your Stewardship Ministry

What is the Stewardship Commission?

• Pam McCoy, Stewardship Commission ChairLouise AloyPeter DenmanJohn HawkinsLindsay KammThe Rev. Paul LillieThe Rev. Ben NelsonWayne YoshigaiPeter Pereira

Final Thoughts• Conversion, not collection!• Accepting people wherever they may be on

this wonderful stewardship journey• Using our God-Given Imagination to create

opportunity and excitement!• Generational differences… what is the future

of Stewardship?• The Pledge, the tithe, annual giving, and other

thoughts.

Seven Truths about Financial Development Programs by The Rev. J. Hugh Magers, TENS board of directorsSeven Truths about Financial Development Programs by The Rev. J. Hugh Magers, TENS board of directors

1. The first place to look for money is in the heart, not the wallet.1. The first place to look for money is in the heart, not the wallet.

2. Most people find it hard to talk about God and money.2. Most people find it hard to talk about God and money.

3. We still have to talk about the tithe.3. We still have to talk about the tithe.

4. We aren't saved because we give money to God. 4. We aren't saved because we give money to God.

5. Everyone is already doing the very best they can.5. Everyone is already doing the very best they can.

6. Yes, we really do need to sign pledge cards.6. Yes, we really do need to sign pledge cards.

7. If you are not smiling when you sign your pledge card, then you have filled in the wrong amount.7. If you are not smiling when you sign your pledge card, then you have filled in the wrong amount.

3 (a) YES, we really do.3 (a) YES, we really do.