By David H. Morgan

From talk given at Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church

The A, B, C’s and D of Stewardship

What is stewardship and what does it mean to you, to me, and OBPC?

I think they can be best explained by the A, B, C, and D’s of giving:

I. My Personal History: Left Atlanta in 2003-04, searched for a church home for 3, 4 years. I opted to finally decide on OBPC for a myriad of reasons, and I believe they can be integrated into the stewardship mission of which I have been honored to spearhead. This is not a fun, easy, or comfortable topic with which to deal with, but it is an inherent part of the life and sustenance of the church, and this church in particular. So, I have been asked, as an Elder of this church, to explain to you why stewardship is, and will always be, an integral member of being involved in this church.

II. Accountability

This has always been a hallmark of my core beliefs, in both my personal and professional life. In an era of pronounced lack of it, the Nanny State as I have often opined), I dare us to be different. How? Being a committed Christian means we are held accountable for our actions. Are you? As but one manifestation of this, each time that offering plate is passed along down the pew every Sunday, I take a (whimsical) sigh of relief, knowing that Pam and I have made it easy to remain accountable, via the automatic bank withdrawal that is done each month and that our offering, however miniscule it may at times appear to be, it is but just one manifestation to my calling and to the life of this church. Without any contributions, this church would ultimately cease to be. Therefore, it is most comforting to know that our offering makes an impact on the life and blood of this church. Thus, it is my call to you to similarly be held accountable to a caring and loving church by all of our giving.

III. Bravery:

You may muse “why do I use this word….should a Christian be characterized as brave?” I certainly have been so, and resolutely so. How? Despite my heavy travel schedule and our other homes, we still prioritize our time and contributions to the life and blood of this church. During the myriad of announcements every Sunday morning at the beginning of the service, I am awe struck by the myriad of programs, missions, and other benevolent causes that this small church espouses and then implements. Candidly, there are times I wish I could be more involved, but both my wife and I do what we can. I view us a brave representative of this church and, therefore, to Christ’s calling. I am continually emboldened and energized by the multitude of all of the programs and offerings here, and all are done so completely voluntarily and without condition. (The recent summary of some of these programs by fellow Elder Bruce Miller presentation struck me of his bravery.) Think about this and reframing participation here this way: We boast of our educational and work credentials on our career resumes, why not be similarly proud, be brave, of our contributions to this church? I might term it brave altruism? I know that my mission (that sign as I left my sons basketball camp every night in the 1990’s) begins as I leave this hallowed ground every Sunday, to brave the vicissitudes of a tumultuous and upset world.

IV. Comfort/Courage

You may ask, why this word, “How is stewardship either of these words?” Well, just the fact that you chose to walk through those doors this morning and that you are all (still!) sitting here today, right now, in that pew suggests to me that you probably came here for a reason. And, I submit you came here because this is a sanctuary, a place of solace, of quiet, of reflection, of prayer. In a crowded, electronic, and noisy world, coming to church on Sunday should be place for all of us to, as my late Mom used to say, a wonderful place to “recharge our spiritual batteries”, to fertilize our minds, to nourish our spirits. (Does not this wonderful choir fuel this inner peace each time we hear them?) Therefore, I submit to you to that the spiritual nourishment here alone warrants a form of commitment, even if also involves a pecuniary mode, too.

V. Duty

“Really”, you ask, “how so?” Yes, I submit to you that in a world of ephemeral promises, vacuous representations, and hollow overtures from many, especially our leaders, does it not embolden you to know that you are surrounded by a host of other followers who see it as their duty to follow the Lord, to be a Christian? Is it not our calling to model and replicate what Christ did with his time while he was on Earth? Therefore, to give of ourselves, our talents, time and resources, is not only the right thing to do but, I submit, our duty, a duty to let others know of our dedication, our commitment, and our duty to others. This should make us all proud to be here. In an era where such words may seem vacuous, this is a wonderful adjective that defines part of my calling here.

Conclusion

I would be remiss in not quoting the eulogy of a fallen leader many years ago, in 1968. I was moved back then when I heard it on our little black and white TV the age of 12 back in St. Louis, and I still reflect on those moving words spoken that early summer day back then (from Edward Kennedy’s euology for his deceased brother Bobby, June 8th, 1968):

My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.

Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will some day come to pass for all the world.

As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him:

“Some men see things as they are and say why.
I dream things that never were and say why not.”

These words still resonate today, and reflect my core values as a member of OMPC. So, now, I ask each of you, “Are you, too, a dreamer??? Are you prepared to put those dreams into reality???”

Why do we GIVE ?

1. God: imparts, calls us ……….[scripture passage that Sunday]:
2. Invigorates: us spiritually, mentally, physically…..
3. Victorious: over the despair in life, over death upon …..
4. Energizes: the seasons in our stewardship, year long:
5. Discernment: Winter: reflection, holidays,
6. Direction: Spring: growth, rebirth, resurrection
7. Development: Summer: vacation=service
8. Dedication: Autumn: resources of time, energy, $$

Our blessings mean we are to be generous

– David H. Morgan

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