by Laura J. Seaman
Carol Zeile, Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Mich., is an active volunteer. For more than 12 years, even while working fulltime as a librarian, Zeile served on church committees and the church council, as Sunday school teacher and head of altar guild, as editor of the monthly newsletter and as treasurer. “It’s hard for me to talk about my faith,” says Zeile. “But I have found that talking about what I do for my church, and how I serve, makes it easier.”
The word stewardship is often associated with monetary gifts, but Zeile is proof that it means more than that to those within the church. As the free and joyous activity of the baptized, stewardship involves managing the gifts God gives us: time, talents and treasure.
Stewardship Ministry, a division of the LCMS Office of National Mission, exists to assist congregations in cultivating and growing their understanding of stewardship and provides a variety of resources for individuals and congregations.
Faith Aflame, a process designed to improve the stewardship culture of a congregation, equips pastors and lay leaders to teach and discuss how the Gospel invites cheerful and thankful giving.
Stewardship Ministry exists to assist congregations in cultivating and growing their understanding of stewardship.
The ministry’s free, downloadable Stewardship Primers explain the foundation for Christian stewardship, the identity of a Christian as it relates to giving, how to set intentional stewardship plans both for families and congregations, and much more.
StewardCAST, a free e-news publication, provides a monthly update regarding the joy that comes from responding to Christ’s free gifts. It contains timely information and updates on stewardship and how it moves beyond mere financial support to living a whole life in service to God and one another. Stewardship Ministry also is reviewing a comprehensive
stewardship resource, which will be released in summer 2013.
“[God] only asks you to give of your abundance, of that which you can spare without harm,” wrote Dr. Martin Luther. LCMS Stewardship Ministry offers a variety of resources, based on Scripture, to help Lutherans give of their time, talents and treasure, to manage God’s gifts for His purposes and to His glory.
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