Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2014 Issue | Page 15

Stewardship...and pchange
What’s trending and transformative in stewardshi and development
Julie Simonton

Jesus calls us to change and to be changed. Through word, action and
prayer, Jesus leads us on our journey of discipleship – together – to
steward the gifts God gives us to do the transformative work God calls us
to do.

Jesus describes our call to reverse
cultural value systems through his
blessings and healing of the poor,
the hungry and the rejected. Jesus
demonstrates our call to love our
enemies through his embrace of those
who do not keep God’s laws and his
forgiveness of those who persecute
him. And Jesus simply is our call to
transformational prayer. He invites us
to be awake with him. Shows us how
to be still. Then gives us the words
to draw us ever deeper into God’s
transforming Kingdom.

But … BUT … how do we interpret
these Gospel examples into 21st-century
Episcopal churches – especially into the
many churches experiencing reduced
budgets, dwindling volunteers, declining
worship attendance and increased
competition for charitable giving? Our
churches often feel like we’re in the
ministry of finding the resources just
to keep the doors open rather than in
the transformative life of discipleship
amongst, betwixt and between all of
God’s children, wherever they may be.

How we do it is by embracing the

example of the Gospel and telling our
own stories of Jesus among us.

“Stewardship … and Change” is a
new opportunity to share our stories
and resources throughout the Diocese
of Virginia. Features on our website, in
the e-Communiqué, on Facebook and
through the Virginia Episcopalian will
highlight what’s trending in books,
blogs, programs and anything else we
find inspiring. And I do mean “we.” Be
in touch with what’s inspiring you and
your parish … and answer the call to
change and be changed. t

Many resources are found online. If an electronic resource is of
interest but your access is limited, please contact our office and we
will gladly mail a copy.
Apocalyptic Stories and Stewardship
tinyurl.com/DOVstewardship1 or tens.org

“Stewardship is also about how we raise our children, how we
earn our livings, how we treat each other and how we are engaged in
our communities.”
The Art of Spiritual Conversation in a Changing Culture
tinyurl.com/DOVstewardship2 or barna.org

“According to Barna research, only 4 percent of unchurched
adults were invited to church by a friend and actually went, 23
percent were invited but declined and 73 percent were never invited
at all. Why do you think this invitational model isn’t working?”
It’s Social Ties—Not Religion—That Makes the Faithful Give to Charity
tinyurl.com/DOVstewardship3 or ideas.time.com

“Three-quarters of all household charitable giving goes to
organizations that have religious ties.”

Laundry Love
tinyurl.com/DOVstewardship4 or ecfvp.org

“Sometimes the way to get people ‘back to church’ is by
starting a different kind of church.”
What We Shall Become
tinyurl.com/DOVstewardship5 or churchpublishing.org

“We have struggled for a generation to find our bearings,
structurally, as the circles defining who we are drawn wider and
wider and our expectations and norms as well as our gifts become
even more abundantly diverse and at times in apparent conflict
within themselves. … Some essays argue that significant change to
our structures is needed for effective ministry; others illustrate what
can be accomplished within the structures we currently inhabit. All
call us to consider where we fall short as a church and challenge us
to perceive barriers in our current system and eliminate them.”

Winter 2014 / Virginia Episcopalian

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