From our Hymnal: a definition of Stewardship as being thankful for all that God has given us:
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love.
- Hymn # 291, 1982 Hymnal
(Words: Matthias Claudius, 1782;
trans. Jane Montgomery Campbell, 1861)
Stewardship is about giving back to God some of what God has given us. Often people equate stewardship with the annual financial commitment program (commonly known as a ‘pledge drive’). But it is more than that. It is caring for everything in our lives and in our community and world because they are precious gifts to us from our loving God. With joy and thanks we offer back to God some of that which God has entrusted to us.
At St Barnabas, we use Barnabas of Cyprus, for whom our parish is named, as a model for holistic stewardship:
give generously, welcome graciously, seek out other workers, seek God’s direction, take a supporting role, challenge the status quo, and err on the side of mercy.
Resources and Links:
Pledging – learn more
Pledge Card
Membership – what it entails
Online donations
