STEWARDSHIP

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STEWARDSHIP

• A Disciples Response

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• The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden
  in a field
• which someone has found he hides it again, goes
  off in joy, sells
• everything he owns and buys the field.
• Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant
  looking for fine
• pearls when he finds one of great value he goes
  and sells everything
• he owns and buys it.
• Matt.1644-46

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Why Stewardship?

• Responses to Growing Together in Christ
• We are a gifted community
• God is the giver
• Duty and desire to use those gifts
• Diocese to be characterised by use of gifts

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What is Stewardship?

• Recognition of gifts
• Time
• Talent
• Treasure
• Thanksgiving an attitude of gratitude
• Following Christ -gt Sacrificial Giving
• Called to be Stewards

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Characteristics of Stewards

• Gratitude
• Responsibility
• Openness and generosity
• Willingness to give back with increase

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Stewardship Parishes

• Warmth and hospitality
• Scripture and Prayer
• Commitment and Recommitment
• Leadership
• Outreach and Mission
• Accountability
• True Collaboration

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What are we going to do?

• Experiences of other diocese and other Christian
  communities
• Need to focus on Time and Talent
• Parish growth
• Increased resources more Time, more Talent and
  more Treasure
• Diocesan Stewardship Programme
• Pilot Parishes
• Preparations start in September 2005
• Programme begins in January 2006
• Roll-out across diocese in Autumn 2006

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A Call to each Disciple

• As we have grown together in Christ over these
  last months and years, we have come to appreciate
  just how many gifts God has given us all.
  Stewardship is a recognition by the whole Diocese
  of the need to celebrate these gifts in ourselves
  and in others, to acknowledge that God has given
  them to us in order that we may go out and bear
  fruit.
• Bishop Crispian

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• The promotion of the practice of stewardship is
  important for the mission of the Church and for
  the spiritual well-being of each individual
  Christian. Everyone benefits from the sacrificial
  gift one makes of his time, talent and treasure.
• Pope Benedict XVI