Nurturing Spiritual Development

Because stewardship defines our relationship with the Lord, it is a deeply spiritual issue. How we manage what God has given to us is a reflection of our heart. What does a stewardship relationship with God mean?

What it comes down to is a basic understanding that everything we are, and everything we have are gifts entrusted to us. God owns it all and He has created us as managers. How does that translate to our relationship to God?

Stewardship defines our relationship with God in that when we have acknowledged the basic principle of God's ownership, we find freedom not confinement. Stewardship is the management of our time, talent, and resources. When you think about that, those are the things that are present in virtually every minute of every day of our lives. If we are in a stewardship relationship with God, our life and the decisions we make are a reflection of His daily presence.

Stewardship is a journey. Barnabas Foundation will work with your church providing grassroots education that needs to happen to "grow" faithful stewards in your congregation. This begins with your church leadership - ministry team, council, etc. - and then extends to each member of the congregation.

Leading from the Pulpit

As a pastor you may think, "It would be nice not have to talk about money." Does this topic make you and your parishioners feel uncomfortable?

"At least once a year preachers would prefer not to be recognized on the pulpit. During their annual stewardship messages they would prefer to hand out written copies of their sermons for the people to read while the preachers themselves hide behind the pulpit." Firstfruits: A Stewardship Guide for Church Leaders© by Robert C. Heerspink (Faith Alive Christian Resources).

Perhaps it is because too often stewardship is equated with fundraising. Stewardship is not about raising funds, it is about raising disciples. It does not emphasize the need of the organization to receive, but the need of the giver to give.

How can we help the average person sitting in the pew become a faithful steward? For a church to have an effective stewardship program, it must start from the top down.. Do you realize that more than 2,000 verses in Scripture deal with stewardship? Do you know that nearly half of Jesus? parables deal with money and wealth? This certainly is a topic of importance. Barnabas Foundation will help you begin a stewardship awakening in your church by equipping the pastor with the tools needed to lead and preach about stewardship.

Developing Increased Giving


Those charged with the development of stewardship in the congregation do not always do a good job of communicating ministry needs to their members. Would you like to more effectively demonstrate how God is doing great things through your church?

How many times have just a handful of people attended your congregational meetings to discuss the budget? If your church budget is viewed solely as a financial document and not a visionary plan, a ho-hum reaction should be no surprise.

A budgeting process that hopes to create any enthusiasm on the part of the membership, must start with vision and mission. Do your members know why their church is special and in what direction it is headed? Barnabas Foundation will help you look at new ways to create excitement for giving to your church's ministries.

Planning and Implementing Stewardship Strategies


A well-planned stewardship program for your church is a real growth opportunity for your ministries. It will create spiritual growth for your members. What is involved in being intentional about stewardship?

Stewardship involves a number of leadership dimensions -- certainly the pastor and the full support of the council/board. However, to have stewardship become on-going, all-encompassing part of your church, a standing stewardship committee or task force is a requirement.

Barnabas Foundation will work with your church in setting up a stewardship task force. It will also assist in development of clearly defined goals and strategies, that will help your members become thankful believers who are rich in giving to God and others.