Stewardship FAQ

Common Questions…Direct Answers

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is a way of life that shows you love God with your heart, mind, soul, and strength. With your Stewardship you affirm that all the aspects of your life are gifts from God. When you offer your time, talents and treasure, you are offering to God what he has given you freely and abundantly breath by breath, hour by hour.

Which of your many skills, hobbies, and interests can serve our parish? Whatever your time constraints, there is some way you can help. Even your presence, and loving smile make a difference.

Here are a few voices from parishioners:

“Stewardship is your spiritual expression of your faith and love for God,”

“…when you love someone, you want to spend time with that person, you want to share your talent whether it is singing, cooking, educating and lastly you would share your treasure to take care of that person like you would take care of your child, spouse, loved ones.”

“Christian Stewardship refers to the responsibility that Christians have in maintaining and using wisely the gifts that God has bestowed on us.”

“ …when I don’t see someone who usually comes each week, I wonder…I hope they are ok, maybe I should call to check in, he is like a brother to me.”

“This is why I think education is so important. If people don’t know why they’re Orthodox or why that’s important, how can we expect them to give time and treasure over something they feel they’re just obligated to do.”

“Stewardship is what you do after you say, ‘I believe in one God…’”

How do I become a pledged Steward?

Complete the Commitment and Family Information Card and bring it or mail it to the Church.

How do I fulfil my commitment to my Church?

In the manner that suits you best. Contributions toward a pledge can be made weekly,monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

Who is included in my family?

A pledging family may include an elder relative as well as parents and children, or could be two adult siblings.

What about single working adults?

Each working, self-supporting adult over 18 should make his/her own commitment.

When should I fulfill my Stewardship pledge?

Stewardship occurs on a calendar year basis, starting January 1st. Parishioners are asked to fulfill their pledges by December 31st of the year in which they are pledging.

Will my pledge amount be confidential?

Yes. All pledge amounts are kept in the strictest confidence. Only the names of all pledged Stewards will be listed in the Church hall.

What happens if I need to revise my commitment?

Our commitment is not a legal obligation, but a promise to God. You can change your commitment according to your changing financial situation by advising the stewardship chairperson.

How much should I pledge?

You decide. Your gifts of time, talent and treasure are a small part of your earnest understanding of the prayer during the Divine Liturgy: “ That the end of our lives may be Christian, without pain, blameless and peaceful, and for a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.”

Guidelines for giving of time, talents, and treasure

Hard to quantify! But what if 10% of your time, talents and treasure were given? How would that change what you do every day if God were top of mind?

Guidelines that some people have used for Treasure:

Here’s a table of income and suggested yearly/monthly offerings for Treasure. The suggested amount is between 2 - 4% of net (after-tax) annual income.

Yearly net income $	Suggested yearly amount	Monthly contributions
$20,000	$400 to $800	$33-$67
$30.000	$600 to $1,200	$50- $100
$40,000	$800- $1,600	$67 - $133
$50,000	$1,000- $2,000	$83 -$167
$60,000	$1,200 - $2,400	$100- $200
$70,000	$1,400- $2,800	$117-$233
$80,000	$1,600 - $3,200	$133- $267
$90,000	$1,800- $3,600	$150- $300
$ 100,000	$2,000- $4,000	$167- $333
$ 200,000	$4,000- $8,000	$333- $667
$300,000	$6,000- $12,000	$500- $1,000
As much as you have	All of it