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For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
—Matthew 6:21
Dear brothers and sisters of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese,
The Diocesan staff has made a decision to focus each edition of the Communiqué on one of the Six Marks of a Flourishing Church that I have been discussing since Synod last November. It is our hope that this will focus our work together to reach our goal of Fifty Flourishing Churches in Five Years.
This issue is focused on Wise Stewardship. You might think that this Mark means “wise spending within the agreed upon limits and in a conservative way that assures we are spending less than we receive from our tithes and offerings.” This is clearly a part of it, but wise stewardship actually begins with how we teach the people of God to approach their money and other gifts. As you’re probably very aware, Jesus spoke on money quite a bit. He did so, I believe, because it is a foundational part of discipleship. If we’re not willing to trust God with our money, we are not likely to trust him with more important things (Luke 19:11).
Many of our churches are supported by women and men who have been discipled to give sacrificially of their income and to do so cheerfully. It is my theory, however, that we as a Diocese overall do less teaching on tithing, and giving beyond the tithe, than those who came before us.
I’m forever grateful for a lay leader at my parish in Gainesville named Ralph, who led his then-young rector to understand the importance of encouraging (through teaching, testimony, and—importantly—a clear call to commitment) the faithful to generous giving. Ralph had made his professional life in the real estate industry, mostly commercial. He had come to faith mid-life, through the witness of his wife, his parish, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He was a firm believer in the tithe and giving beyond the tithe out of an abundance of gratitude to the Lord for his salvation.
As a young church leader, even while practicing the tithe, I was very aware that many people think that all the Church wants from them is their money, and so was reluctant to teach or preach on giving. Ralph helped me understand that for a maturing Christian, giving of our income to the Lord is a privilege and a discipline that brings great joy.
As you read the rest of this Communiqué, you will hear various aspects of Wise Stewardship, communicated through our Diocesan staff. Setting budgets, systems of accountability, visionary leadership (an inspiration to give!), and investing in the spread of the Gospel and the planting of churches to the ends of the Earth are all a part of Wise Stewardship. It all begins in the heart of every disciple.
I give away a portion of my income to demonstrate that my trust is not in my financial resources but in the Lord my God. He is able to provide more for me with 90% (or even less) of my income than I could do with 100%. And I give my money to the support of the Church, releasing it to those entrusted to Wise Stewardship within that congregation, without strings attached. Yes, they will be accountable, but that act of trust builds my faith. “All things come from you, oh Lord, and of your own have we given you” (1 Chron 29:14; cited in BCP, p. 131).
God bless you all as you grow in wise stewardship, and I look forward to seeing you at Synod.