Reviving Stewardship Transforming Stewards Erika F Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference

Biblical stewardship is misunderstood by many of our church members to mean “tithe and offerings” only. This misconception, and our constant focus on “giving” (calendar of offerings) has created the following problems:  Mistrust of church leaders and systems  Diversion of tithe and offerings by members to other persons & groups  Project giving replacing systematic giving  Resistance to stewardship by pastors and church members Stewardship Today

“Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God” Heart Tithes & Offerings Lordship of Christ Church Member God as Creator Program Pocket and Wallet ValuesBehavior Lifestyle BROAD VIEW NARROW VIEW

“Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind and with ALL your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NIV) “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 (NIV) Total and Full Commitment

JESUS IS LORD OF ALL

Human Life in Two Levels Surface Level Expressive Behavior Temporary Views Activities & Products Deep Level Peoples Worldview Core Beliefs Values and Principles S E E N N O T S E E N

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Matthew 23:27,28 (NIV) Jesus and the Two Levels

Surface level Expressive behavior Temporary views Programs & Products Deep level Peoples Worldview Core Beliefs Values and Principles Stewardship In Two Levels

Values Inform Behavior Surface Level Expressive Behavior Temporary Views Activities & Products Deep Level Peoples Worldview Core Beliefs Values and Principles S E E N N O T S E E N Lordship, Relationship, Worship, and Lifestyle Returning of Tithe and Giving of Offerings

Life Without Jesus Christ Surface Level Expressive Behavior Temporary Views Activities & Products Deep Level Peoples Worldview Core Beliefs Values and Principles S E E N Hoarding, Greed N O T S E E N Self (I/Me/You)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV) “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24,25 (NIV) Value Transformation

Life With Jesus Christ Surface Level Expressive Behavior Temporary Views Activities & Products Deep Level Peoples Worldview Core Beliefs Values and Principles S E E N Faithfulness, Sacrifice N O T S E E N Jesus Christ: Savior and Lord

Competing Values Jesus Christ Self Service Simplicity Sacrifice Surrender Submission Self-serving Self-indulgence Self-gratification Self-seeking Self-centeredness     

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:1,4 (NIV) The Relational Link

u Lordship of Jesus Christ u Lifestyle of daily submission u Living the will of God u Life time partnership with God u Personal relationship with Jesus u Servant leadership in community u Commitment to spirituality u Care and service to the poor u Devotion and worship of God u Involvement in discipleship Stewardship Values

What are your values? PerishableInfinite Self-centeredChrist-centered Self-control Long-termShort-term SpiritBody Spirit-controlled SECULARSPIRITUAL

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies [total self] as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship be transformed by the renewing of your mind [heart]. Romans12:1-2 (NIV) Transforming Stewardship

Stewardship is the breaking in of the rule of Jesus Christ into the deep level of our human culture and experience, and transforming our belief systems into His kingdom values Values Behaviour Gospel

Department Contact Larry Evans-Associate Director Mario Nino - Associate Director Erika Puni- Director Website: