Who loves Stewardship time? No, seriously?
I graduated seminary with a serious aversion to this magical time of year. I couldn't imagine how, as a person paid by the money that comes out of the pockets of the congregation, I would ever be able to stand up in the pulpit and, it felt to me, shill for my salary.
I got over it. Here's how.
First, I worked with a guy who had a serious... well, crude metaphors come to mind. Suffice to say, he loved stewardship. He lurved it. He loaved it. He preached-- wait for it-- six stewardships sermons throughout the fall! No, scratch that: he preached four and I, who couldn't imagine preaching one, preached two. And I caught some of his enthusiasm. It had to do with genuine love of the church. It had to do with calling people into being the best, most dedicated, giving people they could be... not for our salaries (though you still can't get away from that little detail), but for the spreading of the gospel. I was hooked. I started seeing stewardship as a challenge that I might, just might, be able to rise to.
Second, the model for stewardship at that congregation was very much driven by the work of the members. We did our six sermons (which, in all honesty, I do think was overkill), but they did six minutes for mission. And I truly believe that their work-- their testimony-- was more powerful than our sermons.
And finally, I went to an institute for newly minted ministers of my denomination, in which we were offered a workshop of Stewardship. Now, many of my classmates fell asleep during this workshop. And it's true. We were inundated with information in a way that was not entirely helpful. Except: we were given a thick take-home packet at the end. It included sample brochures created by various congregations. And the little tiny design geek that's inside me... the one who used to get a charge out of creating a newsletter for the youth group when I was a director of Christian Ed... found another way to play with stewardship time: creating cool narrative budgets, complete with awesome pie charts and beautiful, carefully-chosen verses from scripture.
So this is it! We're doing it! Who's with me?
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7 comments:
I could catch your excitement! I think stewardship needs to preached throughout the year, as there is certainly scritpural imperative! I would love to see your wonderful brochures. I am so not gifted in such a way.
btw- cool new template!
That would be "scriptural." It's too early to spell!
we are struggling there, and I honestly think an early campagion may have hurt us this year (not to mention the resignation of my committee chair, but that's another story...). I would love to see your narrative budgets! wse want ot present one but i have no idea where to begin!
Thanks for the comments yesterday!
KP
Okay, doing my best with some interview questions (though your random ten things took up a lot of the fascinating territory).
1. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the Christian church today?
2. What do you love most and find most challenging in your vocation as a pastor?
Inspired by my questions to Michelle, I'll also include a geeky spiritual director question and a couple of more light and fluffy ones.
3. What kind of personal prayer/spiritual practices do you find most nourishing?
4. How do you like to relax during your down time?
5. Any pets in childhood? Any in your house now?
I do not understand the "stewardship time" you are refering to. Maybe I am not supposed to.
I like what you did to your blog, it is nifty.
I do like snazzy pie charts. Really.
i still get a sense that you aren't THAT excited about it...i don't know...and i am sure i could get excited about it. yes, i am sure.
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