When I was younger, for the longest time there was an ad on TV that went: “How do you spell relief?” R-O-L-A-I-D-S was the answer. If anyone wanted to get relief from indigestion they should think of Rolaids; buy it; and take it.
I’d like to ask you a similar question: How do you spell
S T E W A R D S H I P is the answer!
God sent Jesus – God became one of us in the person of Jesus – not just to “save” us, to comfort, support, forgive us, and give us hope. Oh, God certainly did that. But God also came to us through Jesus to guide and strengthen us. That guidance and strength has a purpose. Its purpose is to help us follow God’s ways – to follow Christ each day. And in a word, that’s what’s called discipleship. Discipleship is all-encompassing. It involves how we think, what we say and do, how we spend our time and our money, and how we use our capabilities. That in a word, my friends, is what’s called stewardship – what we do with what we’ve been given.
The role of the church is to make stronger disciples – to make us stronger stewards people who follow Christ by using what God has given us to serve God’s purposes in the world. Everything we do as a church is intended to accomplish that goal. Communion is offered to help nourish us in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. The Bible is read to remind us of what God has said and done through Jesus in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Sermons are preached to explain some of what the biblical stories mean as we try to apply them to living our daily lives in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Prayers are said to help us mediate between the world and God, in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Songs and hymns are sung to bolster our faith and raise our spirits in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Refreshments are offered after services and meals are provided to encourage fellowship and to build our morale in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Classes and discussion groups or Bible studies are offered throughout the week to educate and train us spiritually in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Sunday School classes and Youth activities are offered for the same reason – to make our children stronger disciples – stronger stewards. Opportunities for outreach and Christian action are provided to serve those in need in order to make us stronger disciples – stronger stewards. It’s all about discipleship, and discipleship is all about stewardship!
Every day, all year around, is stewardship time. And yet there’s something interesting about stewardship. It’s not only the goal of everything we do, but it’s also the means by which we do it. Everything that I just mentioned – services, music, education, children’s ministries, youth activities, spiritual formation, discipleship training, outreach opportunities – everything is only made possible by each member’s stewardship. The money you give pays for it. The time you give makes it happen. The volunteer help you give makes it happen, too. And so while stewardship is year-round, this time of year we emphasize it more than others because now is the time when we need to calculate how much support – in dollars, hours and volunteers – we’ll have for our work in making stronger disciples, making stronger stewards, next year.
Therefore St. Paul’s needs three things from you. First, the church needs you to participate in the excellent array of programs and opportunities for personal and spiritual growth that we’re offering. It’s one thing to have all these programs in place. It’s quite another for you to benefit from them by joining in. Second, the church needs your help. I could as easily say that you need to help the church, because we always grow stronger by doing. Jesus didn’t just call us to come and grow, but to come, grow in faith and serve. No one should ever feel that the church doesn’t need your help. There’s something here for everyone to do. We simply ask that you let us know how you feel that you might be able to pitch in and when you’re available. Third, the church needs your tithe your pledge of a proportion of your money – to help pay for the costs associated with our life together and shared ministries. St. Paul’s challenges each parishioner and household to participate, volunteer, and pledge your tithe. That’s how our discipleship will grow stronger through our stewardship.
Affectionately in Christ,Phil +