Stewardship Development

Picture an Internet banner waving across the computer screen: "Stewardship is a family value." That would be a jolt! We hear a lot about "family values" these days, but the "S" word is probably not high on any of the lists of topics for discussion.

"Dad, can I have some money to go shopping?" Or even closer to the guilt button: "Mom, you promised you wouldn't work this Saturday so we can go to a movie!"

Each and every time we make a decision about the way we will spend our time, our money, our very selves, we carry out roles as stewards in ways that reflect our values and where we put our faith. What day of the week does that not happen?

Even if we don't name the word, stewardship decisions are inherent in everything we do together as families. If stewardship issues are at the very core of family life, how might congregations enable families to identify their stewardship questions and live into their roles as Christian stewards?

When my first daughter was small, I had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom for several years. During that time, my friends and I got together at one of our homes one evening a month, while our partners got their solo parenting time with the kids. After my second daughter arrived, I was back to work and too exhausted to think about organizing, let alone hosting, those evenings of connecting with friends. How I would have loved it if our church had offered babysitting for a small group time for both parents to share exploring parenting together!

If a church were to do that, the strange outcome is that it would turn out to be the best stewardship program that church ever had! A small group experience that offers new parents-whether in traditional or non-traditional families-a sense of community is good stewardship of resources.

It would also be an excellent opportunity for exploring those sticky, spiritual stewardship questions informally or in structured discussions, using any of a number of excellent books as resources.

In her booklet Children and Money: A Guide for Parents, Carol Wehrheim outlines steps that parents can take to encourage generosity in children at various ages. She suggests that these begin at birth, in the warmth of a nurturing relationship.

As a child develops language skills, some of the first words learned are words of gratitude, an attitude foundational to Christian stewardship. The "terrible twos" often don't materialize in toddlers who hear "thank you" more often than "NO!" The speech we model during those very first months sets the tone for a life of gratitude and generosity.

Children as young as two or three can even learn to say a simple grace, a "Thank you, God, for this food" prayer before meals. Keep it simple and consistent initially. Praying together at mealtime will become part of your family tradition. That's stewardship? Yes, that's stewardship!

Wehrheim continues with ideas for nurturing the human tendency toward generosity right through the preteen years. True to the title of her booklet, her stewardship discussion focuses on learning responsibility in spending and giving money. She also introduces the implications of family choices about lifestyle, inviting daily evaluation of our lives as Christian stewards.

The next time your church asks for volunteers for the stewardship committee, get involved! Your suggestion of providing babysitters to give new parents the opportunity to meet for a small study group about Christian discipleship might revolutionize your church's understanding of stewardship as a family issue.

Carol Wehrheim's booklet is available from UCRD.

Barbara Fullerton, Stewardship Development Officer