Stewardship

In talking about the Diocesan Department of Stewardship & Development, its director, Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D., spoke about the responsibility of being a Christian steward.

“Our stewardship as Christians is not something we do. Stewardship is who we are. It comes from our vocation as Christians,” he said.

He told the delegates being a good steward includes being a good Christian. A steward, he said, is someone who prays. “If you have a stewardship program, I encourage you to begin it with prayer,” he said.

He noted that being a stewardship involves giving of ones time, treasure, and talent.

“How many of us use our talents to the best effect of our church? Is there something you do particularly well that you can use for the glory of God to build up your parish community,” he said. “Time is an exchange that once spent can never be recovered. But what I can get is a transformative experience that strengthens me as a Christian.”

“Weather we have a dollar or a million dollars we have a role in building up the church,” he said. “Stewardship is about bending ourselves to God. When we give we feel good. Not all the money we spend makes us feel good. At the end of the day how we choose to spend our time, talent, and treasure can raise us up in human beings in obedience to God.”

He broke the discussion of stewardship into two areas. Development, he said, was raising the money needed to conduct the ministries of the church. Stewardship was a more personal idea of living as Christ. “Can we get away from fundraising and develop people with an attitude of gratitude that will strengthen your church,” he said.

“Stewardship is not about getting something you want, but rather giving something that God calls us to do. It is an act of appreciation. We give for giving’s sake, for God’s sake, and for the sake of the church Christ has put in our care,” he said.

He also outlined several communication efforts which help educate and promote knowledge of the Armenian Church, including the Diocesan website, e-newsletters, and the Armenian Church magazine.

Posted by Jake at May 4, 2007 12:23 PM