Stewardship

Is there life beyond "Stewardship Season," beyond the three "T"s, beyond pledge cards and boxed envelopes? Across the church we witness young adult and campus ministers striving to offer a vision of stewardship that is holistic, comprehensive, even life changing to the young adults they work with. In a culture that encourages young adults to live well into their means and often beyond, they look to nurture the kind of humility and gratitude which surrenders "mine," as both object and idea, in order to live more fully into the bounty of God's grace.

We asked our writers this month how they went about encouraging and instilling a sense of stewardship that stretched the imagination, that exemplified a different and often countercultural approach to the resources under their care. As you read about their experiences, consider the ways in which resources are handed from one generation to the next in your community. How do young adults and students learn to care, or not care, for the resources they inherit? Consider resources of tradition, culture, knowledge, social position, property and community. But also consider the resources young adults alone can offer to the church. How are young adults being encouraged to be good stewards in sharing their unique gifts with their communities and the world?

This Stewardship Season we give thanks for the good stewards each of you has been and continues to be in caring for the young adults of our church!

Paz y fuego,

Douglas, Jason & Miguelina

Quests, Communities, Stewards
Kai Harris, Diocese of California

Stewardship is a common thread in church life – and beyond that, it is basic to life with God. All that we have – time, relationships, resources, our very being itself – are gifts from God.  When we give gifts of time, talent and treasure to our church community, we are doing far more than “keeping the lights on.”  We are taking part in the quest to connect our own small life with God’s Life..... >>>

Your Faith, Future & Finances
Bowie Snodgrass, Diocese of New York 

The basic formula was simple: a one-day group retreat on “your faith, future, and finances” with concurrently scheduled one-on-one sessions with financial professionals.  The results were transformational and liberating.... >>>

Gives Me Hope
The Rev'd Sarah Midzalkowski, Michigan State University

A former student of mine recently introduced me to a facebook group called GMH or Gives Me Hope. This group calls themselves an optimist’s answer to the ever-popular FML. (I trust I don’t have to translate) While I agree GMH is more optimistic than FML I don’t think mere optimism is at the heart of this site. Rather, GMH is a collection of thankfulness... >>>

A Culture of Stewardship
The Rev’d J.R. Lander, Diocese of Olympia

Today’s young adults resonate with a holistic conversation about stewardship--a conversation that isn’t limited to how much of one’s money to give to the church annually.  Young adults are more likely to give financially to organizations in which they are personally involved- whether this connection is through volunteerism, leadership, or personal benefit from the organization’s mission ... >>>