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Stewardship at the Local Church

By Mario Niño, MSPH.

GENERAL CONFERENCE

Stewardship Ministries

2010-2015

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Analysis of the Environment

• 1) There are structural changes in the world which have been brought about by the advancement of scientific knowledge and technology.

• The church recognizes this situation and offers a serious plan which responds to the needs of the people.

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Analysis of the Environment

• 2) Secularism has not been the answer. There are many who have achieved an academic title, a good professional job, and an elevated social position, and nevertheless feel an emptiness in their lives.

• Material possessions have not satisfied all the needs of the human being.

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Analysis of the Environment

• 3) People are spiritually thirsty and wish to have answers for all their questions on spiritual things.

• This is not the time to present entertaining programs on spiritual and religious themes.

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Analysis of the Environment

• 4) The spiritual interest of the people is not in Christianity as a religion, or particularly in a church and its mission.

• The spiritual interest lies in the desire to know God: Who is He? What is He? And to define: Who am I, and why am I here?

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Opportunity for the Church

• A new interest in religion has awakened in the world. People are looking for a church where they can find God.

• And many times they find: jokes, promotions, threats, and scoldings.

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Opportunity for the Church

• When people go to a restaurant, they expect to find a meal. When people go to a concert, they expect to find music. When people go to church, the expect to find a spiritual atmosphere.

• When this is not found, they are disappointed and continue looking in other places until they finally find something that satisfies them.

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Internal Analysis

• On the other hand, since the church forms part of the economic system of the world, what happens in the economic world affects the ecclesiastical agenda.

• A survey has shown that financial matters are going to consume more and more time of religious institutions boards and of its leaders.

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Internal Analysis

• Nevertheless, the members are have little interest in the operating budgets.

• For them, the motivation is in Bible study, missionary projection, and the evangelization of the church.

• They take for granted that the church has adequate financial management.

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What can we do?

• It requires us to place the world of church boards and the world of the members inside the framework of the reality of the church.

• It is necessary to promote stewardship through a program of spiritual revival.

• In reality it is the only way to obtain consistent results in a local church.

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What should be done?

• The leader of the revival must have a knowlege of: • 1. The history of the church • 2. The teachings of the church • 3. The mission of the church• 4. The structure • 5. The system of government • 6. The financial system of the church, and • 7. And have the ability to motivate and promote

reorganization in all aspects of the church.

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Do we know our History?

• 1. Millerite Revival 1830-1844.

• 2. Doctrinal Development 1844-1848.

• 3. Organizational Development 1848-1863.

• 4. Institutional Development 1863-1888.

• 5. Expansion and Revival 1888-1900.

• 6. Reorganization and Crisis 1901-1910.

• 7. World Expansion 1910-1955.

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An Environment based on Spiritual Revival

• “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this must be our first work.” 22 Mar. 1887 – C.S., p. 41.

• Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life…..… Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories. 1 – S. M., p.128.

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5. Steps in Spiritual Revival

• 1. Nominate the leaders

• 2. Define the Priorities

• 3. Determine the Strategies

• 4. Devise Programs and Projects, and

• 5. Monitor the programs and projects

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Step # 1: Leaders

• The election of the leaders depends on the size of the church and the availability of talents.

• It is necessary to train the leaders so that they have a good knowledge of what they must do. The Church Manual has the necessary information.

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Step 2: Define Priorities

• Analyze the Mission Statement

• Think: What is preventing the church from accomplishing its mission?

• How would we define the priorities of this church in particular?

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Step 3: Determine Strategies

• A strategy is a different way of doing things in order to achieve the objective and obtain bigger and greater results.

• The programs and projects cannot be drawn up without first defining the strategy or the strategies that are necessary.

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Step 4: Programs and Projects

• The programs must satisfy the needs of the church.

• Must be coordinated and synchronized so that one will not impose on the other.

• Must have financial support through the operating budget which defines the boundaries within which the church can function.

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Where to begin?

• Locating the members:• How many are they? Who are they? Where

are they? How are they?• Classify them in four categories: • 1. Permanent Members• 2. Members in transition• 3. Members in special situations • 4. Whereabouts unknown

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Consolidating the Members

• The members need to know (1) The history, (2) The teachings, and (3) The organization of the church.

• The training of the members is accomplished through the work of the Youth Society, Lay Society, Pathfinder Club, Adventurer Club, etc.

• The seminars for each group must fill the needs of each one.

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Organizing the Time

• The Church at Study (Sabbath morning) 70 minutes.

• The Church in Training, 30 minutes. A seminar of instruction 25 minutes and 5 minutes for special announcements.

• The Church at Worship, 70 minutes for the Divine Worship.

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Worship and Meetings

• The time during Sabbath is organized, taking into consideration the situation of each church.

• It is most important to create a spiritual environment which encourages and motivates the brethren.

• All programing must take into account the non-Adventist population.

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Worship and Meetings

• The distribution of time on the Sabbath takes into account the preference of the church.

• In some churches the Youth Society meets on Friday night, while others prefer to meet on Sabbath afternoon.

• Some activities take place weekly, while others take place every two weeks or monthly.

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Worship and Meetings

• The Bible Study class must form part of the regular programing.

• 1. A basic level for non-Adventists

• 2. An advanced level for the members of the church.

• Include a time for special meetings and

• Administrative Meetings.

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Programming

• A week of Spiritual Revival must be included as part of the program.

• Present biblical theologies that explain the concept of the covenant.

• Present the History of Systematic Benevolence from its origin until today.

• Visit the members at least once a year.

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Permanent Committees

• Each department doing its part• The permanent committees facilitate

the work of the board:1. Attention to New Believers Committee2. Construction and Embellishment Committee3. Membership Committee4. Finance and Stewardship Committee5. Pastoral Visitation Committee

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The Church Board

• Present to the church board all the programs for the following year (January - December). Although the ecclesiastical year can vary in different places, the program and the budget must be made for the calendar year which facilitates the statistics at the world level.

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Step 5: Follow-up

• The church must be well motivated to attend the Business Meeting..

• This can be held on a special Sabbath with one hour for Sabbath School, one hour for Divine Worship, and an hour for the Business Meeting.

• Provide printed materials for the members.

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Regular Evaluation

• Present positive monthly reports.

• Express thanks for what was done and what was contributed.

• Present simple statistical reports.

• Each quarter at the Business Meeting accumulative statistics are to be provided.

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Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwelll

on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue and people-saying with a loud voice “Fear God and give glory to Him for the

hour of His judgement has come….…” Rev. 14:6,7.

By Mario Niño, MSPH.

GENERAL CONFERENCE

Stewardship Ministries

2010-2015