Orthodox Stewardship A Presentation Based on Stewardship a

Orthodox Stewardship A Presentation Based on “Stewardship: a Way of Life” Resource One articles by, Father Frederick Watson and Father Basil Aden

Stewardship is a biblical word. The Church Fathers, especially St. John Chrysostom, used it to mean “almsgiving. ” It is a word that has been misunderstood in our modern era.

We Orthodox Christians usually hear about stewardship when it is related to money: *Dues *Fund Raising Drive *Special financial program *Sermons are about giving *Stewardship = money Stewardship is more than these It does not tell the whole story of what Christian Stewardship is all about.

Stewardship as a Way of Life

St. Peter wrote that every Christian is charged to "be a good steward of God's grace. " (I Peter 4: 10) St. Ignatius of Antioch told the faithful that they were "stewards in God's house, members of His household, and His servants. " (Epistle to Polycarp, 99)

We have nothing of our own. All that we have we borrow from God. Stewardship is enshrined in our Divine Liturgy. “We offer unto Yours of Your own, in behalf of all, and for all. “ It is giving back in thanksgiving

Bad Stewardship: • Pollution • pornography • waste • servitude • apathy • abortion • environmental destruction

St. John Chrysostom 180 Degree Turn Around ? Repentance Motivation for Stewardship

Personal Stewardship Personal Responsibility Growing more Christ Like

Stewardship Grows From our Spiritual Practice *Prayer *Fasting *Eucharist *Stewardship We become Christ Like

Fruit of Good Stewardship *Joy *Love *Caring *Compassion

Rewards of Stewardship *Life *Salvation *God’s Love *God with us Already Bestowed Stewardship is Thanksgiving Instead of Reward.

Two basic principles for stewardship in the Orthodox Church. First- Orthodoxy is a way of life. Second- Worship is the defining role in this way of life.

What happens when we think of giving in terms of worship? Concern Shifts New reference, context, motive, and purpose. IT IS OFFERING

First Fruit And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.

Our Stewardship Becomes Holy

Our Jobs Should Be Holy

Our Family Life Should Be Holy

Our Teaching and Learning Should Be Holy

From Personal Stewardship To Our Parish Community Stewardship

Our Community Life and Service Should Be Holy

Our Church Life Should Be Holy

A Living Sacrifice To God

Sample opinions for motivation of Orthodox stewardship

Most Urgent Need For Growth Was Money

More adult education More outreach to the wider community

Thank You ACROD Stewardship Commission For more thoughts and information, see ‘Stewardship: a Way of Life: Resource One’. www. acrod. org- Stewardship

Bibliography Watson, Father Fredrick, chairman, Aden, Father Basil, Hall, Father Deacon Stephen, Bilanin, John, “Stewardship: a Way of Life. ” A publication of the Diocesan Stewardship Commission, American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese. 2010. Krindatch, "The Realities of Orthodox Parish Life in the Western United States: Ten 'Simple' Answers to Ten 'Not Too Easy' Questions, "