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In 1 Corinthians 12 St. Paul wrote about what it means to be part of the body of Christ. He underscored such truths as these: " There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit who gives to each member of the body of Christ gifts as he determines. The body is a unit though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” And then Paul summarized the Holy Spirit's words by writing: " Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Some new resources developed to help share these truths with members have been posted on the DCS-Stewardship Ministry Web site (www.lcms.org/stewardship). They are described in this quarterly update. "We're in this together and the banner over us is love” Four Bible studies, two sets of sermon notes and a faith promise (pledge) sample form are posted on the Web site under the heading of "Stewardship Emphasis 2006. They are all free for downloading and use. Four Bible Studies The four Bible studies examine a number of "C's” that relate to congregational stewardship. Bible Study One: Corporate Stewardship Bible Study Three: Compassion, Community, Challenge and Commitment Bible Study Two: Church Culture and Climate Bible Study Four: Consistency and Celebration Two Sets of Sermon Notes Sermon Week One: " We're in this together” based on selected verses from 1 Corinthians 12 Sermon Week Two: " The banner over us is love” based on 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Faith Promise Form The Faith Promise Form helps members to consider what they can do, in addition to financial support, to help their congregation improve its mission and ministry. There is also a tie-in to the Ablaze! movement as members are encouraged to write down the name of at least one person (presently uncommitted or unconnected to Jesus) they know with whom they plan to share their faith and hope in Jesus. You may customize the resources with the name of your congregation and other information that will make it " yours.” Biblical Stewardship Principles Leader's Notes A new set of Leader's Notes for studying the eight LCMS Biblical Stewardship Principles has been posted on the DCS-Stewardship Ministry Web site under the heading of " Biblical Stewardship Principles.” The Leader's Notes include 20 pages of background information and discussion starters for doing a study of the principles. On that same site you can find a variety of versions of the principles including some for early childhood and middle elementary levels. The principles have also been translated into French, Portuguese and Spanish. PowerPoint Presentations Two new PowerPoint presentations have been posted on the DCS-Stewardship Ministry Web site for free downloading and use. You may also customize them for use with your congregation or group. One of the presentations is an introduction to the Biblical Stewardship Principles; the other is a presentation developed to help God's people connect money and mission in an appropriate way. The Biblical Stewardship Principles' Leader's Notes serve as a guide for the first presentation; a separate discussion guide for the " Connecting Money and Mission” presentation is posted on the Web site. Bulletin Sentences and Newsletter Articles The DCS-Stewardship Ministry Web site also features free bulletin sentences and newsletter articles. The bulletin sentences are based on one of the three assigned Scripture readings for each Sunday. The newsletter articles are tied in with the calendar and church year seasons. Back issues of the bulletin sentences and newsletter articles are archived on the site. For Sale Stewardship Resources About 200 different resources (Bible studies, tracts, videos, etc.) are featured on the Web site under the heading of " Resources for Stewardship.” You can also go to www.stewardshipadvisors.org for a catalog of resources such as Bible studies, trifolds, annual emphases, and other topical items. |
A STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: The fourth of the eight LCMS Biblical Stewardship Principles states that "God's stewards are uniquely singular, yet profoundly plural. That's a fancy way of saying that when it comes to stewardship we are in this together. The meaning to the principle says it very well: "God's stewards recognize that their lives are not solo performances but are personal responses to God, lived out within the community of faith to benefit the whole world.”