Welcome
Welcome to the Steward’s Well, a quarterly resource created especially for those leading stewardship in their congregations. Leading stewardship is leading discipleship. Stewardship, like discipleship, is not a program; it is more of an ethic, the way we live our lives, the choices that we make that flow from a depth of understanding of who we are and to whom we belong.
Our deepest identity is that we are marked as Christ’s own, we are claimed by grace and called to live in a new way. In our shared life together, we continue in our Lenten journey, a time that is often referred to as sacred liminal space. It’s the time between the old and the new—when we know that old ways no longer serve us and yet the pathway to the new is not yet clear. In liminal space, boundaries dissolve, we stand on the threshold, readying ourselves to passover—to move beyond the limits of what we were into what we are to be.
Stewardship, like discipleship, is countercultural. As stewards, we die daily to the illusion that we are in control, we die daily to the illusion that our wealth is something that we earned by our work alone, disconnected from the grace of God and the most basic truth that all life is a gift, simply given to us to be given in return. We give up echoing the cultures cries of scarcity so that we may give voice to the experience of God’s grace and abundance in our own lives.
I’m grateful your journey has brought you to the Steward’s Well, a gathering place to meet companions on the way who have found that the paths of surrender and gratitude indeed lead to life abundant.
Blessings,
The Rev. Laurel Johnston
Lent 2011
Nourishing Life in Gratitude: My Story
At my job, when I interview and evaluate candidates for a position, I frequently find myself trying to discern if the person has a history of growth and development or is just repeating the same experience. Is it 10 years of experience or one year of experience repeated 10 times? For many years my understanding of stewardship seemed to keep repeating itself, again and again.
Nourishing Life in Generosity: Best Practices
From Ash Wednesday to Earth Day: Stewardship of Creation
I am writing this on Ash Wednesday. This evening an ash cross will be smeared on my forehead. I will be reminded that I am dust, and to dust I shall return. I will be reminded that, like Adam, I was formed from Earth.
Stewardship is sometimes still narrowly understood as "what we do around here to make sure we can keep the lights on" and driven by monetary concerns. But deeper down we know that stewardship is fundamentally a spiritual journey, an opportunity to learn how to move through life with an open hand rather than a closed fist.
The Power of Story: Creating Personal Giving Testimonies
Jesus used the power of stories, often in the form of parables, to point to a new reality of the abundance of God’s grace. His stories point to God’s long-term project of blessing us so that we can be a blessing to others.
Whether it is your annual giving campaign or year-round stewardship formation, inviting people to share their stories about how the practice of giving has become a blessing in their own lives and in the lives of others, captures the heart and mind of the listener in a way that encourages, inspires, and much like Jesus, points to a new reality of life in God.
Read on to learn how Charlene Fabian, Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving in the Diocese of Oklahoma, coaches her diocesan stewardship ministry team in preparing their own personal witness stories:
Stewarding Jesus Command: Love One Another
When I think about what it means to be a Christian steward, I’m continually drawn to the highly symbolic act of Jesus washing the feet of his friend and disciple Peter. This vivid description of Jesus taking a towel, pouring water, washing and wiping the feet of his friends connotes not only humble service, but an expression of mutual love, and it is an expression of God’s ongoing invitation for the intimate union of shared life.
Annual Giving Year-Round Planning Timeline
Looking to get a head start in planning this year’s annual giving campaign? Here is a suggested year-round planning guideline for you to consider. Remember the purpose of an annual giving campaign is not only to raise support for the life-giving ministries of your congregation, but to also help people explore intentional and proportional giving as a spiritual practice that reflects gratitude and generosity for all that has been given. Take time to consider how you can implement any or all of these components that will lay a firm foundation for the success of an annual giving campaign.
Events
2011 TENS Conference: Inspiring Generations in Generosity
June 3-4, 2011 at Camp Allen, Texas
June 1-3, 2011 Pre-Conference for Diocesan Stewardship Leaders
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
Resources
Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference
By Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
Transforming Stewardship
By the Rev. C.K. Robertson
Ask, Thank, Tell: Improving Stewardship Ministry in Your Congregation
By Charles Lane
More Blessed to Give: Straight Talk on Stewardship
By John H. MacNaughton
