The traditional finance-focused stewardship definition for Adventists was redefined at the Blessings Above & Beyond Stewardship Summit in April.
"Stewardship is about a relationship with Jesus," says Erika Puni, General Conference stewardship director. "Stewardship is all of me in response to all of God."
In his presentation, Puni explained how stewardship is shifting from remuneration to restoration, from fundraising to faith-building, from finances to spirituality.
"Stewardship is about value transformation ... by Christ," Puni says. "In Jesus Christ, the values become: service, simplicity, sacrifice, surrender and submission."
More than 80 Northwest financial leaders from Washington, Alaska and Oregon met as "Blessings Teams" to discuss how to implement this new philosophy of stewardship in their church or school.
One church team decided, for example, to rename their church finance committee the Stewardship Blessings Team to encourage spiritual growth, affirm members and celebrate God's blessings.
Larry Evans, General Conference stewardship associate director, shared biblical foundations of stewardship, leadership principles and ministry resources with 70 pastors and church elders at the second part of the summit.
"Stewardship helps clarify our purpose in life," Evans says. "Stewardship involves every aspect of life: time, talent, health, money, influence and concerns."
The summit was jointly organized by the Washington Conference and the North Pacific Union Conference. Through Blessings Above & Beyond, Washington Conference provides weekly offering PowerPoint scripts, monthly bulletin inserts and quarterly posters.
Explore stewardship ministry resources at washingtonconference.org/blessings.
Erika Puni, General Conference stewardship director, encourages pastors at the Blessings Above & Beyond Stewardship Summit pastor session to refocus their ministry to help people develop and grow kingdom values and a healthy relationship with Jesus. (Heidi Martella)
Larry Evans, General Conference associate stewardship director, focused his stewardship representations for pastors on spiritual leadership and biblical foundations of stewardship. (Heidi Martella)
Bruce Koch, Washington Conference stewardship director, shares ideas at the Blessings Above & Beyond pastor session for teaching children and youth about stewardship concepts. (Heidi Martella)
"Blessings Teams," like this team of leaders from Everett (Wash.) Indonesian Church, participate at the Blessings Above & Beyond Summit in group sessions to discuss how to apply the spiritual growth principles of stewardship in their church and school communities. (Heidi Martella)
Nita Larson, Alaska Conference assistant treasurer, listens and takes notes at the Blessings Above & Beyond Stewardship Summit as stewardship is defined as a way of living in total commitment to God. (Heidi Martella)
Erika Puni, General Conference stewardship director, talked with Northwest Adventist church and school financial leaders about stewardship in a changing world and the theology of tithe and offerings. (Heidi Martella)
