Home > Members
> Calendar
> Socials
> Outreach
> Council
> Commissions
>>Administering
>>Evangelizing
>>Nurturing
>>Socializing
>>Stewarding
>>Worshipping
> Task Forces

Stewarding Commission

Stewarding Commission is concerned with the involvement of all members and friends of this congregation in the mission and ministry of the Church; identified and promotes the use of each person's gifts for ministry.

The goal of the Stewarding Commission is to involve all members in the mission and ministry of St. Stephen's. We stress the Biblical principle of giving of our time, our talents and our possessions in response to God's supreme gift of Jesus Christ and His love for us.

Our responsibilities include:

• collection of member's skills and interest forms
• dissemination of this information for service in the life and ministry of our congregation
• administration of financial stewarding in proportion to the blessings we receive

"...if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away...everything has become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

Christians should have a different outlook on life, including money and material possessions. They realize that they own nothing, that everything they have belongs to God, and that they are only managers and stewards of what God has entrusted to them. Because of that, Christians should have a different attitude towards "things."

That attitude demonstrates itself in many different ways. For example, Christians show mercy and give, in contrast to those who borrow and do not repay (Psalm 36:21). Christians should hold possessions with an open hand, and "refresh" others with their bounty (Proverbs 11:24-25). They are honest and demonstrate their faith by their work and integrity (1 Thes. 4;11-12). They give to those in need and thereby demonstrate to a watching world the love of God (1 John 3:17). When this kind of lifestyle is present in our lives, Jesus said that people will see our good works—our different attitude and perspective—and will glorify our heavenly Father (Matt. 5:16). And as we seek His kingdom first and foremost, we have His promise that He will provide what we need (Matt. 6:33). As others observe you and your lifestyle, do they see any difference because of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?"

As they observe your relationship to "things," especially to money, do they realize you are a manager, a steward, and not an owner? Or stated another way, is the manner in which you handle money and material possessions a testimony to your faith in Christ?

Simply Giving

We have in place, an electronic fund transfer program called "Simply Giving." This program allows you to make contributions to the church electronically. To learn more about this program, contact the Church office at the numbers below.

Applying Bible Principles

There are some wonderful principles in the Old Testament which apply to present-day Christians. One of these is in Deuteronomy 8:10-18. Stated in contemporary language, it says, "When you have eaten and are full, when your cars, houses and bank accounts multiply, don't forget where it came from: Remember the Lord your God."

In truth, all that we have comes from God. He determines what we will receive, whether it be money, gold, silver, houses, land, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc. It all belongs to Him in the first place, and He entrusts it to us. According to David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, riches, honor, power, and wealth all come from God.

That's why there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Oh, we have to do our part. God's plan is not that we just sit around praying and reading the Bible all day long so that what we need to survive will miraculously drop into our hands. We're not just to pray for "our daily bread," but we're also to get up each day and work for it! That's why the Apostle Paul stated clearly, "Anyone unwilling to work should not eat" (2 Thes. 3:10). But in reality, the amount of money and wealth which we receive is determined by God. According to His divine will and knowledge, He entrusts to each of us the amounts which He knows will be best for us.

What should be our reaction to our financial state? Some might pray, "Dear Lord, you must have made a mistake concerning me and my finances. Please give me more money." Others might try to circumvent God's design for their lives by trying to win the lottery or to obtain large sums of money through some other means. Mature Christians, however, will realize God's infinite wisdom far surpasses their limited perspective. They will accept with a thankful spirit what God has entrusted to them and seek to honor God by their living and by their giving.

© Kenneth L. Williams St. Stephen Lutheran - Pompano Beach, FL - Month #4

Help us help those in need as a result of The Recent Hurricanes. Find out how here.

Saturday Womens Group is assembling school kits for Lutheran World Relief. Items needed include pencil sharpeners, ruled notebooks or pads consisting of 150-200 sheets, pencils and 2 1/2 inch erasers. Please bring your contributions to the basket in the Narthex. Thank you and God bless.

Do you have something that belongs on our website? Contact the office at the numbers below (or via the information from the weekly bulletins) to have your content considered for publication.