General Board renews emphasis on stewardship.

The General Board is renewing its emphasis on stewardship at a time when the national trend may be for more giving to churches and nonprofits, according to a new study by the Barna Group. Increases in giving by individuals have not, however, quite made up for a subtle, long-term decline in congregational giving to the core ministries of the board, according to Ken Neher, director of the board's Funding and Donor Development.

The new stewardship emphasis is an attempt "to help the denomination become financially healthy at all levels," reported Carol Bowman, stewardship development counselor for the board and Congregational Life Team staff for Area 5, in a phone interview that included Neher. Stewardship is not just about fulfilling budgets but is "a foundational faith issue" for Bowman, who is concerned that the Church of the Brethren has not thoroughly educated for stewardship in recent years. "We've often left giving up to conscience, which I think is fundamentally a good thing," she said, "but what we don't do is challenge people at the outset of their faith commitment that it's a life commitment, and giving is a huge part of your faith."

"I've been calling stewardship a priority issue" in a culture of "misguided" priorities, Neher said, listing stewardship concerns that go far beyond the financial choices of individuals. He gave the examples of a US lifestyle of waste and the assumption of personal entitlement, as well as thoughtlessness about how lavish lifestyles affect neighbors around the world. In order to be faithful stewards, the Brethren have to exhibit a "radical counter-culturalness to live what Jesus taught," he said, "and that's not easy."

The call to radical discipleship echoed a recent discussion with Church of the Brethren young adults in which Bowman said she was challenged to present stewardship as a counter-cultural activity of the church. Young adults voice these concerns more than their elders, she said. She sees hope for the church in a new generation who want to live as disciples of Christ.

The two board staff also emphasized that costs for keeping the ministries of the church going—such as health insurance—continue to rise and "put the squeeze on" all ministry priorities, in Neher's words. Both understand rising costs as a problem for congregations and districts as well as for the board and other Annual Conference agencies.

Work has already begun on developing a closer relationship with congregations and districts in regard to stewardship. More than 100 congregations have responded to a survey sent out in April, seeking information about how the board "can better help congregations in growing generous disciples." In addition, Outreach Planning Packets will be provided to districts by the Conference agencies, including information about agency ministries as well as other district and camp ministries. The packets will be passed on to congregations for their use. In mid-July, congregations also will receive a Stewardship Resource Packet containing "Giving" magazine and other resources for year-long stewardship education. "Untamed Stewardship" will be the theme for the Congregational Life Ministries dinner at Annual Conference July 5 with speaker Ed Taylor, director of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center.

For more information about the new stewardship emphasis, contact Carol Bowman at 509-663-2833 or e-mail cbowman_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 6/04/2004 Newsline
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