Stewardship Connections
In the epistemology of ecclesiology matters of "stewardship" can be
considered as subsets to the over-arching themes of ministry in daily life.
Because "ministry in daily life" identifies the locus of ministry in time and
space, it offers to "stewardship" a more expanded view of Christian life and
confounds the continuing notion that "stewardship" equals money (or more
specifically, funding the mission of God in the local congregation.)
A theological construct developed under the umbrella of "ministry in daily life"
gives to stewardship an instrumentality that connects to God's purpose and will,
whereas "stewardship" can (mistakenly) seem to lack utility. (The question that
the term "stewardship" finds a difficult time answering is "Why be a steward?"
or "Toward what end does stewardship go?") Ministry implies purpose, movement,
meaning, change, even transformation. With this in mind, the practitioner of
ecclesiastical stewardship — there ARE other stewardships in God's world! — can
find easy and frequent connections between the two terms and their theological
drayage, among them the following: Thankfulness, Principled Living, Legacy, and
Value-Exchange Theory.
Thankfulness
Paul's concept of thankfulness, although not as easily seen in recent
studies of motivation for giving, operates to engender generosity in the heart
of the believer. This understanding of stewardship — I am thankful to God and so
I do "thankful things" like giving money to the church — can be more easily
understood in ministry in daily life terms: I show my thanks to God by my thanks
for you and your life of ministry. Thus "gratitude to God" (see Philippians
1:3ff) is embodied in thankfulness for others, seen and felt in affirmation,
support, encouragement and equipping of their ministries in everyday life.
Principled Living
People who live principled lives are standards for how to live all of life,
and their congregations are deserving recipients of these individuals' financial
support when the congregations offer true value to these principled
Christians. In this paradigm, congregations benefit from the "whole-life
stewardship" (ministry in daily life) of their members, and in return benefit
from the ministry-enabling financial support of those members.
Legacy
The stewardship of God's people can be considered as a legacy of giftedness,
an inheritance from one generation to another. In the space between receiving
and passing on a legacy, stewards increase or leverage or grow that which they
inherit, thus enlarging the size and effect of the gift received. In this
understanding of stewardship, all of life is seen as a graced gift from God, and
thus worthy of stewardship. Further, "stewardship" of this kind is not
easily-boxed or tamed, and is seen as active and effective in life's many
venues. Finally, legacy bring with it a sense of historical continuity, a
changeless cycle of receiving and giving, of responsible living, a requirement
for a Christian life-sense.
Value-Exchange Theory
In the recent past it has been fashionable to deplore the supposed lack of
generosity or selflessness of the so-called "Me Generation(s)" in the light of
their materialism and/or selfish lifestyles. The most strident criticisms have
been aimed at individuals and families whose choice of congregation or mission
is based on a seeming selfishness embodied in the question, "What's in it for
me?"
More recent scholarship calls these easy condemnations into question, not only
in light of research that now reveals increasing financial generosity,
volunteerism and civility among members of the so-called Boomer and Millennial
generations, but also in the light of "value-exchange theory." Based on a
marketplace philosophy (e.g., the marketplace is where value is given for value
received), the church as institution can be seen as a value-adding mechanism of
God's Spirit, in which believers' gifts for ministry are enriched and informed,
and which in turn is deserving of believers' financial support and time
investment. In a society where anti-institutional mind sets prevail it may be a
refreshing and renewing spirit that sees the congregation as a place where
members' daily life ministries are enhanced considerably by the nurture and
proclamation of the congregation, and thus receives reciprocally the enhancement
of the financial and time commitments of the members. Value is exchanged among
willing partners, and the kingdom of God is doubly-benefited by virtue of
strengthened witness in the world and strengthened congregations. Thus, ministry
in daily life begets financial stewardship begets ministry in daily life.