"Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples who gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisified, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets and broken pieces that were left over. -- Matthew 14:19-20
What is Christian stewardship?
It has been said that stewardship is everything you do after you say, “Yes” to Jesus. Stewardship is a lifestyle choice that recognizes that everything is a gift from God. Our responsibility as United Methodists is to manage all the gifts that we have received from God - the true owner of all that we have in life. Jesus consistently taught that our responsibility as his disciples is to recognize that God is the provider of all that we possess and that our call is to be generous givers of our financial resources. A Christian steward contributes his or her time, talent, prayers, and financial resources with a willing and joyful spirit. Being a generous giver is a spiritual response to God's goodness.
The Office of Finance and Administration works as stewards, overseeing the resources and budget of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
This budget finances vital mission and ministry, locally and throughout the world. "We’re excited about what God is doing through the faithful giving of United Methodist churches throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference" said the Rev. Charles Harrell, chairman of the conference Council on Finance and Administration.
As stewards, the office of finance and administration, directs the financial resources, properties and facilities in a manner that enables the conference to call, equip, send and support discipling leaders.
One of the ways they do this is through the collection of apportionments, which churches contribute to enable the church to do minsitry together that would be impossible alone.
“Apportionments are a hallmark of United Methodism.” said Martha Knight, conference treasurer. “All United Methodist churches share together in carrying out what people and individual churches cannot adequately do alone. Through our apportionments we are able to serve beyond our local church. It is one of the ways that we can discover the purpose of our lives through justice and mercy ministries in the community and the world."
Through our apportionments we are in Christian community with all the world.
For more information about the missions and ministries of The United Methodist Church visit www.umcgiving.org or www.gbod.org/stewardship
