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 8:1-6 (NIV)

Real stewardship and giving 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.

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GC Policy Book 2009/10:29

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 21 ST CENTURY Rural Slash & Burn Urban Conserve Local Economies Global Economy Save & Invest Spend & Enjoy Life Predictable Life Uncertain

SDA CHURCH SHIFT PAST PRESENT NAD Based Slow Growth Few Members Mission World Based Fast Growth Many Members Maintenance Fixed Structure Flexible Systems

SDA GIVING SHIFT OLD NEW Offering Calendar Combined Plan Many Offerings One Pool Complicated GC Benefit Simple All Levels Benefit Program Driven Worship Driven

STEWARDSHIP SHIFT DEPARTMENT MINISTRY Remuneration Fund Raising Money Development Finances Restoration Faith Building People Disciples Spirituality

FOCUS SHIFT NARROW BROAD Tithe & Offerings Lordship of Jesus Church Member God as Owner Behavior Pocket & Wallet Program 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 DISCIPLE

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Servant of Jesus

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Follower of Jesus

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Lives Jesus’ Lordship

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Worships the Creator

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Lives the life of Jesus

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Worships Redeemer

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Led by God’s Spirit

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Gives life to Jesus

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Led by the Holy Spirit

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Submit all to Jesus

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Loves people sincerely

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Loves other disciples

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Cares for the planet Uses gifts in ministry

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Cares for environment

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Serves in ministries

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Committed to mission

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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.