Introduction

Often thought of as involving only the raising of money, the true ministry of stewardship is helping believers become disciples of Jesus in the use of all the resources God has provided. This includes the management of one’s body, material possessions, abilities, and time. Jesus told the gathering in His Sermon on the Mount that, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21).

Duties of the Local Church Stewardship Leader

The responsibilities of the stewardship leader, whether the finance committee chairperson or stewardship secretary, are as follows:

1. Education. The most important part of the stewardship leader’s responsibilities is the systematic sharing of stewardship principles with church members. This involves the planning and implementation of a stewardship education program, assisting the pastor, planning and/or conducting stewardship classes, and tithe and offering education during worship. The leader will teach stewardship concepts during Sabbath School, in new member classes, during midweek meetings, and on other occasions.

2. Planning and budgeting. As a member of the church board, the stewardship leader should be knowledgeable concerning the overall plans of the church, and assist in helping to develop funding resources to achieve the local church growth strategy. He or she should also take a key role in the planning and budgeting process, either as general coordinator or an active participant. It is vital that church plans and the church budget be one connected whole, not two separate activities.

3. Finance committee meetings. The leader should chair or be an active member of the finance committee. They can give practical advice based on their knowledge of the congregation and can help to integrate the giving, spending, and total stewardship of money in the congregation.

4. Conference representatives. The stewardship leader represents the local conference in the development program of the sisterhood of churches, as well as any offerings that involve a wider sphere than that of the local church. The congregation will look to the stewardship leader for information, requiring answers to questions and honest reporting on the results of their giving to the world mission of the Adventist Church.

5. Analytics. The stewardship leader should be proficient in Microsoft Excel. A monthly analysis of the church finances will calculate income in terms of tithe, offerings, and other donations, as well as expenses in terms of ministry costs, wages, and overhead. This analysis will evaluate trends in the Church’s finances, such as income versus expenses, offering projections and year-over-year financial comparisons. An excel file will be provided to the stewardship leader to help them perform this analysis. The church treasurer should provide the monthly numbers that will serve as the basis for performing the monthly analysis.