Leader’s Guide for the November 28, 2008, issue of The Tennessee Conference REVIEW – theme: Stewardship

In the Message translation of Matthew, Jesus says, “In a word, what I'm saying is, grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (Mt 5:48)

Echoes of this passage are found in our Communion liturgy when the pastor says, “in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us.” Because our life and salvation are gifts we do not earn, United Methodists believe our whole life is now to be lived into response to God’s grace. This call to live out of God’s generosity is reflected in our membership vows when we agree to pray, to be present, to give, to serve, and to witness.

Bishop Schnase says it this way in his book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations:

“First-century Christian communities, the Methodists of the 1700’s, faith mentors, and models of Christian living today – all have discovered a truth as sure as gravity, that generosity enlarges the soul, realigns priorities, connects people to the Body of Christ, and strengthens congregations to fulfill Christ’s ministries. Giving reflects the nature of God. Growing in the grace of giving is part of the Christian journey of faith, a response Christian disciples offer to God’s call to make a difference in the world.” (Pp.106-107)

So why then is stewardship a dirty word in many churches?

WHO ARE WE?
After reading all of the articles, talk about the many ways people give in your church. Does the time of offering in your worship services have the sense of excitement and joy as seen in both the Hispanic culture and in Malawi? If not, why?

Don Joiner says in his book, Christians and Money: A Guide to Personal Finance, that “with ownership comes the right to do as one pleases with that which is owned. If you own something, you do not need to consult with anyone if you choose to change it, dispose of it, give it away, or even destroy it. The Christian steward soon discovers and affirms that true ownership is with God.” (p.4)

Do you agree with him that all that you have is actually God’s?
Do most Christians act as though they believe this? If we did, what would change?

The 2009-2012 Guidelines on Stewardship says, “We are all stewards of God’s Kingdom – every one of us. We may be effective stewards or not-so-effective stewards, but nevertheless, we are stewards all the time.” (p.7).

Jay Archer, in his article, talks about disciplined giving that comes not from feelings, but from faith. He also asks ‘what are we teaching our children about giving?’ So take some time to ask yourself what sort of steward are you and what lessons are you teaching your children? Are you effective?

Community Care Fellowship is a United Methodist Ministry supported by our Tennessee Annual Conference apportionment funds. Does your congregation pay its apportionment in full? Why or why not? If you have the time, check out the Conference’s website and see the wide variety of ministries supported by our apportionment gifts.

What did you think of J. Clif Christopher’s assertion that pastors should know how people give? If it made you mad, why?

WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?

Ryan Bennett in his article says, “Love of the Creator translates into a love of the creation, and a love of neighbor means you want to protect the very things they need to live – clean air, clean water, and a clean food supply. We do this not only for our neighbors now, but also for our neighbors of future generations. Environmental stewardship is at the heart of a holistic view of stewardship.”
Who in your community suffers most from pollution?
Which neighborhoods have the most trees and which are surrounded by concrete?
In what area is your landfill and what does that say about loving neighbors?

Both Joaquin Garcia and John Purdue talk about ‘living out of the table.” Herb Mather, likewise, mentions the stewardship of hospitality that welcomes the stranger. As United Methodists, we stand in a long line of thought that says one cannot love God if one does not love his or her neighbor. So what ministries do you see in your local congregation that you would say reflect the stewardship of hospitality to the stranger?

Pat Freudenthal – Director of Community Care Fellowship and pastor of Nancy Webb Kelly UMC – talked about stewardship of buildings. Except for Saturday, CCF is open for ministry to the poor and homeless. What would your church’s neighbors say about your church building? Will they have been in it? How often are your doors open? Do you have onsite ministries to meet your neighbors’ needs?

WHO IS GOD?

Joaquin Garcia talks of a faith built on this God who “provides enough manna for the needs of the people.” He is, of course, referring to the passage in Exodus when God feeds the tribes. Can you think of some sections in the New Testament that likewise speak to God’s faithfulness to meet our basic needs? If you have a concordance, look up all the passages that refer to money, greed and generosity. What does Paul, in particular, think about greed and how it interferes with our love of God?

Joaquin also states that, “God will be with us because God sustains God’s people.” Think about your own life. Have there been rough times in which you felt the presence of God? How did God carry you through those times? How can you be God’s agent to someone else?

John Purdue talks of the Holy Spirit. Think for a moment of the many promises made about the Holy Spirit….comforter, giver of gifts, that presence that says, “Abba, Father,” and so on. List them. How does our belief in the very real presence of God found in the Holy Spirit inform our individual and corporate response to God’s grace and to our neighbor’s need? Are you listening to God’s nudge about your own giving? If not, what can you do?