Chris Harris
Director Membership & Development
What is Stewardship?
I am sometimes asked whether “stewardship†is just the church’s word for fundraising. The answer is of course no, but it raises an important distinction. Stewardship comes from an old English word, steward, which referred to someone who took care of the property or finances of another.
So for Christians, “Stewardship†is really about how we care for the gifts we have received from God. It means taking care of our environment, of other people and of ourselves. Stewardship is also the wise and faithful use of our resources – our time, talents and treasure. Stewardship is also about community – everybody belonging to this wonderful St. Paul’s Family. It’s a kind of personal thanksgiving to God for all the gifts He has given us.
As you may recall, each spring we focus on Time & Talent – how we give back to God through service to others. During the fall stewardship effort, we focus on “treasure,†or committing to financially support God’s work at St. Paul’s through pledging financial resources as each of us might be called.
Of course, as with many things that relate to our spiritual journey, there is no one answer or one way to approach stewardship. I hope that this brochure helps to further your formation around stewardship and answer questions you might have about our Annual Pledge campaign.
And of course, feel free to call or email me anytime.
Chris Harris
Director Membership & Development
619-298-7261 x334
harrisc@stpaulcathedral.org