What is Stewardship?
What is a Stewardship Commitment?
Why is Stewardship Commitment necessary in our parish?
How is the church currently supported financially?
Is the Stewardship Commitment mandatory for all parishioners?
How is the Stewardship Commitment going to be implemented in our parish?
If my Commitment is based on a yearly giving of a set amount of money, is it possible to divide that amount over several months?
I have heard that some non-Orthodox denominations such as Protestants support their Church by giving 10% of their monthly/yearly income. Do I have to do the same for my Church?
What will happen if I am unable to fulfil my financial commitment due to job loss, sickness or any other unforeseen circumstance?
What if I do not have access to the internet or online banking, how can I submit my commitment form and payments?
Who is included in my Stewardship Commitment?
How can I decide how much to give to the Church?
If I give to my Church for example, $2000 a year and do not participate in any other parish activities or sacramental life of the Church, can I still be considered as a Steward in good standing?
What is the deadline for me to submit my Stewardship Commitment form?
Who is eligible to attend the Annual Assembly meeting?
What does the Bible say about financial support of the Church?
What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is, first of all, a Christian life-style in the Church. Additionally, it is a practical approach of a total and proportional commitment of time, talents and treasures, through which an individual (parishioner) or the entire family supports their local parish.
What is a Stewardship Commitment?
A Stewardship Commitment is a method that replaces the former practice of the Church’s (parish) support through the minimal-yearly membership dues principle. It has been proven that the former method has not been successful in meeting parish obligations. Through the Stewardship Commitment method every parishioner can actively participate in the support of the parish according to his/her abilities. The financial support of the parish in this case falls into the hands of every parishioner (Steward) who by his/her conscience continually invests their time, talents and treasures in the life of their parish.
Why is Stewardship Commitment necessary in our parish?
The former practice of the parish support through the yearly membership dues did not produce successful results. The money that was collected from the yearly dues was not enough for the parish to properly function. It was based on a simple math formula (number of paid members multiplied by the amount of yearly dues is equal to the amount of money collected from the membership) that showed inability to move forward in the parish planning process.
How is the church currently supported financially?
In addition to membership dues, the church is also supported financially from the celebrations of church Slava, Pascha and Bozic offerings, church picnics, fundraisers throughout the year, the sale of candles, Sunday collection plate offerings, and supplemental revenue from the hall. Due to fluctuating economic conditions, revenues from the hall have been steadily decreasing. The church should be a self sustaining entity and should not have to rely on the supplemental income from the hall. A parish cannot function normally if the parish budget is not thoroughly planned in advance.
Is the Stewardship Commitment mandatory for all parishioners?
Not at all. Nothing in the life of the Church can be forceful, under pressure and obligation. God gives us an opportunity to do everything according to our free will and conscience but it is up to us to decide which road will we take. Jesus Christ did not say: You have to follow me, but “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Of course, if we would have more patience and more responsible Stewards who could take good care of their church, it would be easier to reach a desired goal.
How is the Stewardship Commitment going to be implemented in our parish?
The Stewardship Commitment is formed on a principle of voluntary, proportional and regular investment of time, talents and treasures in the parish. It should be noted however, that the financial aspect of the parish support is not based only on a yearly commitment that a parishioner makes toward their Church. Rather, it is a life-long commitment that a Steward of the parish makes toward their Church. Through this commitment a parishioner shows that he is indeed a child of God, a Steward of the God-given blessings which God bestows upon us daily. Stewardship in this way becomes an unending gratitude to God and serves as a sign of small thanks to Him for all the things that already belong to Him. Everything comes from God-everything should be returned to Him!
If my Commitment is based on a yearly giving of a set amount of money, is it possible to divide that amount over several months?
Looking at the Commitment form, we can see that it is possible for you to fulfil your commitment in various ways: weekly, monthly, and quarterly.
I have heard that some non-Orthodox denominations such as Protestants support their Church by giving 10% of their monthly/yearly income. Do I have to do the same for my Church?
That principle is based on the old Hebrew custom of tithing or giving “tenths” of all what they possess. However, not all people are able to put aside 10% of their monthly or yearly income. We have to understand that the Stewardship Commitment which a parishioner makes to their Church does not oblige them to a specific number of ten, seven, five, three or two percents. Everything should be based on a voluntary commitment. It is important to remember that God is not concerned with ‘how much was given,’ but ‘how it was given.’ In other words, does a person give out of abundance (surplus) as the Pharisees did, or do they give all what they have, as the poor widower who put the last two coins in the basket? (Luke 21:1-4) As we all know, the Pharisees gave out of pride and the poor widower gave out of the goodness of her heart and without distress.
What will happen if I am unable to fulfil my financial commitment due to job loss, sickness or any other unforeseen circumstance?
Nothing will happen. The Church is the living organism that breathes by the Holy Spirit and shelters all her children who seek salvation within the Church. It may happen sometimes that a Steward of a parish is not able to fulfil their commitment due to unforeseen circumstances.
Am I able to complete my Stewardship Commitment form electronically and also pay electronically?
Yes, by going to the church’s website, www.ravanica.org, and clicking on the Stewardship tab, you will see a link that will direct you to the online commitment form that you can fill out and submit.
For online payments of your Stewardship Commitment, you can do so by using your bank’s bill pay feature to make payments directly payable to St. Lazarus Ravanica. Please make sure to include the church’s address when setting up your bill pay on your banking website. Additionally, you can make electronic payments by credit card or bank transfer via Parish Pay. A link to Parish Pay will be available via the Stewardship tab on www.ravanica.org.
What if I do not have access to the internet or online banking, how can I submit my commitment form and payments?
You can mail your completed commitment forms and payments to the church office:
St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral
Attn: Stewardship Commitment
4575 East Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48234
Please be sure to make checks or money orders made payable to St. Lazarus Ravanica. DO NOT SEND CASH!
You may also drop off your commitment forms and payments in the Stewardship drop box located in the church office inside the church, not the hall.
Who is included in my Stewardship Commitment?
The Stewardship Commitment includes: husband, wife and children under the age of 18. Every adult of the age of 18 should fill out their own commitment form, as we all possess different talents that we can volunteer to our church.
How can I decide how much to give to the Church?
This is a personal decision between you and God. Only the names of the Stewards will be published in the church bulletin. This approach eliminates prideful (Pharisaic) giving, competitive giving, and alleviates a discomfort for those who are not able to give a large sum.
Stewardship is about equal sacrifice, not equal giving.
If I give to my Church for example, $2000 a year and do not participate in any other parish activities or sacramental life of the Church, can I still be considered as a Steward in good standing?
No. Stewardship is comprised of commitment of your time, talent and treasures. It is a full commitment to the sacramental life of the Church; fasting, worship, Holy Confession, Holy Communion, obedience, confession, etc. When a parishioner fulfils all of the above and proves that he/she is fully committed to the mystical life of the Church, willingly and without pressure, then financial support of his/her church comes naturally as an expression of their faith. This is where the aspect of Christian Stewardship differs from ‘paying dues membership.’ It is a sacrificial commitment rather than a formal obligation.
What is the deadline for me to submit my Stewardship Commitment form?
The deadline for submission of the Stewardship Commitment form is December 18th. We should be reminded that we do not have to send money with our Commitment form. This will depend on your own decision when to start sending the money to the Church, i.e. weekly, monthly, quarterly, and a particular method that you choose for tracking the transactions. Submission of all commitment forms by this date will allow ample time for accounting of commitments and budget planning for the upcoming year.
Who is eligible to attend the Annual Assembly meeting?
Stewards in good standing will receive an official invitation to attend the Annual Assembly meeting. You will need to bring the invitation with you in order to enter the meeting. All Stewards in good standing will need to complete and submit their commitment form by December 18th in order to receive an invitation.
*For the 2012 Annual Assembly, current members in good standing who have already paid their dues for 2011 and/or have pre-paid their dues for 2012 will receive an invitation to the Annual Assembly meeting.
What does the Bible say about financial support of the Church?
We will cite a few passages from the Bible that clearly state how we should support our Church:
Secretly: “that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret, will Himself reward you openly.” Matt. 6:4
Regularly: “on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper…” 1 Cor. 16:2
Bountifully and Willingly: “he who sparingly sows will also sparingly reap, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:6-7
As Sacrifice/Offering: “Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:32
For the Heavenly Reward: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt. 6:19-21
Being aware greed: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” 1 Timothy 6:10
