THE PASTOR'S WORD ON STEWARDSHIP

It seems that stewardship can never be defined once and for all time. We are constantly seeking to help others understand the meaning of stewardship for our lives and the ministry of the Church to the world. Too often, when the word stewardship is mentioned, one immediately thinks only of money, or simply as a means of paying the church bills or simply bailing the church out of a financial jam. This is not unique to any one church or denomination. It is a widespread perception. Or, should I say, misperception?

When one looks at all the attempts at defining or understanding stewardship, there is no better definition than the understanding that Christian stewardship is a response to God in all of life's dimensions. The Christian understanding of stewardship is derived from our understanding of the nature of the generosity of God. For God is a generous God. It is precisely because God is the Creator and has given men and women a special place and purpose on earth and dominion over all other living creatures, men and women are called to worship God and to give thanks for God's goodness; to use the natural world and other living creatures in the service of God and all people, and not for self-interest and exploitation.

God is made known most fully in Jesus Christ and has acted uniquely and decisively in Jesus to save the world and offer forgiveness, grace and eternal life. Therefore, men and women are called to put their trust in God and live in companionship with Jesus Christ; to follow Jesus in showing love to others; to use our minds, bodies and possessions to glorify God and give practical help to people in need. As Herb Miller has said in "New Consecration Sunday", "Jesus Christ has the greatest potential to change the lives of people; that the Body of Christ, the Church has tremendous potential for improving and enriching people's lives; that in stewardship, in financial giving, a church can do what God calls it to do to help people grow spiritually and serve Christ."

God has formed the Church and entrusted the Church with the Gospel and given gifts to men and women through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Church is called to make Jesus Christ and the Gospel known, and individual Christians are called to use their gifts in God's service.

This loving response on the part of God's people is called Christian Stewardship. We make this response and use the word steward because the word is used in the Bible to express the concept of responsibility for the use of material possessions and spiritual blessings given to us by God.

Christian Stewardship may, therefore, be defined as a response which the Church, corporately and individually, is called to make to God for all that God has given us and done for us; above all, in Jesus Christ.

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

Rev. Dr. John Brandon, Pastor