Stewardship is often avoided due to its tendency to make members uneasy. In fact, few things make church members more uncomfortable than being challenged on financial decisions and practices. Yet, one could argue that such uncomfortable stewardship functions are in complete alignment with the call of the ruling elder. After all, sound stewardship practices usually center on spiritual discernment, a direct link to the responsibilities of ruling elders. To ease this feeling of discomfort, the key is for ruling elders to develop comfort with their own stewardship practices to facilitate effective leadership of others within the congregation.
To develop that comfort, ruling elders and others involved with stewardship ministry can be encouraged to explore their own theology of stewardship. Simply put, a theology of stewardship defines one’s views on what it means to be a generous, faithful steward. To fully grasp one’s perspective, it is important to first understand the formative principles and philosophies that helped shape their current views. While this task generally requires significant unpacking — rooted in prayer, scriptural study and discernment, and practical changes — it often begins with a few reflection questions.
What is your first memory of generosity?
While the term “stewardship” was used previously, this is a very “churchy” word. Some have been exposed to the term stewardship over the years as active participants in the church, but others may not have grown up in the church. For the latter, church participation, membership and ordination may result from a more recent church affiliation. Therefore, generosity can be a much more inclusive term, as it is certainly not restricted to church participation. As such, answers to this initial question vary — some may recall placing a coin or bill into a collection plate. Others may recall a neighborhood or community example of resource sharing. Either way, these first memories matter, as they provide a foundation for views on generosity and stewardship.
Who taught you how to give?
Why do you give to the church?
These two questions are related and of equal importance, as they also reveal foundational perspectives on generosity and shed additional light on the personal theology of stewardship. By identifying the people who taught us how to give, we begin to unravel the mentors in our lives who helped form our connection with “things.” For example, memories of loved ones who taught us that possessions were meant to be shared versus memories of people who modeled a form of hoarding are quite different. Such differing views often lead to vastly different practices related to the sharing of resources — time, talents and treasures. Similarly, the final question about why you give can be illuminating.
Ideally, ruling elders and members alike give to their congregation in support of ministry and mission — not strictly for carpet, HVAC systems and other “widgets.” When stewardship solely becomes a means to pay for the upkeep of the church, the true meaning has been lost. Stewardship should be treated as a spiritual discipline, with practices that provide for both practical and inspirational needs. Ruling elders can reinforce the connection between giving and ministry.
Stewardship leadership can be an opportunity to further develop disciples’ understanding within the body, helping each person identify a theology of stewardship that uplifts and furthers the ministry of Jesus Christ!
For Reflection:
- What is your first memory of generosity?
- Who taught you how to give?
- Why do you give to the church?
- What have you learned about your own theology of stewardship and how can that impact you as a spiritual leader?
Olanda Carr Jr. is a ruling elder at First United Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He works with the Presbyterian Foundation as the Ministry Relations Officer (MRO) serving the East Region and resides in Harrisburg, North Carolina, with his wife, Monica.
Throughout 2026, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles will focus on some of the foundational aspects of ruling elder service and spiritual leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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