“Advent is not the season for fundraising. You should not have made that kind of announcement this morning!”
This was the message a stewardship committee member received after delivering the stewardship announcement during worship. The disgruntled congregant was all but saying that Christian stewardship development did not belong in our December celebrations and reflections.
We can sing, pray, listen to Scripture and erect a tree of lights in the sanctuary — but, do not send a stewardship ministry disciple in to talk about giving opportunities!
Really? Is it sacrilegious to engage stewardship development opportunities during our days of waiting for the coming of the Lord? Are endeavors to catalyze generosity antithetical to the life and ministry of the Savior who emerged from the nativity in Bethlehem?
The disciple who expressed her opposition for the overlapping of Advent and liturgical stewardship announcements is not alone in her commentary. The notion that it is taboo to have talk of money in sacred space has been baking in theological thought for years.
During Advent, our decisions about what we emphasize and what we ignore are to be influenced by the Way of Jesus. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul shares the Way for our relationships, worship and all practices of faithfulness:
“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:4-8)
Jesus looked to the interests of others. He emptied himself. He practiced humility. He was compliant to the mission that was his to finish.
He loved.
Paul tells us to practice this Way. And this Way is one that is abundantly generous. In that case, the stewardship committee disciple was not erroneous to develop stewardship during Advent. His stewardship was to encourage generous stewardship.
In addition to inviting generous gifts, what are other invitations to share with one another during Advent?
Here are three:
- Look to the interests of others. What opportunities exist for serving others and sharing what we have with our communities, friends, family and neighbors?
- Empty ourselves. How can we abandon our own agendas and self-serving goals in exchange for ministries of mercy, justice and evangelism?
- Remain faithful to our mission. We are called not to increase our consumerism — but to always be maturing in our likeness to the generous Christ.
In Advent, keep speaking of stewardship. Invite generous practices. During the season of welcoming Jesus, let’s also invite and welcome and invite stewardship in our
worshipping communities.
Sean Mitchell is a fundraiser, preacher, founder of Generosity Development and co-author of “Gracious Stewardship.” He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. His website is generositydevelopment.com.
