Charles Lane begins his book, Ask, Thank, Tell, with two "mission statements" of a congregations stewardship ministry.  Does your mission statement reflect number one: 

• The goal of our stewardship ministry is to raise enough money to pay the bills next year.

 Or number two: 

• The goal of our stewards ministry is to help God's people grow in their relationship with Jesus.      

Observations: 

• The VAST majority of discussion I have heard about money and giving at the presbytery in the last eight years has reflected mission statement number one.
• The conversation in my own church has a split personality...mission statement number two in sermons and publications, mission statement number one in committees and reports.
• People who are operating out of mission statement number two seem frightened and angry.

Lane makes two pertinent points about this issue.  First he says the church of Jesus Christ has been kidnapped by proponents of mission statement number one.  Second he reminds us that Jesus taught a financial stewardship focused on mission statement number two, speaking never about the church's need for money...speaking only about the giver's need to give (as a response to living in relationship with God.)

To quote Lane again:
If a believer gives to the institution so that others can do ministry and the congregation can keep going, then that person has a major roadblock in the way of a stronger relationship with Jesus.  On the other hand, if that same believer can begin to understand that giving is an act of faith, growing out of a relationship with Jesus, and if that giving can grow toward the tithe, then that believer has taken a huge step toward having stewardship at the heart of his or her relationship with Jesus. (p. 17)


Today's challenge (and I think there will be many more...many, many, more...)
How are we thinking of stewardship and how should we be?  How can we take "one step further" in reclaiming our discipleship, following the way Jesus taught us to live?