Stewardship
Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks
with compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet
with which Christ walks to do good.
Yours are the hands
with which Christ blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
yours are the eyes, you are Christ's body. Amen.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
We, the family members of Brentwood Presbyterian Church, share the gifts that God has bestowed upon us in three ways, which we refer to as the “Three 'T's of Stewardship”:
We give our Time:
Whether it is building homes in Mexico, cooking meals for the homeless, or volunteering in the church office, when we work for the glory of God, there is no greater task. When we give our time, we give one of the most prized limited resources. For nobody can get more than 24 hours from a day, and no moment in time can ever be relived.
We share our Talent:
Our talents differ from our time in that the skills that we gain from our education, training or job experience give us special skills that set us apart from the generalist. When an attorney performs pro-bono legal work, a doctor provides free medical care or a teacher shepherds a Sunday school class, they are applying their talents for the greater good.
We offer our Treasures:
Many of us Brentwood Presbyterian Church are blessed with comfortable living standards. Those comforts are often the fruits of hard work and career successes. God wants us to share our financial fruits for God’s greater glory. The real-world realities of operating a church in the 21st Century require financial resources. Thus, while time and talent are important gifts, monetary offerings are required for a modern-day church to operate successful ministries and are an integral expression of our faith commitment and trust in God.
If you have questions about stewardship or tithing, please feel free to consult with any of our Pastors or Stewardship Elders Sarah McClintock or Cindy Ruth.
Click here for the 2012 Pledge Card.
How much should I give?
What does PCUSA believe?
How much does BPC tithe?
Can I change my pledge if my circumstances change?
To Tithe or Not-to-tithe...that is the question.
While many Christian communities still promote tithing, we at BPC use it as a guideline. The Old Testament or Mosaic Law is very clear that God's people are to give one tenth (10%) of their gross earnings to the church. However there is a belief among Christian theologians that the Christian law, which supersedes Mosaic Law, states that all that is in our possession already belongs to God, and that we are trusted to serve as custodians or STEWARDS for what already belongs to God.
While we tend to measure the extent of our giving in quantitative terms, we are also commanded to give great quality.
“Honor God with the first fruits from your harvest.”
“Proverbs 3:9
“Each should give what he or she has decided from the heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7.
Put another way, we should give the best, sweetest, tastiest, blue ribbon winning fruit from our harvest! And, while circumstances may not allow some to give a full ten percent, others will have the ability to give more.
What does PCUSA believe?
"Giving has always been a mark of Christian commitment and discipleship. The ways in which a believer uses God's gifts of material goods, personal abilities, and time should reflect a faithful response to God's self-giving in Jesus Christ and Christ's call to minister to and share with others in the world. Tithing is a primary expression of the Christian discipline of stewardship."
Book of Order W-5.5004
"Those who follow the discipline of Christian stewardship will find themselves called to lives of simplicity, generosity, honesty, hospitality, compassion, receptivity, and concern for the earth and God's creatures."
Book of Order W-5.5005
BPC’s giving
BPC is a unique church in that it shares between 15% - 17% of its total annual budget with non-profit organizations in the Westside community and around the world. For a complete list of the organizations we support, click here.
As good financial stewards, the church plans its expenditures based on expected contributions. Thus, we ask that our family members make annual pledges, so that we can better forecast our finances.
Changing Circumstances
We understand that circumstances in our day to day and personal lives may change. Thus, when financial conditions change, the church understands that you may need to adjust your pledge. Should you need to change your pledge, please contact BPC Financial Manager Stephanie Mass at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Likewise, if you find your circumstances have changed for the positive, you may consider giving above and beyond your original pledge to share of your financial blessings.