wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Stewardship process helps leaders

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>5.14.2009		
>	LCMS News	 	
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>THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod  	 	
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	May 14, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 39

Stewardship process helps leaders manage what God gives

>By Roland Lovstad

Seeing stewardship everywhere, Rev. John Duerr is making it a regular
theme for a second year in his preaching and teaching at Hope Lutheran
Church in Warren, Mich. And, the pastor intends to continue that
approach for three more years as the congregation's leaders engage the
topic on a regular basis.

"It has been a godsend," says Duerr, describing his congregation's
experience with "Faith Aflame: Stewardship 360 Degrees," a comprehensive
look at the Christian's responsibility as a manager, or steward, of
everything God gives.

In many congregations, the topic of stewardship often arises before the
annual budget meeting and often is equated only with money, according to
Rev. Wayne Knolhoff, director of stewardship ministry with the LCMS
Board for District and Congregational Services.  "Stewardship is whole
life and year-round," he says, adding that "Faith Aflame: 360 Degrees"
seeks to reach deeper.

The process is co-authored by Knolhoff and Dr. Stuart Brassie, mission
facilitator in the Missouri District. It focuses on three principles:
that God is the owner of everything and everyone; that people are called
to be Christian stewards by God's grace; and that managers are
responsible and accountable.

"Most people think they own what they have," Knolhoff says. "They act
differently when they realize God owns everything, including their life
and their family, and it's on loan for a short while. It's a wonderful
opportunity and a high responsibility to manage for His purposes."

He says the study materials are targeted to congregational leaders,
because they can teach it to others if they understand stewardship
themselves through study of God's Word.

At Hope in Michigan, Pastor Duerr says that kind of study regularly
closes the monthly church council meetings. As leaders of ministry
teams, the council members then teach at their team meetings. The pastor
also draws from the study for his preaching and teaching.

"It keeps us grounded in why we do what we do," Duerr says. "By
embracing good stewardship principles, we are practicing good theology.
It is a Gospel response to understand that we own nothing, not even our
own bodies." He says his perspective on "360 degrees" is that anywhere a
person looks he will see stewardship in the Christian life.

Knolhoff says the goal is that stewardship is seen as a life issue
rather than a financial one, and that stewardship is elevated as a
spiritual issue rather than an institutional issue in every
congregation. So far, three of five modules have been completed. They
introduce the biblical basics in the first year, and then proceed to
personal stewardship and congregational stewardship. The fourth and
fifth modules involve leading in life and in God's family, and serving
God and neighbor.

Knolhoff invites congregations of all sizes to participate in testing
the new materials and the process. "It's a work in progress," he says,
noting that the materials are available free from
www.lcms.org/faithaflame <http://www.lcms.org/faithaflame> . The modules
are intended to be used in sequence, with the final two coming during
the next two years.

Congregations are encouraged to participate in the full process, which
begins with a three-hour workshop for 12 to 15 lay leaders and the
pastors. After that workshop the congregation is asked to decide whether
to participate. Then the leaders commit to participate in "learning
communities" that meet monthly to pray, study, discuss, and plan.
Members of the learning communities also agree to hold each other
accountable for growth and development in stewardship activities.

"It's intensive," Knolhoff says, "but the change won't happen without
intensive, continuous learning."

Knolhoff expresses an ambitious goal for the process -- to change the
stewardship culture in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. "We're
trying to help God's people see their relationship to the Lord as
Christian disciples and stewards," he explains. The idea is to help
people understand the richness of the concept that a steward manages
everything -- time, talents, treasures, even mind and body -- for God's
purposes.

According to Knolhoff, congregations are reporting positive results
after beginning the process.

In Warren, Mich., for example, Pastor Duerr reports increases in worship
attendance, giving, and personal service.  "There is greater enthusiasm
for ministry and for the Gospel," he adds.

Roland Lovstad is a freelance writer and a member of Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Perryville, Mo.

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If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release, contact
Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org
<mailto:joe.isenhower@lcms.org>  or (314) 996-1231, or Paula Schlueter
Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org <mailto:paula.ross@lcms.org>  or (314)
996-1230.

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