For the past three days I have had the privilege of being part of a gathering of 400 people from around the ELCA who are seriously Rethinking Stewardship. We've been working together to consider some very provocative - and difficult - questions. Together with teaching theologians, experts on societal trends, pastors, lay people, and stewardship leaders in our church, we have had four extended conversations

· Rethinking Our Culture

· Rethinking Our Theology

· Rethinking Our Practices

· Rethinking Stewardship

American Christians, the richest in history, are surprisingly reluctant to part with their money. What are the limiting forces at work? How do we overcome them to reframe all of life as God's gift? How do we move from a "pay the bills" outlook to a "live the vision" mentality? What new thought habits are required? Given cultural changes and our theological commitments, how shall we now lead?

What are some of the things we have learned? For one thing, there is vast potential for increased giving to our congregations: Lutherans contribute 1.7% of their family income to the church. However, giving generously runs up against powerful counter-impulses from our culture, such as "your money is yours and yours alone." In addition, people are more excited about supporting causes and movements than they are about contributing to organizations and institutions.

We have been reminded that, for many, stewardship is something that we do, but for Lutherans our concern is more appropriately how to be stewards, or caretakers, of God's gifts. As a missional church, are we a community of stewards, or a collection of owners? Our possessions have the power to enthrall; we become possessed by our possessions, and they become the idols we worship. What is at stake in stewardship is the nature of God and our relationship with the Creator.

Are there answers to these many questions? Some directions, at least, are beginning to emerge. We can consider expanding our vision of the relationship between stewardship and mission, affirming that everything belongs to God, including the mission of the church. We can explore a shift in focus: from faithful giving to faithful living; from talking about responsibility to talking about the privilege of belonging to God; from duty to delight.

There are many more conversations that need to take place, some of them here in our congregations and in our Sierra Pacific Synod. I invite you to join with me and others to rethink stewardship here in our context. I would like to hear what you are thinking and come together to explore new possibilities with you.

Gratefully,

Pastor Jim Goldsmith

Director for Mission Support