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FAQ • A Message from the Stewardship Chair

GIVING FAQ

What is stewardship?

A steward is a person who has been entrusted with another person’s property, finances or resources. As Christians, we believe that everything we have is a gift from God. We are not owners. Instead, we are stewards of God’s many blessings. Stewardship is about prayerfully offering back to God some measure of our time, our talents, our labor, our prayers, our presence, and our finances. 

Financial stewardship, then, begins as a response to God: we offer back some percentage of our resources as a sign of gratitude, faithfulness and love. It is, first and foremost, about our spiritual growth. This offering is then used to support the mission and ministries of St. James’ Church as we seek to fulfill our mission to actively share the love of Jesus Christ with each other, our city, and the world.

I give. Why should I make an annual commitment?

A commitment of record is important because it is, first and foremost, a statement of belonging. A commitment is a way of saying, “this is my spiritual home,” and “I consider myself a member of St. James’ Church.” Furthermore, by making a commitment, we allow the church to plan a budget that accurately anticipates the revenue that will be received from parishioner giving.    

Why do we always talk so much about money?

Like it or not, money plays a central role in our day to day lives.  Just imagine how difficult it would be to make it through a single day without a thought of money, some small transaction.  Because that is true, money can become either a valuable tool in our spiritual development or a stumbling block on our path to a Christ-filled life.  When used with intention, with conviction – perhaps even as a spiritual practice – money can further our work as God’s hands in this world, bringing glory to God and enabling more and more people to know the love of Jesus Christ.  But, as with any tool with which one hopes to create great works, a dedicated practice is essential. How might our financial habits open our lives up to God and to our neighbors? Where might God be calling us to go today?

So, this is like paying dues?

Absolutely not!  Stewardship is not an entrance fee, nor is it a legalistic, one-size-fits-all model of giving. Stewardship is about taking stock of everything we have been given by God and then prayerfully considering how we can offer back our time, our talents, and our treasure.

In the end, stewardship is not about total dollars and cents. It is about recognizing God’s generous love toward us, and being transformed into generous-hearted people ourselves. And, because that is true, stewardship is actually incredibly egalitarian. We are all called to give generously. We are all able to give generously. Generosity is not about how much we have; it is about what we do with what we have.


How much should I give?

Throughout the Old Testament, the people of Israel are reminded to bring the “first fruits” of all their labor to God, offering a tithe (10%) as a sign of their gratitude for all that God had done for them. In the Gospels, Jesus goes so far as to invite us to sell everything we have – to let go, to stop worrying  – so that we might share all we have with our neighbors, near and far.  We are invited to turn away from the things of this world in order to turn and follow the path of Christ.

We ask that everyone consider making a commitment that is both responsible and significant based on his or her financial situation.

Where does the money I give to St. James’ go?
Annual stewardship currently accounts for 53% of our total annual budget, covering everything from worship and music, salaries, building costs, programs for children and young adults, education, fellowship, pastoral care, and mission and outreach ministries.  Stewardship funds also ensure that the doors of our church are open for those who come during the week seeking a quiet place to pray.  

Kinsolving Society brochure
The Clergy Discretionary Fund

St. James' Church  865 Madison Avenue  New York,   NY  10021   (212) 288-4100   fax (212) 650-0304   www.stjames.org