Message from Alan Payne
The Growing Power of a Grateful Heart
Stewardship means to be morally responsible for the careful use of money, time, talents, or other resources, especially with respect to the principles or needs of a community or group*.
Whether we realize it or not, we are all stewards in our own right, at home, at work or school, within our church, our community, and our world. Every one of us has an obligation to God, ourselves, and each other to share our gifts and talents, to reach out beyond ourselves and help those around us.
The primary focus of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Additionally, John Wesley said:
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
As you read, and re-read, John Wesley’s challenge, you start to appreciate the magnitude of what he was trying to accomplish. It seems an overwhelming and impossible goal; however, it all starts from within you.
Each of us that have celebrated the Covenant of Baptism in the United Methodist Church has recited these words (pg. 38 of the United Methodist Hymnal):
We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian Love.
As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church,
We renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service,
That in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
It is our collective renewal of this covenant that allows us to fulfill John Wesley’s vision. It stems from our own individual internal passions. It is our desire to share these passions, talents, and gifts with others that forms the basis of the United Methodist Church’s connectional background. Through this connectional network each one of us makes a difference in many unseen ways.
Finally, stewardship is bi-directional, and the Church also has an obligation to be a good steward. It is our responsibility to utilize your precious gifts, talents, and resources in ways that maximize their impact, without waste, in all the ways we can to all the people we can.
As we enter into our fall Stewardship campaign, we each need to reflect on the points above and ask ourselves, “What does this mean to me? What am I being called to do? How can I make a difference?” Stewardship is often associated with monetary giving, but it really goes well beyond the weekly offerings in the plate. While your generous contributions are a necessity for the continued operation and sustainment of our church, can you find additional ways to share your gifts, your talents, your passions and make a difference in your life and those around you?
Our fall Stewardship program will include weekly highlights of how we care for the world, our community, and our church family. It will culminate on
October 26, 2008, with Choir Appreciation Day/Consecration Sunday. At this time you will have an opportunity to
submit your Pledge Card and celebrate with a light meal following each service.
We fully realize that it is your generosity that permits our church to fulfill its mission of making Disciples of Christ.
One of the goals for this year’s Stewardship program is awareness. This includes raising awareness both in how our leadership budgets for operating expenses and missions, and how it utilizes the many, and varied, gifts, contributions, and bequests from our congregation. Our
Stewardship FAQs answer some of the questions that have been asked by many of you. If you have additional questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact anyone on our newly formed Stewardship Purpose Area.
Alan Payne
Annual Stewardship Campaign Chair
*Webster’s New World Dictionary, 3rd College Edition