Stewardship Talk
November 17, 2024
Pastor Lexy gives some great insights into how important
Stewardship is.
“When we give to God, we are giving God what has always belonged
to our creator. God calls us into stewardship, God teaches us how to give, not
because God needs our gifts (they’re already God’s!) but because God wants us to
learn how to give joyfully! To turn our gaze outward, to live
fully into God’s abundance! We are children of God—entrusted with time,
talents, and treasure from our loving and patient parent—and we choose how we
spend and share what God has entrusted to us. We are not the owners of God’s
goodness and creation, but joyful stewards of it.
God is at the center of stewardship, because just like
giving gifts, stewardship is not about what is given but the Love behind it. We
are called to be good stewards, learning a little more each day from our
heavenly parent: not to hide away or hoard what we have been entrusted with but
invest and share it abundantly; not to worship it but use it as a tool to
worship God and serve our neighbor; not to live out of a fear of scarcity but
out of abundance. These are lessons we continue to learn throughout our entire
lives as children of God.
“God’s
place in Stewardship centers us in the life of Jesus. We
learn by example, by mentorship. And so we give, because of the One who gave it
all for us. We share because of the One who shared this beautiful creation and
all that is in it. And we do so joyfully because of the One who takes great
delight in us. At the conclusion of the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis
of Assisi, we hear, “for it is in giving that we receive.” May
we steward what we have been entrusted with the. . .joy and excitement of a
child of God . . . May we give with the same exuberance and lavishness as we
were taught to give. May we center our stewardship in the loving heart of God.”
So,
some basic questions about Stewardship here at St. Stephen’s.
What is a pledge according to The Episcopal Church?
It’s a commitment to give one's time, talents, and money as an expression of
faith and a personal response to God's generosity. Parish members are
encouraged to make an annual stewardship pledge. This pledge represents their
specific Christian commitment to "work, pray, and give for the spread of
the kingdom of God" (BCP, p. 856). Parish budgets are prepared in light of
the pledges received from the members. A pledge is a statement of intent, not a
legal obligation. It can be changed at any time.[And we understand that people’s
financial situations change, and change regularly]
Do I have to fill out a pledge card or can I just keep putting money in the
plate each week?
We do understand that making a pledge commitment can be a bit uncomfortable for
some depending upon personal and financial situations. It feels like a
permanent commitment for the year. Our wish is that those who have been
making weekly plate contributions to make a formal pledge in order to give us
an idea of total expected income. Just like any business, we cannot plan
for expenses unless we understand our income. This is necessary for our
overall financial health and day-to-day operations.
What if I do make a formal pledge and then I lose my job or my finances take
a turn for the worse, and I cannot fulfill my original pledge commitment?
No worries. Unexpected events happen all the time. This situation
happens every year and we adjust. Losing a job and having to reduce a
pledge or even put it on hold until you’re able to get your finances back can
be an uncomfortable topic and even embarrassing to some. There is no
disgrace in this, and your church family has your back. We want to help,
especially in times of personal strife and challenge. This is when you
need support the most. Please never hesitate to reach out to the rector
for help and support through dark times, whether it’s about a pledge adjustment
or anything else.
What if I’m financially unable to support St. Stephen’s with a pledge?
As Christians we are called to be good stewards using our time, talents and
treasure. If you can only give of your time and talents this year instead
of a financial pledge, that is your personal situation and we respect you for
that. We encourage everyone to enter into the life of our parish as much
as possible through the sharing of their time and talents. If you are
looking for ideas on how to get more involved, please reach out to the clergy.
Am I expected to give a portion of my pledge every week?
Some give a portion every week, while others give monthly, quarterly or even
annually. The preference is to evenly distribute your giving throughout
the year as much as possible to mirror how we pay our expenses.
How much should I give?
Giving is a spiritual practice that should be prayerfully considered. Scripture
encourages proportionate giving (giving a percentage of one’s income as an act
of worship). Many of our pledges start their pledge journey by committing to a
percentage level that seems doable, and then gradually moving up. There
is a Biblical tithe – ten percent of what you make. If you can’t give ten
percent and still meet your basic needs, give what you can. But do think about
giving in proportion to your income as an offering in thanksgiving for how you
have been blessed. Start with one or two percent if that is what you can
do, and let it grow year by year
Who sees my pledge amount?
Your giving is a very private matter of conscience between you and
God. Pledges are received annually by the rector via the pledge basket in
enclosed envelopes during the service or via her direct email. The
treasurer and bookkeeper are also aware of your pledge as part of the financial
planning process and to record your contributions for income tax deduction
purposes. But other than those few people, your pledge is confidential
information.
How exactly do I make my pledge payments?
Some
put their pledge in the plate every Sunday via check or cash. Others make
regular deductions from their bank accounts online. Some even donate
stock. Some donate by using the Donate button on our website (just make sure
you designate it as a “Pledge”).
Last thoughts on how and where to start your 2025 pledge.
1. Pray. This vital step is often overlooked in giving. Take some
to time to ask for God’s help to guide you in this decision. Hold this question
and consider including it in your daily or weekly prayers as you think about
your financial commitment for the coming year.
2. Consider the many blessings in your life. Giving should come
from our gratitude and with a sense of joy, not out of guilt or obligation. Our
culture teaches us to focus on what we don’t have, but Jesus teaches us to love
and serve others with what we have already been blessed with. Begin each day by
thanking God for all the blessings in your life, and ask yourself if your
giving reflects your gratitude.
3. Ask why St. Stephen’s is special to you. Each of us has come to
call St. Stephen’s our spiritual home for different reasons. For many,
it’s our commitment to the full inclusion of all of God’s children. For some of
us, it’s the liturgy and music, for others it is our commitment to outreach. For
many it’s simply been a safe haven after experiencing difficult church
environments elsewhere. As you
consider your giving for 2025, remember that your pledge enables St. Stephen’s
to be the place it is and make God's intention a reality.
4. Challenge yourself. Ask if your pledge reflects your values and
priorities. God is calling us to connect more deeply in our relationship with
God and one another. Does your pledge move you closer to God? Many have noted
the life-changing impact that a simple pledge can have – and how little they
missed the money – as they received so much more in return. At the end of the
day, giving is about letting go of our agenda, so that we can say yes to God’s.
This year, why not try “shocking yourself” with your generosity and then see
how this connects you to God's kingdom?
