Church Leaders Asked to Be Model Stewards
Episcopal News Service. July 14, 1988 [88153]
NEW YORK (DPS, July 14) -- Episcopal Church leaders are being asked to "put their money where their mouth is" and to sign on the dotted line.
The 69th General Convention passed a resolution, which asks bishops and deputies to affirm that they are tithing or will tithe within the next three years by having their names published in the 1988 edition of the Journal of the General Convention.
In 1982, General Convention set the tithe as the minimum standard of giving for all Episcopalians.
Convention also adopted a statement declaring that stewardship "is a challenge to refocus our lives" and is the "main work of the Church."
In approving the 400-word statement entitled "Stewardship is the Main Work of the Church," the Convention called upon diocesan stewardship committees to publish the document and invited "study and discussion at diocesan and congregational levels."
The statement says that stewardship is more than church support. It means involving people in "using all that is entrusted to them" in carrying out the Church's mission. "Stewardship" also means using "'the gifts given to us to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world.' Therefore, the way we use or do not use resources to further unity and reconciliation in our homes, our communities, and our occupations is our stewardship."
In related actions, Convention approved the following:
- Publish "1987 Tithing Survey" as broadly as possible as diocesan model for discussion and action.
- Affirm the stewardship of time and talent as well as money.
- Encourage "50-50 giving."
- Encourage each household to make a financial pledge.
- Make stewardship an integral part of seminary life.