For Vestries and Bishop's Committees
Parish finances begin and end with stewardship.
All that we have belongs to God and is entrusted to us to use for God's purposes.
(Webber, The Vestry Handbook), p.17
In meetings with vestries and bishop's committees, the question invariably arises, “What is our role in stewardship?” There are really three answers to this question:
First, elected leaders need not be the largest contributors, but all should be among the first to make a commitment. In some congregations, the annual stewardship campaign is not presented to the congregation until pledges have been received from 100% of the vestry/bishop's committee members (and 100% of stewardship committee members, if applicable).
Leaders are also encouraged to be transparent in discussing their spiritual growth as stewards in whatever way is most comfortable for them. This might include speaking during a service or in a meeting; writing a personal statement for a bulletin insert or newsletter; or talking with others in the congregation who may also be growing proportional giving or tithing. The format will vary; the important thing is to encourage one another's discernment.
Second, vestries and bishop's committees should consider preparing a stewardship covenant as part of their annual retreat. The format is very simple and does not obligate any individual to a specific contribution. The covenant simply expresses the group's commitment to spiritual growth in stewardship and invites the congregation to join them in individual prayer and discernment. For congregations that do not yet have a stewardship committee this statement is also opportunity to commission one.
The format of a stewardship covenant can be relatively simple-we believe; we commit ourselves to; we invite/encourage; we commission-but its presence in the life of a vestry or bishop's committee can be significant. (Click here and here. for sample stewardship covenants.) The statement should be reviewed at each year's leadership retreat so that it remains fresh and reflects how each vestry or bishop's committee lives and works together as a faith community.
Finally, the vestry or bishop's committee is in a unique position to model three-fold stewardship. The first aspect is, of course, individual stewardship of personal abundance, referring to each member's household commitment.
The second aspect is stewardship of the gifts and pledges entrusted to the leadership body by the congregation. A church budget is so much more than a financial outline of expected receipts and anticipated expenses. It is a living document that expresses the congregation's values; it explains how the local church will act out its commitment to live as stewards of the Gospel. Thus church finances are not just a financial responsibility for church leaders, but a spiritual responsibility as well.
The third aspect of three-fold stewardship refers to decision-making role of vestries and bishop's committees, who act as stewards of what flows out in the name of the congregation. This is both an expression of the Gospel and an opportunity to witness those commitments reflected in the stewardship covenant. If, for example, there is a commitment among leaders to grow toward proportional giving or tithing as individuals, here is an opportunity to model that commitment by dedicating a percentage of the budget to ministry beyond the congregation, beyond our borders, and even beyond our understanding.
Resources
Bonner, The Rev. Robert H. and the Rev. Stuart E. Schadt; A Time for Vision: A Stewardship Handbook for Vestries; Office of Stewardship, Episcopal Church Center. No longer in print; the diocesan Stewardship Office has copies on hand.
Brown, Keith B; One the Road Again: Managing Evangelism and Stewardship for the Kingdom; Church Publishing. To order phone (800) 242-1918 or visit www.churchpublishing.org
Parsons, Terry; Talking About God and Money: A Series of Six Conversations for Small Groups; The Episcopal Church Center. No longer in print, but soon to be available as a free download; in the meantime, the Stewardship Office has copies on hand.
Snow, Luther K; The Power of Asset Mapping: How Your Congregation Can Act on Its Gifts; The Alban Institute. To order phone (800) 486-1318 or visit www.alban.org
Webber, Christopher L; Vestry Handbook; Morehouse Publishing. To order, phone 800-877-0012 or visit www.morehousepublishing.org.
Please contact The Rt. Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen or call her at 207-232-1986 for more information
