Tag: Stewardship

Three Primary Ways Christians Share Their Treasure
When I was called to be your Interim Rector, I was asked to assist the Endowment Committee of St. John’s Church in developing a program to increase the assets of the endowment. I have an interest in seeing parishes ensure the future sustainability of their missions and I also have some experience in developing church endowments. Our committee, with the assistance of the Vestry and Staff, has been putting several elements in place that are necessary for development of this type of giving: an annual professional audit, a gift acceptance policy, concise descriptions of endowment funds, a legacy society, and a list of ways to give to the endowment.

Next week, members of St. John’s will receive an invitation to consider including the endowment in their estate planning. Some may think this comes too soon on the heels of our annual stewardship campaign or have concerns that the church asks for money too often. Those are understandable concerns but there is more to this invitation than that.

The Endowment Committee believes that the momentum for the endowment that has been building should continue during the transition period while I am able to be of assistance. Even more importantly, there is no reason for an appeal on behalf of the endowment to be seen as competing with our ordinary sustaining stewardship because it is a different type of giving. Permit me to explain.

When thinking about giving to Christ and his Church, there are three fairly distinct purses from which Christians share their treasure:
- Stewardship of Current Income – The ordinary day-to-day ministry of the church is sustained by gifts from our current income.
- Stewardship of Accumulated Treasure – Special projects, capital campaigns, emergency appeals, and extraordinary projects are mainly furthered by gifts from treasure that has accumulated over time (savings).
- Stewardship of Residual Treasure – We extend our giving beyond our lifetime through legacy stewardship of retirement savings in the form of bequests from funds, properties, and insurance we will no longer need after we are gone.
The Endowment Committee is inviting us to participate in the endowment by looking to the future and including St. John’s – beyond our lifetime, just as we might include members of our family, our alma mater, or some other cause that is dear to our hearts.

The central message is that we are privileged to be stewards of all of it! Whether spent, saved, or given away, every penny is a sacred trust from God. How can God’s mission at St. John’s be strengthened by the treasure we leave when we no longer need it?

It is exciting to think what can be accomplished by St. John’s if the ongoing mission of the parish is sustained by members giving generously from their current income so that extra sources of income, such as the endowment, can be used for extraordinary purposes. I hope that when the letter from these members of your church family arrives in your mailbox you will read it with an open mind and give the invitation prayerful consideration.

I’ll see you in Church!
November 12, 2015
Sermon at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole ~ October 11, 2015

The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

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October 11, 2015
With Glad and Generous Hearts

I have compiled a series of meditations on stewardship for St. John's Episcopal Church, Jackson Hole, into an online booklet. You can make it full screen and turn the pages like a book or you can download it as a pdf. May it inspire you to a deeper appreciation for the spiritual discipline of stewardship.

October 8, 2015
Sermon at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole ~ October 4, 2015

The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

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October 5, 2015
The Cross of St. George and Tithing

Now as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. – 2 Corinthians 8:7

As it was a challenge to the original recipients, this exhortation of St. Paul remains a challenge to the Church in any age, including St. John’s today. We are invited to excel in generosity toward God! What is the standard to guide us in such an undertaking? The Episcopal Church teaches that the tithe (ten percent of our income) is the minimum biblical standard for Christian giving. Minimum? The average financial pledge for Episcopalians is about 4% and for members of St. John’s it's about 2.5%. We're being encouraged to step up toward the tithe. And yet, our Church’s teaching suggests that that is only “the minimum.” How much more will be enough?

The reason our Church's teaching is stated this way is that the New Testament standard for giving is one hundred percent. Do you remember the occasion when Jesus pointed out the poor widow who put two small coins in the offering box at the Jerusalem temple? It was an object lesson for his disci-ples. He wanted them to notice that the more prosperous people contributed the mandated minimum portion of their wealth as an offering to God and the poor widow contributed everything she had. “Truly I tell you,” said Jesus, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:3-4).

On another occasion, some people asked Jesus whether it was lawful for the faithful to pay taxes to Caesar. He responded, “Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “The emperor's.” He said to them, “Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's” (Luke 20:24-25). The image and title of the Emperor was stamped on the coin of his realm. Jesus' subtle point was that the image and title of God is stamped on the human being, which is the most valuable asset of God's realm.

It is our purpose and our privilege to offer ourselves to God. Jesus showed us how to do that on the cross. The result of that ultimate offering was resurrection. Our offering is made complete and our lives made victorious when joined with his offering. “Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

In the insignia of St. John’s, the Red Cross of St. George on the white field is a reminder of the English origins of The Episcopal Church. From the thirteenth century until the nineteenth century, the flag of England was a red cross on a white field symbolizing the patron saint of England, St. George. Most of what we know about St. George is legend. We usually associate him with the Crusades or dragon slaying. However, reliable sources suggest that George was a martyr who suffered under the persecution of the emperor Diocletian in the fourth century.

Martyrdom has always been considered the supreme witness for one's faith. Even more importantly, that red cross is a reminder of victory through sacrifice – the sacrifice of Christ and his martyr, George. When Christian art began to depict the Risen Christ holding a triumphal cross-shaped staff with a banner attached to it, the banner was most frequently white, symbolizing purity, with a red cross on it, symbolizing the victory of the risen Christ over death.

Although Christians still die for their faith in many places, you and I will probably never be required to face physical death for our faith. Nevertheless, we are called to offer our lives completely in Christ's service. St. Paul's invitation to Roman Christians is as significant to us as it was to the those to whom it was addressed during a time of persecution two thousand years ago:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2).

So, then, how are we to understand the tithe in relation to the radical expectation that we are supposed to give everything to God? Here's a way to look at it. The tithe is the portion we give specifically to God as a tangible sign of our acknowledgement that everything we have – possessions, time, lives, relationships, labors, influence – whether saved, spent, or given away is a sacred trust from God. Giving sacrificially to God is a spiritual discipline, like the disciplines of worship, prayer, sacraments, study, and good works. We give God a portion of what we have that is large enough to be considered sacrificial so that we notice when it is gone. That should make us mindful of what we do with everything else that remains.

Gay and I practice tithing as a spiritual discipline in this way. Years ago, when we struggled with the decision about how much to give to God, we realized that if we tithed and could not live on the remaining 90%, we were living beyond our means. So we made the necessary adjustments to our life-style and discovered that we still have more than enough. In fact, we are still able to save for a comfortable retirement and to support other worthy causes. It is only one way to keep tabs on our spiritual life and values, but a very important one. It helps us see how abundantly God blesses us so that we can bless others.

When you see that red cross, remember the ultimate sacrifice and victory of Christ, St. George, and all the Christian martyrs. Be mindful of the living sacrifice you are called to make and the victorious life you are called to live. Consider how your bold decision to give to God will gladden your heart and make you a more generous saint in God’s household. Envision how together with your fellow saints you can ensure that St. John’s is a beacon of generosity.

“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).

I’ll see you in Church!

September 23, 2015
A Heritage of Generosity

Several aspects of parish life are symptomatic of the spiritual health of the community and its members – including hospitality, worship attendance, faith development, outreach to others, and stewardship. Priests who are discerning a call to serve in a parish are especially interested in examining these practices in light of their own priestly gifts and vocational emphases.

Together at St. John's, we have been exploring these practices and other areas of congregational health in a variety of settings. We are now at a crossroads when Christian stewardship of possessions must have our full attention. In many ways, how God's people relate to their possessions and how they express their generosity toward God touches every other aspect of personal spirituality and the common life of the parish. When we practice the spiritual discipline of stewardship our hearts are gladdened and we become more generous. Generosity changes both the giver and the Church.

This is nothing new. St. Paul addressed this relationship with the members of the Corinthian Church: “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God” (2 Cor. 9:10-12). Jesus said it this way, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and God's righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt. 6:33).

During conversations prior to my arrival in Jackson Hole, the Wardens and Vestry impressed upon me that they wanted me to help the parish take the next steps that will lead to a lasting change in the culture of giving at St. John’s. My assessment is that parishioners should focus less on the church's need to receive and focus more on the giver's need to give to God. It is possible that many members have not taken full responsibility for their own personal stewardship because the parish has begun to lean too heavily on other sources of income. I’ve been told that some don’t give because they think St. John’s doesn’t need their contributions. That viewpoint misses the point of Christian stewardship altogether.

Emphasizing the church's need to receive is a fund raising strategy. In contrast, emphasizing the giver's need to give fosters Christian stewardship. One is based on need, the other is based on God's bountiful generosity toward us. One is consumer-oriented, the other is God-oriented. One anticipates receiving something in return, the other is our response to something already received. There is nothing wrong with fund raising, but personal stewardship must be the foundation for the Church’s mission.

We give to God, not to a budget. Budgets and financial statements are are useful indicators of spiritual health and they provide assurances about the fiscal management of the parish. But they are not an adequate basis for Christian stewardship, have provided very little motivation for greater generosity, and certainly should never be an excuse for a Christian to withhold what belongs to God. We give to God first because God first gives to us. We give to God because we believe that all that we have, whether spent, saved, or given away is a sacred trust from God. We give to God because of our consciousness that we are the only creatures created in God's image and entrusted with the divine vocation to be stewards of everything God has provided. Giving to God is our heritage, our birthright, and our privilege.

Today's generation of worshipers at St. John’s are heirs of the generosity and stewardship of those who went before us, moving St. John’s from a humble frontier mission to the place of being the largest Episcopal Church in Wyoming. I believe God is calling this community to be even more than that; St. John’s ought to be the leading Episcopal Church in Wyoming and beyond. Since leading by example is basic to all leadership, setting an example of generous stewardship is a key to the future impact of the gospel.

Is it possible that other sources of income have become a stumbling block instead of a steppingstone? Are we leaning on fundraising, Browse ‘n’ Buy, weddings, and the endowment to balance our annual budget instead of rising to new and more generous levels of stewardship in each generation? The ordinary day-to-day mission of the parish should be sustained by the generosity of all its members so that the other sources of income will make it possible for St. John’s to do extraordinary things.

A common question that is asked during interviews with prospective rectors for large parishes is, “How heavily do you depend upon sources other than member contributions to balance the budget for the ongoing mission of the parish?” The correct answer is, “ZERO.” At the present time the answer at St. John’s would have to be, “Thirty-five percent.”

Now, during this period of transition, St. John’s has the opportunity to take the step that will change that answer! Your Stewardship Committee and I believe that every member can find ways to step up in generosity. If every member will take this step as a matter of spiritual growth, it will make a remarkable difference in your life and also allow this parish to continue the heritage of generosity that has been entrusted to us.

I recognize that some people find that talk in Church about possessions makes them feel uncomfortable. I hope that you will pray for the grace to live with that discomfort long enough to find in this challenge a priceless opportunity for spiritual growth, both for you and for the Church you love.

I’ll see you in Church!

August 26, 2015
When you don’t have the answers, hold on to the promises.

On Sunday morning, an avalanche took the lives of two young and vibrant members of the Jackson Hole community, Luke Lynch and Stephen Adamson. Two others, Zahan Billimoria and Brook Yeomans narrowly escaped. Their families, friends and associates, and the entire community are stunned and grief stricken. St. John’s caring clergy, staff, and communicants have reached out to the families and offered our ongoing support.

Two of Luke’s three children attend Bright Beginnings Episcopal Preschool. His wife, Kathy, participated in our mission to Cuba and shared her story with worshipers after their return. Stephen represented several of our members in legal matters and was involved in civic causes with others. He leaves behind his wife Sara and their two children. All of their lives are woven into the fabric of the Jackson Hole community in so many ways.

When something like this happens, especially to people who are in the prime of life, we are compelled to ask, “Why?” The simple answer is that there are no simple answers. Pastors and theologians have struggled for generations to answer such questions and we are never quite satisfied with our efforts.

But we do have the profound promise that in death life is changed, not ended. There is more to life beyond the grave. That conviction is not a matter of logic or scientific fact, but a matter of trust in our Savior who promised, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).

When I celebrate the Holy Eucharist in St. John’s Chapel, I lift the silver chalice and can read the inscription memorializing Robert McLeod, the son of Dr. Donald McLeod, who was killed in a snow slide in the Pass in 1946. It is a reminder that this is not the first time sliding snow has claimed the life of a beloved member of this community or visitors to it.

It won’t be the last time. It possibly could be if we played it safe from now on. But we won’t, because we can’t. The impulses to adventure, to explore, to pioneer, and to master the elements, were planted in humanity by our Creator in the beginning. The account of creation in the first chapter of Genesis tells it this way:

"God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth'" (Genesis 1:28).

I do not want to minimize the danger. But let us not forget that those uniquely human qualities and abilities that led those men up Mt. Moran are among the things that make us human and permit us to be partners with God in the ongoing process of creation. Every significant advance in human society has been accompanied by risks, natural obstacles, limitations, and failure of others who went before.

One of the contributions of the Judeo-Christian heritage is the assertion that the human creature is at the top of the order of creation and not subject to it. We don’t pray to the god of the wind, the god of the moon, or to an array of agricultural deities. Instead, we pray to the God who is above all gods, the Creator and Sovereign of the entire universe who created us for himself, loves us as the apple of his eye, and who has more in store for us when this life comes to an end, whether early or late. God gives us amazing resources with which to live this life to the fullest and to be stewards of this planet. Abundant life is God’s desire for all of us. And that is why in this life and in the life to come, our whole trust is in God alone, for he has promised to watch over us and provide for us no matter what. It is not answers so much as promises that give me a perspective on tragedies like this.

These reflections may not make it any easier. But I share them because I do believe the promises on which they are based to be true. When Episcopalians are faced with tragedies and crises, our response is prayer and action. This response is prompted by the Great Commandment, to love God and our neighbor with everything we have. So we pray for those who have died and for those who mourn, for in prayer we place our trust in God. And we surround those who mourn with our steadfast compassion and care because together God makes us stronger.

Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer: Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom we pray. Remember them, Lord, in your mercy; nourish them with patience; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon them; and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I’ll see you in Church!

P.S. On Tuesday, May 26, at the conclusion of the memorial service for Luke Lynch, this song was sung a soloist with everybody joining in on the chorus. I thought it kind of echoed my thoughts about answers and promises, especially these lines,

So when there's music all around you and you just can't seem to hear
When the answer's just around the bend, but it never shows up clear,
And when there's darkness right above you, it's hard to know and understand,
But there's a heart out there that loves you, and there's a promise in your hands.

Click HERE to listen to "Spirit Song" by Bill Staines.

May 21, 2015
Hidden in Plain Sight

Hidden in Plain Sight
Inspiration for Faithful Stewardship Found in Christ Church Cranbrook

I prepared this series of meditations for the Fall 2013 Stewardship campaign at Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. They were written in the hope of drawing on the messages of abundance and stewardship that are hidden in plain sight in the magnificent house of worship where we gather to offer ourselves to God.

These meditations are offered to further growth in generosity, to enrich the spiritual life, and to strengthen the spiritual fabric of Christ’s followers in this place. May they express our thanksgiving for the legacy of beaauty and generosity entrusted to future generations by the Founders, George and Ellen Booth, and serve as a challenge to this generation in the legacy it bequeaths to those who come after us.

Click HERE to read online or HERE to download a copy.

Now as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and our love for you – so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. (II Corinthians 8:7)

Faithfully,

September 22, 2014
Sermon at Christ Church Cranbrook ~ September 29, 2013

Founders' Day Sermon

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September 29, 2013
Sermon at Christ Church Cranbrook ~ September 22, 2013

September 22, 2013 ~ Proper 20C

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September 22, 2013