Stewardship is using the gifts God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do.
What are the gifts God has given us?
At our baptism, the celebrant prays for specific gifts for us from the Lord in the Spirit, including an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love God, and the gift of joy and wonder in all God’s works.
What is the work God is calling us to do with our gifts?
We find the answer in Matthew 25:35-36: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
When are we to use the gifts?
All year round.
Year-round stewardship takes stewardship out of the “annual occurrence” category and places it where it should be – right in front of us, all year round.
Year-round stewardship strengthens and supports members of the congregation in their knowledge and understanding of their roles as God’s stewards.
Year-round stewardship means that a parish actively promotes and integrates the concept of stewardship throughout the entire year, not just during a specific campaign. This allows for a deeper understanding and practice of stewardship theology among its members, which strengthens their commitment to be responsible stewards of all God has given them.
Research shows us that giving – whether it is time, money, or even just a kind gesture – can significantly contribute to happiness of the giver. It activates reward centers in the brain, creating a positive feeling often referred to as the “helper’s high.
Resources for developing your own year-round stewardship plan include:
The Episcopal Diocese Of Atlanta’s Stewardship Commission. The commission provides a number of stewardship resources, including workshops during the year.
Visit the Stewardship Commission Page
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) offers webinars to help prepare stewardship leaders for pledge campaigns and year-round stewardship. These are available to dioceses, vestries, and stewardship committees. Our Diocese of Atlanta provides free access to TENS. (Contact Tammy Pallot (tammypallot@gmail.com) for the password.
