1) What is Christian Stewardship?

Christian Stewardship means effectively living and practicing our belief in Jesus Christ by offering the gifts that God has given each of us –our time, talents, and treasure—to the glory of God. It is meant to help each of us to actively and prayerfully strive to do our unique part in fulfilling the commission we receive at baptism and christmation; to be witnesses of our Lord’s grace and love and to help people come to Him.

Stewardship, the most ancient form of giving to the Church, comes from the Greek word “ikonomia,” which means managing another’s property or affairs. It is the one way that the support of the Church is viewed as a matter of personal commitment and conscience. It is the way of maintaining our Church with Christian care, an active understanding of our Church’s needs, and by committing an honest portion of our time, talents and treasure for the work and support of the Church. It is a fair way to give because it enables each of us to give according to how God has blessed us.

2. Why a Stewardship Program at St. Petka Parish?

Under the Stewardship program each of us are given the privilege to decide how much time, which skills, and the amount of our financial resources we commit to the Church each year. The intent of Stewardship is to help achieve a wholehearted and joyful giving of the gifts we receive from God instead of feeling like we are “paying membership dues.” Remember, our talents, abilities and resources are God’s gifts to us. How we use them is our gift to God.

3. What is a Stewardship Pledge?

Your Stewardship Pledge is a statement of intention made in good faith to give of your Time (a pledge of a number of minutes or hours each week outside of the church services to help the parish); to give one’s Talents (example: those who play an instrument and read music to help sing, those who practice law to help the parish pro bono, those with financial skills or are stockbrokers to help the church with investments; those with sports skills to help form and lead church youth sports teams, etc.); as well as to give of one’s personal financial resources, one’s Treasure, to support the ministries and operation of God’s Holy Church. A new pledge (which takes into consideration one’s Time card pledge, Talents pledge, and one’s Treasure pledge) is made for each calendar year. Your annual time and talent pledge helps to match members with the various missions of the Church; and, your financial pledge provides the parish with an assured level of financial support. Each working, self-supporting adult over 18 should complete his/her own pledge card and make his/her own commitment of time, talents and treasure.

4. How much should I give to the Church financially as an annual Stewardship Pledge?

It is between you and God to decide what the right amount is for you. In the Old Testament times, people were expected to tithe, or give 10% of their income for the support of the Synagogue and to take care of the widows and orphans. The average giving among all church-going Christian families in the United States is about 3%. For an annual household income of $45,000 this corresponds to $1,350 per year. A simple guideline to follow is the “one hour’s pay per week” rule-of-thumb. It is good starting point, which calculates to about 2.5% of your annual income.

The key points to remember when developing your financial giving plan to the Church are:
a) Give with a Total Commitment—As St. Paul said, “God loves a cheerful giver.” He loves people who understand that everything we have—everything we are—comes from Him. As Stewards let us give in thanksgiving and experience the joy of giving. The more you trust in God, the more generous you become. God will provide you with the resources you truly need through His blessings.
b) Give sacrificially—true Christian giving means giving up something else in order to give to the Lord. It means giving up spending on things and activities that may distract us from the Lord. It does not mean causing financial hardship—just as fasting from food should not be done at the expense of one’s health, but to help us grow spiritually.
c) Give proportionately—get into the habit of establishing your stewardship financial pledge as a percentage of you annual income. This is sound financial planning and helps put your pledge into perspective.

5. Is there a specific minimum amount required?

No, there is no mandatory minimum. The Stewardship Program gives each of us the opportunity to reflect on God’s gifts to us to help determine the level of our personal commitment.

6. What does the Church do for me?

The Church exists to help sustain us with Christ our Savior. Without the Church what do we have? Nothing. In the Gospels, God offers us a new life. The Church, and ONLY the Church, brings that Gospel to us. Christ established the Church to help prepare as many of us as possible to become like Him so that we may live an eternal life with Him. No other group or organization shares God’s gift of life in Christ. By committing as a Steward, you help keep the Word of God alive here at St. Petka and you are supporting the work of our Lord.

7. How should I fulfill my financial commitment?

You may choose the manner that suits you best. Depending on your situation, you can make payments, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. We recommend monthly offering because it helps us develop a good practice of budgeting and making regular contributions. In addition, it provides the Church with a more balanced cash flow throughout the year. Generally, it is easier for most families to manage periodic payments.

8. Can a commitment of time and talent take the place of financial commitment?

Yes, but make every effort to increase the giving of your Time (in the form of minutes and hours pledged a week outside of the services to helping the church) and talents to the church.

9. Is it necessary to turn in a pledge card?

Submitting pledge cards gives our Parish Council an opportunity to plan for what has been entrusted in their care—the care, administration and future of St. Petka. Pledges give our Church a way to plan for what it can and cannot offer in a given year. Your pledge card allows you to indicate when and how you intend to fulfill your pledge. By submitting your pledge card, you, the Orthodox Christian, are established as a member of St. Petka Parish. As your financial circumstances change, your financial pledge may be increased or decreased at any time by contacting our Stewardship Pledge Committee.

10. What does my Stewardship Pledge entitle?

Your Stewardship Pledge establishes you as a member in financial good standing. It entitles you with the voting right which may be exercised at General Assembly meetings—electing Parish Council members, approving the annual budget, approving/opposing special projects that go beyond the daily operating expenses of the Church.