Month: November 2020

Sharing God's message of hope and equipping Christian stewardship leaders is needed now as much as ever before. So it is with great regret that the Ecumenical Stewardship Center Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to dissolve the Ecumenical Stewardship Center corporation in 2021. Ecumenical Stewardship Center ministry programs will continue until the end of March 2021, including planned events, professional group gatherings, and access to resources. The Ecumenical Stewardship Center Board and staff are grateful for your engagement. We will hold you in prayer at this time as together we navigate multi-dimensional challenges in ministry. It will be our joy and privilege to continue to serve you for the next six months. Most Sincerely, Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO Ecumenical Stewardship Center

If you decided to read this blog post, it may be for one of two reasons. You may be thinking, “I can’t believe I see this on the Ecumenical Stewardship Center website! We’ve been trying for years to get our church to think differently about stewardship than just keeping the lights on!” Or you may be thinking, “Yes, we often say this in church when we talk about stewardship.” Truth is, “keeping the lights on” is a phrase that has been inferred, spoken, or written as part of many a church stewardship emphasis. I even heard a story recently about a church in the US Northeast who held worship without heat on a cold Sunday morning to make the point about the importance of church utilities. But for much of…