STEWARDSHIP IN A CHANGING WORLD Erika F Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference

GIVING TO THE LORD 3 For I testify that they (Macedonian churches) gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 (NIV)

Real stewardship and giving starts with the giving of one’s total self first to God.

“The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to make disciples of all people, communicating the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Savior and unite with His remnant church, discipling them to serve Him as Lord, and preparing them for His soon return.” GC Policy Book 2009/10:29 SDA MISSION STATEMENT

1. The world in which the Seventh-day Adventist Church was born into has changed, and it continues to change. REALITIES

2. For the SDA Church to be relevant and connect with people’s hearts today, it must adapt the way it does ministry (including stewardship) in the world. REALITIES

3. Biblical stewardship is the total commitment of the heart to God including the returning of the Lord’s tithe and the giving of free-will offerings. REALITIES

4. Stewardship is the spiritual responsibility of every believer; and it is the work of every department with Stewardship Ministries emphasizing, promoting, and teaching “financial stewardship.” REALITIES

Spend & Enjoy RuralUrban Slash & Burn Conserve Life Predictable Save & Invest Global Economy Local Economies Life Uncertain 21 ST CENTURY 20 TH CENTURY GLOBAL SHIFT

SDA CHURCH SHIFT Maintenance NAD Based World Based Slow Growth Fast Growth Fixed Structure Mission Many Members Few Members Flexible Systems PRESENTPAST

SDA GIVING SHIFT All Levels Benefit Offering Calendar Combined Plan Many Offerings One Pool Program Driven GC Benefit SimpleComplicated Worship Driven NEWOLD

STEWARDSHIP SHIFT Disciples RemunerationRestoration Fund Raising Faith Building Finances Development PeopleMoney Spirituality MINISTRYDEPARTMENT

FOCUS SHIFT Heart Tithe & Offerings Lordship of Jesus Church Member God as Owner Program Pocket & Wallet ValuesBehavior Lifestyle BROADNARROW

Local Church Pastor Offering Systems Information & Communication Strategy Stewardship Education Stewardship Strategy

Stewardship Initiatives 1.Development of a stewardship curriculum for theological training (EDU). 2.Partnership in stewardship education programs for field pastors (MIN). 3.Revision and upgrade of stewardship education certification for stewardship personnel (SS/PM).

4.Development of a family budgeting and financial management seminar (FM). 5.Development of a personal budgeting and financial course for youth (YOU). 6.Development of a visual stewardship education package for children (CHM). Stewardship Initiatives

STEWARD Servant of Jesus Servant of Jesus Lives Jesus’ Lordship Lives Jesus’ Lordship Worships the Creator Worships the Creator Led by God’s Spirit Led by God’s Spirit Gives life to Jesus Gives life to Jesus Loves people sincerely Loves people sincerely Cares for the planet Cares for the planet Uses gifts in ministry Uses gifts in ministry Committed to mission Committed to missionDISCIPLE Follower of Jesus Follower of Jesus Lives the life of Jesus Lives the life of Jesus Worships Redeemer Worships Redeemer Led by the Holy Spirit Led by the Holy Spirit Submit all to Jesus Submit all to Jesus Loves other disciples Loves other disciples Cares for environment Cares for environment Serves in ministries Serves in ministries Make new disciples Make new disciples Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God

1. Wholistic stewardship affirms the place of God and the Bible in Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. CONCLUSION

2. Approaching stewardship as a “spiritual matter” and a way of life is consistent with the GC session (2010) action to include “ministries” in the department’s name, the mission statement of the Church, and the leadership’s emphasis on “revival and reformation.” CONCLUSION

3. The “broad” approach is consistent with the way Christian stewardship is expressed in fundamental twenty-one (21), and it includes tithe and offerings. CONCLUSION

4. Stewardship is an on-going tool in the Church’s initiative of “Tell the World” and its emphasis on Reach Up, Reach Out, and Reach Across. CONCLUSION