Stewardship Survey Completed by Commission
Episcopal News Service. December 4, 1980 [80437]
San Antonio, Tex. -- "Tithing is alive and well in the Episcopal Church." That is one result of a grass roots survey recently undertaken under the auspices of the General Convention Standing Commission on Stewardship and development. The survey was conducted by the Rev. John MacNaughton of Christ Church here, and chairman of the Commission.
Believing that the best information comes from the most effective parishes, the Commission initiated the survey by inviting each diocesan bishop to recommend four or five parishes in his diocese which, in his opinion, were doing an effective stewardship job.
Fifty-nine bishops responded, identifying 262 parishes nationwide, a 64. 8 percent response. These were all contacted and asked to indicate, on no more than three typewritten pages, how they went about stewardship, how it was working, and how they felt about it. Responses were received from 74 parishes in 43 dioceses.
The results revealed the following nine major items:
- The theology of stewardship was strikingly similar. The foundation on which stew-ardship teaching universally stood is the Biblical teaching, "All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee. "
- Only three out of 74 replies used a pre-set budget. All others developed parish budgets following the canvass. A significant number emphasized parish goals in outreach and mission as stewardship motivators.
- Overwhelmingly, tithing is taught as the standard or minimum standard for Christians. The responses generally defined tithing as 10 percent of gross income. Proportionate giving was often encouraged as a way to work toward a tithe over several years.
- Many taught stewardship as a spiritual discipline, the use of money as a reflection of values and, thus, a reflection of spiritual health.
- Almost without exception, the clergy are actively involved in planning, leading, writing, preaching, and organizing in the stewardship program. Many acted in concert with parish committees but took an active role with the lay committee.
- A tight organization with clearly defined tasks to execute the fall every member canvass is common and seen as essential.
- Stewardship was clearly seen as a year-round task. The fall stewardship program for pledges is most effective in the context of a year-round stewardship teaching. In that connection, the vast majority of respondents handled the fall program for pledges with emphasis on that alone, waiving an emphasis on the stewardship of time and talent for other times in the year.
- A number of respondents spoke positively of experiences with their vestries in trying to work out a stewardship theology for the parish through vestry discussion. The leaders are willing to come to grips with the issues when challenged.
- Most respondents said, "As we ask, so we need as a parish to live, using parish buildings and financial resources to share with others." Stewardship is exercised by the parish corporately as an example in leadership to the members individually.
The full results of the survey can be obtained from the Rev. Henry J. Free, Stewardship Officer, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10017.