Stewardship Conversations

Rev. Wayne J. Knolhoff

Director of Stewardship Ministry

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

John Gardner

“All too often, leaders become ‘servants of what is’ instead of ‘shapers of what might be.’”

Challenges

What is single most challenging stewardship issue facing Lutheran schools today?

What definition of stewardship are you using to answer this question?

American Values

• You can’t argue with success. Be successful.• Live and let live. Be tolerant.• Time files when you’re having fun. Have fun.• Shop till you drop. Be a consumer.• Just do it. Do your own thing.• No pain, no gain. Be tough.• Enough is enough. Stand up for your rights.• Time is money. Don’t waste your time.• Rules are made to be broken. Think for yourself.• God helps those who help themselves. Be independent

and work hard.

Michael Horton

Gallup and Barna hand us survey after survey demonstrating that evangelical Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit as hedonistic, materialistic, self-centered, and sexually immoral as the world in general.

Is this also true for Lutheran school graduates?

Titus 2

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Roy Bleick

For Lutherans Christian stewardship begins with the basic emphasis on justification by God on account of Christ's work by grace alone through faith. Justification does not occur through finding favor with God because of our actions. God justifies the ungodly on the basis of what Christ has done for sinners.

Christian Scharen

One of the most pressing needs of pastoral ministry is to develop, sustain, and legitimize reflection on Christian faith not simply as a set of propositions to believe, commandments to obey, or rituals to perform, but as an orienting force that impacts every aspect of daily life.

Roy Bleick

In the New Testament, “stewardship” is never used to designate the action of giving, much less the giving of money. Oikonomia relates primarily to the office of administration or management or to the implementation of a plan.

What disservice is done to God’s people when stewardship is narrowly defined?

Vision

That the stewardship culture in every congregation would be one in which all members would understand that they…– are stewards by God’s grace– are free to live as God’s disciples – are free to manage the gifts God entrusts to

them with joy and generosity

all so that His purposes would be accomplished and His mission enhanced.

Renaissance

• Must be built on a sound theological base.

• Must start with a reeducated and transformed leadership at all levels.

• Must return the concept of the godly steward to the daily vocabulary of Christian life and worship.

• Must recognize that the Christian life is to stand out in the world.

Foundation

It is the Gospel that motivates and empowers the Christian steward.

It is the Law that informs and instructs the Christian steward.

Foundation

Biblical stewardship is a spiritual issue and not just an institutional issue. How we live matters to God.

Foundation

Biblical stewardship is about the God given identity of the steward before it is about what the steward does.

Foundation

Biblical stewardship concerns all of life, not just money and possessions.

But it does include money and possessions.

Foundation

Biblical stewardship brings freedom, joy and generosity to the life of the Christian steward.

Foundation

Change is needed in the way we approach Christian stewardship.

Foundation

Change occurs in the hearts and minds of God’s people as the Holy Spirit works through the Word.

Foundation

Change is an ongoing, long term process. There are no silver bullets, quick fixes, or one (or more) week stewardship programs that will impact the stewardship culture of the congregation.

Foundation

Change must be both technical and adaptive.

Foundation

Technical change addresses a challenge quickly and effectively. Clearly defining the problem and solution.

Adaptive change is not so clear. The problem may be known, but the solution requires learning and change.

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is applying technical solutions to adaptive challenges.

Adaptive challenges require continuous learning.

Fundamentals

1.God is the Owner.

2.I am a steward.

3.I am accountable to the Owner.

Conversations

The vision is to impact the stewardship culture in the congregation in a positive way.

Changing the culture is about changing the conversation.

Changing the conversation begins with the leaders.

Where To Begin

Working toward adaptive change and not just technical change.

Conversing with congregational leaders about stewardship issues.

What’s Next?

Technical Resources

Consecrated Stewards

Journey of Discovery

What’s Next?

Adaptive Resources

Faith Aflame: 360 Degrees

stewardship@lcms.orgwww.lcms.org/faithaflame

Rev. Wayne J. Knolhoff

Director of Stewardship Ministry

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod