STEWARDSHIP IN A CHANGING WORLD Erika F Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference
GIVING TO THE LORD 3 For I testify that they (Macedonian churches) gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God s will. 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (NIV)
Christian stewardship and generosity starts with the giving of one s total self first to God.
SDA MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to make disciples of all people, communicating the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Savior and unite with His remnant church, discipling them to serve Him as Lord, and preparing them for His soon return. GC Policy Book 2010/11:29
REALITIES 1. The world in which the Seventh-day Adventist Church was born into has changed, and it continues to change.
REALITIES 2. For the SDA Church to be relevant and connect with people s hearts today, it must adapt the way it does ministry (including stewardship) in the world.
REALITIES 3. Biblical stewardship is the total commitment of the heart to God including the returning of the Lord s tithe and the giving of free-will offerings.
REALITIES 4. Stewardship is the spiritual responsibility of every believer; and it is the work of every department with Stewardship Ministries emphasizing, promoting, and teaching financial stewardship.
GLOBAL SHIFT 20 TH CENTURY Rural Slash & Burn Local Economies Save & Invest Life Predictable 21 ST CENTURY Urban Conserve Global Economy Spend & Enjoy Life Uncertain
SDA CHURCH SHIFT PAST NAD Based Slow Growth Few Members Mission Fixed Structure PRESENT World Based Fast Growth Many Members Maintenance Flexible Systems
SDA GIVING SHIFT OLD NEW Offering Calendar Combined Plan Many Offerings Complicated GC Benefit Program Driven One Pool Simple All Levels Benefit Worship Driven
STEWARDSHIP SHIFT DEPARTMENT Remuneration Fund Raising Money Development Finances MINISTRY Restoration Faith Building People Disciples Spirituality
FOCUS SHIFT NARROW BROAD Tithe & Offerings Lordship of Jesus Church Member Behavior Pocket & Wallet Program God as Owner Values Heart Lifestyle
Stewardship Strategy Offering Systems Stewardship Education Information & Communication Strategy Pastor Local Church
Stewardship Initiatives 1. Development of a stewardship curriculum for theological training (EDU). 2. Partnership in stewardship education programs for field pastors (MIN). 3. Revision and upgrade of stewardship education certification for stewardship personnel (SS/PM).
Stewardship Initiatives 4. Development of a family budgeting and financial management seminar (FM). 5. Development of a personal budgeting and financial course for youth (YOU). 6. Development of a visual stewardship education package for children (CHM).
Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God STEWARD! Servant of Jesus! Lives Jesus Lordship! Worships the Creator! Led by God s Spirit! Gives life to Jesus! Loves people sincerely! Cares for the planet! Uses gifts in ministry! Committed to mission DISCIPLE! Follower of Jesus! Lives the life of Jesus! Worships Redeemer! Led by the Holy Spirit! Submit all to Jesus! Loves other disciples! Cares for environment! Serves in ministries! Make new disciples
CONCLUSION 1. Wholistic stewardship affirms the place of God and the Bible in Seventh-day Adventist beliefs.
CONCLUSION 2. Approaching stewardship as a spiritual matter and a way of life is consistent with the GC session (2010) action to include ministries in the department s name, the mission statement of the Church, and the leadership s emphasis on revival and reformation.
CONCLUSION 3. The broad approach is consistent with the way Christian stewardship is expressed in fundamental twenty-one (21), and it includes tithe and offerings.
CONCLUSION 4. Stewardship is an on-going tool in the Church s initiative of Tell the World and its emphasis on Reach Up, Reach Out, and Reach Across.