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BY RODNEY SMOTHERS

As I travel around our conference; the single most frequent 'elephant in the room,' is a concern about the finances, or lack of, in our churches.

Most discussions, rather than focusing on the local church?s efforts in evangelism, missions, and outreach, are connected to a perceived notion that 'if the conference would just help us out financially we could do ministry.'

In actuality, nothing is further from the truth.

Churches that become dependent on outside funding to support their ministries over a period of time develop a crippling entitlement mentality that severely affects the stewardship of their ministries.

Healthy, vital and growing ministries have several common characteristics; among them is a healthy system of stewardship. Generous, committed giving in the life of the church is cultivated through a regular diet of education, motivation and implementation of relevant ministries that people desire to support with their time, talents, gifts and service.

Grants, scholarships and other outside funding do have their place, but not as the primary source of financial support in any ministry.

Even new church developments should begin with a parenting congregation that launches new church with an understanding that the new church?s support should be factored into the budget of the sponsoring ministry in the beginning stages of the new church development.

Moving from an entitlement mindset to an enabling mindset requires a strong biblical understanding of God?s provision, a clear and compelling vision for ministry and mission, and a well organized and well executed funding program in the life of local churches.

There are three resources that I have found to be very helpful in educating our leaders in sound stewardship principles.

'Developing A Giving Church' by Stan Toler and Elmer Towns is one of the finest books on effective stewardship ever written. Full of practical, proven insights, this is a must-have resource for pastors and others whose ministry in the church involves funding ministries.

A second resource, 'The Generosity Factor: Discovering the Joy of Giving Your Time, Talents, and Treasure' by Ken Blanchard and S. Truett Cathy, really speaks to the issue of gratitude and its impact on creating generous givers.

A third resource is 'The Big Idea: Focus Your Message and Multiply the Impact' by Dave Ferguson. While this resource is not strictly about stewardship, it is recommended because it teaches effective communication skills. I?m convinced that 70 percent of our failure to produce sufficient funding in our churches is not about dollars and cents, but about our failure to communicate a clear and compelling vision that people want to support generously.

Biblical stewardship is an act of worship. To create a giving environment we must acknowledge God as owner of all things, and generous giving brings glory to God. The act of giving is just another way that we express our love, adoration and gratitude to God.

Casting a compelling vision for giving begins with a strong biblical foundation. 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it' (Malachi 3:10).

As Bill Hybels, Founding Pastor of Willow Creek, once said, 'The tithe is a wonderful goal but a terrible place to stop.'

We all can become generous givers by practicing three principles found in Scripture:
? God deserves our best. 'Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.' (Proverbs 3:9)
? God will get my best each week. 'On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money (for the offering).'
(1 Corinthians 16:2a)
? God will be glorified through my gifts. 'Always giving thanks to God for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
(Ephesians 5:20)

In addition to funding our ministries through weekly giving another very important act of stewardship is establishing endowment giving.

Rev. Melvin Amerson in his recent book, 'Stewardship in African-American Church: A New Paradigm,' encourages us to 'leave a legacy.' Amerson reminds us that the resources we leave behind through our estate giving provide on-going resources to our ministries for generations yet to come.

When it?s all said and done generosity is an attitude, it?s a mindset, it?s a lifestyle. Join the revolution of generous giving that is making Acts 2 congregation?s vital places for effective ministry.

The Rev. Rodney Thomas Smothers serves as an Adventure Gbwc_superusere in the Annapolis-Southern Region and serves in the area of New Church Development for the Baltimore-Washington Conference.