CONFERENCE EMPHASIS 2009 THEME: EMPOWERING CHURCHES FOR KINGDOM GROWTH THROUGH STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS. By Rev A.B. Jayesimi.

I.                   INTRODUCTION

The Stewardship emphasis is an attempt to go back to the basics of Christian teachings which has made Christian living and services a little difficult. It is important for the Church membership to be exposed to the whole truth about God and also be encouraged to live by the standards found in the Scriptures. The Living Lord has given the Church the guidelines for administering the resources entrusted to the Believers in Him and thus the resources ought to be used in the best possible way for the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth.

Christian Stewardship is a way of setting Godly priority in the management of God’s resources. It is a way of acknowledging the position of God and Man in the scheme of resources. This study is a synthesis of total Christian Stewardship for practical application and evaluation in a local Church setting.  It is a four-week in depth study of Stewardship Emphasis.  It aims to provide resources for Stewardship Emphasis for Church setting in Ogun Baptist Conference.

The Theme for the Conference in 2009 is “Empowering The Churches for Kingdom Growth through Stewardship Emphasis.” Text Psalms 24:1-2, 1 Cor4:2.It is expected that the Baptist Churches in Ogun Conference will be equipped for Kingdom expansion by taken full cognizance of being faithful Stewards of many God’s resources at our disposal. It is therefore important for every Baptist Church in the Conference to cooperate with her leadership in observing this life transforming emphasis. It is good for every Church to set aside a month in the year 2009 for this emphasis. I strongly urge every Church to observe the emphasis in detail since half obedience is dangerous in Christendom. I also encourage the Churches that have done similar emphasis in the recent past to do it again for corporate emphasis. This is the direction the Living Lord is leading the Conference; therefore, your Church cannot be left behind.

It is important that the necessary committees be put in place for effective and efficient emphasis. The Church must be ready to make fund available to execute the emphasis. The money spent on this emphasis is spiritual investment, which will bring dividends to both the Church and God’s kingdom at large.

The Church membership must be carried along through adequate announcements, publicity and encouragement. The membership needs to be encouraged to support the emphasis through prayer, participation and commitment. It is an opportunity to step into One’s abundance through Biblical principles. They are thus encouraged to attend all the studies, Services, and the concluding Stewardship Revival.

11. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH ON STEWARDSHIP.

“God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions: and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s causes on earth.” Lumpkin.

 

II1.     PREPARATION FOR STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS

Prior proper planning prevents poor performances is the philosophy for stewardship emphasis.  The Church needs to have adequate preparation for effective stewardship emphasis.  The pastor needs to call the attention of the Church towards the necessity of the emphasis on stewardship.   The Church needs to approve the programme and set the date which allows for several months of adequate preparation.  The Church needs to make the weeks of the emphasis free from other programmes. 

The Church also needs to set up three committees which include:  budget, publicity and visitation committees, at least two months before the commencement of the programme.  The committees are going to work in cooperation with the Pastor in planning and implementing the stewardship emphasis.  The duties include the following:

Budget Committee

1.         This committee is a standing one and this continues her job after the programme. 

The Finance Committee can serve the same purpose.

2.         She is responsible for the preparation of Church budget for the coming year to be

presented on the first Sunday of the emphasis and also make necessary adjustment for final adoption when the pledges are totaled.

3.         The Committee, in working affiliation with the Pastor, explains important parts of the emphasis to the Church like Demonstration Day, Commitment, Pledge and so on.

4.         The Committee and the Pastor plan for Demonstration Day and Commitment Day

Services.

5.         She encourages all Church members to sign cards on Commitment Day and also to be

faithful to redeem the pledges.

6.         She brings the report of pledge on “Victory Day.”

Publicity Committee

1.         It is the duty of this committee to publicize the programme in all the avenues the Church

uses for publicity at least a month to the programme.

2.         She encourages attendance of all stewardship emphasis programmes through publicity.

3.         She supplies the Pastor with information on the use of available space for the emphasis.

4.         She plans and conducts all Church socials.

Visitation Committee

1.         She is responsible for the distribution of all printed materials.  The membership is

educated on the use of the literature.

2.         The Committee obtains a list and addresses of Church members.

3.         She distributes the following printed materials at least a month before the programme. 

They are: Study course books to Teachers, a sample Church budget to the budget committee. 

She makes available all special lessons to respective Teachers with dates a week to the

programme.  She also gives suggestions on home prayer meeting and drama for Church

social to publicity committee.

4.         She distributes the three Newsletters, Demonstration Day tracts, and other tracts.

The Church also needs to purchase all the relevant books and tracts from Stewardship Department, Baptist Building, Ibadan.  The Church also needs to invite the Guest Speaker for the Stewardship revival several months prior to the programme.

The Church Pastor also needs to be convinced of the importance of the emphasis and also be a living example of good Christian Stewardship.  He needs to study all the programmes of Christian stewardship thoroughly and be able to explain them to the Church membership.  He also needs to help secure Teachers for all classes.  He supervises the choosing of committees and leads the Church to pray earnestly for God to use the programme to make the membership good stewards.  The pastor may also prepare the minds of the congregation for stewardship emphasis through a series of sermons which may last a month prior to the beginning of the emphasis.

IV.       A SIX-WEEK SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP.

This is a programme designed to teach Christian Stewardship in Churches of Nigerian Baptist Convention.  The programme includes study course, stewardship revival week, visitation, playlets and so on.  The programme will last for a month with adequate planning.

The programme includes book study.  The following books are good and will be used for different age groups;

Children:         Victoria and the Gold Earrings by Marjorie Stephens.

Youth:             Resources for Living Stewardship for Youth by Dorothy Severance and adapted

by Jane Whorton.  The eight chapters will be taught in five meeting times.

Chapters one and two will be taught in two meeting times while two chapters will be taught in one meeting time for the rest of the chapters.

Adult:              Total Christian Stewardship by Russell and Veda Locke. 

The study course will be taught in one and half hours for five meetings.  There is going to be a break time at every session.

Stewardship Testimonies of good Tithers can be used during the emphasis.  A person who’s personal experience of being a faithful steward of tithe is allowed to spur others to action through the testimony during the emphasis.

The home prayer meeting is another effective way to involve many Church members in preparing for the emphasis through prayers.  The Church is divided into zones with leaders or house fellowship centers may be used for this purpose.  The addresses of the zones are made public for everyone to attend.

Special stewardship lessons can be used during a week of the emphasis.  This included Sunday School, Church Training, and Church Organizational meetings like Royal Ambassadors, Girls Auxillary, Women Missionary Union and so on.  For example, Sunday School for Junior, Primary and Beginners is titled “Many Thanksgiving.”  Young People “Stewardship Principles or Methods” and “Faithful Steward” for Adult Class.  The programmes are available at Stewardship Department of our Convention or Conference Secretariat.

All Church social is held on Saturday evening before “Demonstration Day” Sunday.  It includes all age groups.  It is a fellowship time which includes stewardship drama like “The Man in the Middle” adopted by James D. Britt, tithing testimonies, devotion and refreshments.  The people are reminded of “Demonstration Day” on the following day.

Demonstration Day is another important feature of the programme.  It is a Sunday when members are encouraged to bring a tithe of one week’s income.  The members are prepared for this through visitation, letters, announcements and tracts.

Revival is the peak of the stewardship programme.  The preacher presents biblical stewardship sermons and calls for responses.  The trained counselors help in counseling and follow up.  The Commitment Service is planned towards the end of the emphasis when people are called to make commitment concerning their total Christian Stewardship.  The pledge cards which have been distributed earlier will be collected.  The service is the climax of the emphasis.

The Victory Day is a time for the results of “Demonstration Day” and Commitment Day will be announced.  The outline of six week schedule for stewardship emphasis according to Veda Locke but adapted is as follows:

The Four-Week Schedule Of Christian Stewardship.

Sunday 1 – Stewardship of Life Sunday

1.         Pastor preaches on total Christian Stewardship

2.         Present budget to congregation.

3.         Hand out Stewardship Letter No. 1 and tract to members.

4.         On Sunday evening, begin Stewardship Book Study with age groups.

During the Week:

1.         Continue the Stewardship of Life Sunday

2.         Present budget to congregation.

3.         Hand out Stewardship Letter No. 1 and tract to members.

4.         On Sunday evening, begin Stewardship Book Study with age groups.

During the Week:

1.         Continue the Stewardship Study daily for all age groups.

2.         Carry Stewardship Letter No. 1 and tract to members who were absent on Sunday.

Sunday II –  Church and Denomination Sunday

1.         Guest Preacher emphasizes the relationship of the Church and Denomination i.e Association, Conference & Convention.

2.         Hands out Stewardship Letter No. 2 and “Demonstration Day”  tract and explains

Demonstration Day.

3.         On Sunday evening, presents Stewardship Drama or music programme.  Have a tithing testimony in both morning and evening services.

During the Week

1.         Visitation of absentee members.  Carry Letter No. 2 and “Demonstration Day” tract to them.

2.         Saturday evening have an all-Church social. 

Sunday III – “Demonstration Day”

1.         Use special lessons on Stewardship in Sunday School and Church Training instead of regular lessons.

2.         Preach on tithing (Pastor).

3.         Receive the “Demonstration Tithe” as regular offering.

4.         The Pastor preaches on Stewardship and Missions/Evangelism.

5.         Give members a Stewardship tract.

During the Week

1.         Small group meet in homes to pray for revival.

2.         Visit those not yet participating in programme to urge attendance at the revival.

Sunday IV – “Revival” Sunday

1.         The Pastor or Visiting Preacher begins Stewardship Revival Service.

2.         Hand out Stewardship Letter No. 3 – “My Financial Covenant” Card, and “Pledging to God’ tract.

3.         Announce results of “Demonstrate the Tithe” Sunday.

4.         Have Stewardship revival services each evening

CONCLUSION

A synthesis of total Christian stewardship is necessary for understanding proper relationship to God as stewards.  The Forward Programme of Christian Stewardship calls for prior proper planning for adequate and effective emphasis.  The emphasis is a four-week stewardship life transforming activity. Nevertheless, one-week stewardship emphasis is expected to be conducted during the intervening years.

The Pastor is an important factor in carrying out an effective emphasis while the cooperation of the Church cannot be over-emphasized.  The Church needs to evaluate the programme at the end of the emphasis.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Locke, Veda and Russell.  Total Christian Stewardship.

Ibadan:  Baptist Press, 1986.

Locke, Veda, ed.  Stewardship Plan Book for Churches.

            Ibadan:  Baptist Press, 1986.

Lumpkin, William L. Baptist Confessions of Faith.

            Valley Forge:Judson Press, 1983.

Ray, Cecil.  Living the Responsible Life.  Adopted by

C. Alongo Hogg.  El Paso:  Carib Baptist Publications, n. d.

Severance, Dorothy.  Adopted by Mary Jane Whorton.

            Resources for Living Stewardship for Youth.

            Ibadan:  Baptist Press, n. d.

Stephens, Marjorie.  Victoria and the Gold Earrings.

            Ibadan:  Baptist Press, n. d.