Passionate Steward - 10th Anniversary Edition

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Chapter VII
Why Give? A Comparison of
Secular and Christian
Motivations for Philanthropy
Experience shows that the inability of clergy and lay
ministers to identify and articulate the values which
promote good stewardship is a primary source of the confusion
between secular fundraising practices and Christian stewardship
principles. The commercial culture in which fundraising has thrived
and prospered often runs counter to the nature, teaching and leading
of stewardship as a ministry within the Church. Unfortunately, the
way in which “stewardship” has been practiced over the centuries
has led to its devaluation as a ministry, especially amongst clergy,
who often see stewardship programs and financial campaigns as
competing with their ability to provide pastoral care, worship and
other ministries.
Until such time as both clergy and laity value stewardship as
a ministry, it will remain relegated to an inconvenient “necessity.”