Stewardship Myths
Myth: Stewardship is all about raising money.
Truth: Stewardship is all that we do with all that we are and all that we have after we say, “I believe.” This is in fact everything, all of which God has given us, most especially the incredible gift of his son to die on the cross for us. Stewardship is how we treat each other and all of God’s creation. It is how we use and share the time we have available and the talents God has given us. And yes, it is in part about how we use and share the financial resources with which we have been entrusted.
Myth: The Call to Commitment is nothing but a pledge drive under another name.
Truth: The Call to Commitment is an attempt to help us to live Eucharistic lives. The hope is that we will turn from resenting our losses to rejoicing in God’s love. Where congregations open their hearts and make that change in perspective, a new outgoing, spontaneous, free and joyous generosity emerges.
Myth: My Commitment (more generally known as my pledge) is conditional; at any given time, if I disagree with the way things are being done, it is perfectly appropriate to me to reduce my commitment.
Truth: A Commitment made after prayerful consideration and in the spirit of joyous generosity is an irresistible response to God’s love and is given unconditionally. The tangible result is indeed the support of the mission and ministry in and from St. Paul’s parish. If I disagree with the way things are done, I make constructive efforts to understand the difficulty and suggest solutions.
Myth: If I make a commitment that is appropriate to my present circumstances and those circumstances change, I am stuck in a broken promise.
Truth: If I make a prayerful commitment and I experience some major change of circumstance, there is no dishonor in altering that commitment.
Myth: If I can’t give much, my gift is unworthy.
Truth: God rejoices in all gifts, just as he rejoices in all people.
Myth: I give to the Church regularly or at least when I can, and it’s not important whether or when I make a commitment.
Truth: In order to make the most responsible use of the resources offered to this parish for God’s work, the vestry needs time before January to prepare a realistic budget for the coming year. Knowing in November what resources will be available for 2010 will make that possible.
Truth: Stewardship is all that we do with all that we are and all that we have after we say, “I believe.” This is in fact everything, all of which God has given us, most especially the incredible gift of his son to die on the cross for us. Stewardship is how we treat each other and all of God’s creation. It is how we use and share the time we have available and the talents God has given us. And yes, it is in part about how we use and share the financial resources with which we have been entrusted.
Myth: The Call to Commitment is nothing but a pledge drive under another name.
Truth: The Call to Commitment is an attempt to help us to live Eucharistic lives. The hope is that we will turn from resenting our losses to rejoicing in God’s love. Where congregations open their hearts and make that change in perspective, a new outgoing, spontaneous, free and joyous generosity emerges.
Myth: My Commitment (more generally known as my pledge) is conditional; at any given time, if I disagree with the way things are being done, it is perfectly appropriate to me to reduce my commitment.
Truth: A Commitment made after prayerful consideration and in the spirit of joyous generosity is an irresistible response to God’s love and is given unconditionally. The tangible result is indeed the support of the mission and ministry in and from St. Paul’s parish. If I disagree with the way things are done, I make constructive efforts to understand the difficulty and suggest solutions.
Myth: If I make a commitment that is appropriate to my present circumstances and those circumstances change, I am stuck in a broken promise.
Truth: If I make a prayerful commitment and I experience some major change of circumstance, there is no dishonor in altering that commitment.
Myth: If I can’t give much, my gift is unworthy.
Truth: God rejoices in all gifts, just as he rejoices in all people.
Myth: I give to the Church regularly or at least when I can, and it’s not important whether or when I make a commitment.
Truth: In order to make the most responsible use of the resources offered to this parish for God’s work, the vestry needs time before January to prepare a realistic budget for the coming year. Knowing in November what resources will be available for 2010 will make that possible.