Written by a member of the diocese-
Time, Talent, and Treasure. These words are so well known to anyone involved with stewardship in the church, but do they really address the challenges that parishes and dioceses have today as they face shrinking congregations, challenging budgetary constraints, and a lack of understanding of the basic concepts of stewardship? Is stewardship, as our members have heard from so many out in the church, just about fundraising? As one said at our first meeting: “We always seem to define stewardship holistically, but end up at annual giving.”
As a part of our initial conversation in November 2009, it became clear that two objectives would inform the Stewardship and Development Commission’s work during this triennium. Both ‘stewardship’ and ‘development’ are part of our name, but they have vastly different reaches, definitions, and outlooks.
First, we would begin an exploration of what is meant by stewardship broadly – stewardship of our churches, our resources, our planet and environment, our time, and our bodies, among other things. Second, we needed to understand and think about ways to provide practical, on-the-ground advice and support to parishes and dioceses that are struggling with very real financial challenges.
More here-
http://episcopalchurch.org/92553_128557_ENG_HTM.htm
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