A colleague recently asked me, "What do church leaders believe is their greatest area of stewardship need?" The answer is easy. Most church leaders perceive that the greatest area of stewardship need is the need for MONEY. They need more of it, and they need it quickly! From local church volunteers to denominational office staff, church leaders are concerned, if not fearful, about the bottom line impact of the economic recession on their corporate balance sheet, not to mention their personal wallet. The economy has necessarily impacted decisions across the Church. Staff restructuring, modified long range plans, budget deficits, and internal tension are all visible symptoms of these decisions.

A superficial glance may lead one to determine that more money would alleviate the symptoms and provide stability for the Church. I do not believe that more money solely will solve their dilemma. The Church has lacked some signs of stability for decades. Declining membership has riddled many denominations. According to Giving USA, giving to religion, as a share of overall charitable giving, has fallen over several decades from greater than half to nearly one-third today. Signs of mainline church decline did not suddenly begin with the economic recession. Nonetheless, the recession has accelerated the organizational life span of some churches. It also has apparently forced some growing, vibrant churches to scale back staff and various ministries. Yet, many churches are continuing to expand their ministry and to do more rather than less during these challenging times.

While I often begin a consultation with church leaders’ perception that more money is the answer, I work hard to reframe their assumptions and lead them to different conclusions. First, I begin by reminding church leaders about the Gospel message of hope. I invite them to revisit the Good News of Jesus Christ. It might seem simplistic, but this Gospel message separates us from all other fundraisers. It provides reassurance during difficult times. We are bombarded daily with despairing messages and gloomy forecasts. It is easy to be swept up in that momentum. As a result, more and more church leaders are operating out of fear, rather than out of hope. We cannot base all of our decisions upon fear. Our faith does not lead us to fearful conclusions, rather to hopeful expectations. The story of Jesus does not end with His suffering and death. It concludes with the promise of resurrection and new life. As Easter people, we are called to begin with this premise of hope.

Second, we must recognize God’s blessings in our own community. We are challenged to celebrate our strengths as a church. Focusing on our strengths allows hope to be a part of the conversation. These gifts help us fulfill our purpose, our mission, and our vision. I recall Vance P. Ross often praying a benediction with words to the effect, "Recognize that God has blessed you. God did not bless you for you to keep that blessing to yourself. Share it with others! Be a blessing to others!" The Church has an opportunity to be a blessing to others today more than ever. A clearly stated purpose, mission, and vision motivate people to give. Taking measurable steps to achieve that purpose, mission, and vision will change people’s lives. The witness of those changed lives lead people to be generous.

Third, financial generosity is just one aspect of a Christian steward. Stewardship is part of living as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Cultivating stewards is a year-round ministry leading to an ever-expanding Christian movement of generosity. It is essential to implement specific, practical plans that create effective year-round stewardship.

Is God calling you to help alter the cultural myth that more money will solve all of our problems? If so, your actions may encourage other church leaders to:

Preach the Good News
Offer God’s blessing to others
Focus on the Church’s purpose, mission, and vision
Practice holistic, year-round stewardship

In so doing, the Church may experience a wealth of revitalization, growth, renewal, and generosity. This wealth is my hopeful expectation. I invite it to be your hopeful expectation, too!