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What Is a Steward?

As the month of July arrives, we as a community of faithful complete the first half of the 2008 Stewardship Year. During July, all Stewards who have pledged to make contributions will receive a statement in order to review the details of their financial donations.

These Stewards of the Church of Saint Sophia, in one sense, have agreed to manage the property of another. The other in this instance is God. Every Steward is a contemporary disciple of Christ because each has voluntarily pledged a financial gift as a token of the love they hold for their God. This promise is a pledge of honor showing faith and loyalty.

Just as the apostles were called by Christ and told to go forth and "make disciples of all nations", so do all the Stewards continue to carry out the will of Christ by ensuring that the physical building of the church will be here and open for worship, baptisms, baby blessings, marriages, funerals, and memorial services.

If you think about it, anyone who has accepted the request to become a Godparent is becoming a Steward for the spiritual life of the infant. The godparent makes a pledge to God to join the baby to Christ and to show the child how "to believe in Christ" which are words in the Orthodox service of Baptism. This is a very serious promise and actually entwines the Godparent and child for life.

Stewardship at all levels is a serious commitment of loyalty, devotion, and obligation. Christ expects that we will shoulder our pledges with joy and love for him. Some have answered his call; others are waiting to make the decision as to whether or not they are willing to become devoted to his church, Saint Sophia, by helping to keep the church as a living community for worship.

As Financial Secretary, I ask no more of you than I ask of myself and my family. My family has made a commitment to make weekly donations using the Pledge Envelopes from the time we joined the community of Saint Sophia. My family’s goal over time has been to increase our pledge every year by whatever amount we are able to afford as long as we are able to do so.

Churches need financial contributions to survive because National Grid, Verizon, the United States Postal Services, private contractors, and others who charge us for services and the products we use do not provide these for free. Yes, we have salaried church employees who should be paid on time just as any of us who work expect to see our paychecks when promised.

Orthodox Christians who come to worship at Saint Sophia are called by Christ "to join the church", to believe in Christ", and honorably accept the obligations of financial management of their Christian community.

Everyone is grateful to the many Stewards who have answered the invitation of Christ and joyously given to the Church so that it is open for all. For those who have not yet made a 2008 pledge, please consider what you are able to give and fill out a Pledge card. Some give more and others give less; God waits for you to give what you are able to afford.

An American essayist and philosopher born in 1803, Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote:

Has a man gained anything who received
a hundred favors and rendered none?
He is great who confers the most benefits.
(Essay on Compensation)
God has favored Christians with eternal life. Becoming Stewards for our God, we confer enormous benefits to this generation and the next ones.