I sent a final stewardship letter to the parish last week. This was the last of four. My goal has been to shift parishioner understanding of stewardship from mere “fundraising,” to responsibility taking in the Kingdom of God.

It is really very simple. A covenant partner with God takes responsibility for conditions in the world that fall short of God’s creative intent.

When I live under the mistaken belief that God exists to serve me, my prayer is, “Lord, help me!” I live as a perpetual victim that needs constant care.

When I live as a faithful steward I exist to serve God and my prayer is, “Lord, lead me!” I live as a person who knows the power of God at work in and through me.

Here’s the choice: A church of victims? A church of empowered people?

My choice is to be a church of empowered people. Sure, people may walk in the church a victim. But when we get faith right, they walk out of the church people of power.

I had coffee today with a parishioner who asked how the Season of Stewardship was going.

“You must be under a lot of stress,” he said.

“Not at all. Why would I be under a lot of stress?”

“Well, aren’t you concerned about the results of the Stewardship campaign?”

“Nah, I’m not concerned. People will hand in their Commitment Cards on Sunday and it will indicate the health of the parish. More faith always means a greater capacity for commitment --a greater Response Ability. Less faith means less commitment.”

It was a good conversation. We talked about a lot more than just the Season of Stewardship. But the stewardship talk helped me clarify why I relish this theme so much – why I find such value in the process.

When I call for an intentional, public commitment from the parish, I am a doctor testing the vital signs of my patient:

Temperature, good. Lungs, clear. Blood pressure, a little high. Weight? We need to talk about that. Let’s see, cholesterol level, uh-oh.

So tell me about your diet?

. . . .

Uh-huh. You like ice cream, do you?

. . . .

A couple donuts with your mid-morning coffee helps you stay focused at work.

Uh-huh

. . . .

Nothing like a couple beers and a big plate of Nachos watching the game on the weekend?

. . . .

So how much exercise do you get each week?

. . . .

I understand. . .no time, uh-huh. Other priorities I bet?

. . . .

Okay then. I have just one more question for you.

????

Tell about your life insurance policy. You have it paid it up I hope?

When I call for a public expression of real commitment from the parish, I am taking the pulse of the church. As the Rector of the parish I’m not stressed. I’m interested and engaged.

I need to know if the parish I lead is ready to climb K2. Or if it needs a heart-transplant before we risk even a first step out the door of the hospital into the Kingdom of God.