S T E W A R D S H I P

Orthodox Christian stewardship is the practice of systematic and proportionate giving of time, abilities and material possessions. These are a trust from God, to be used in His service for the benefit of all mankind in grateful acknowledg­ment of Christ's redeeming love. Possessions are a trust from God. As we share them we spread His love to the world. God has made each of us a steward, and has given us abilities and talents that are unique. Our time, talents, health, relationships, property - truly, all that we have is given to us by God. Stewardship allows ME to love, care for, and promote the Christian work and mission of Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. In this way, I fulfill the commandment of Christ and as a good steward of my time, talents, and wealth, I also assure the smooth operation of the parish in meeting the needs of its members: spiritual, educational, cultural, social, recreational and philanthropic.

We can go on and on describing the ways man has devised to support his Church. Some have been successful, others have not. Some are dignified, others are not. Some have been direct where the individual makes the contri­bution himself; others have been indirect where the individual makes the effort to lure away somebody else's money as in the case with bingo and gambling ventures. The most dependable, most responsible, most dignified and most Christian of all methods is systematic, equitable and personal giving. When the individual has arrived at the happy conclusion that his Church must become of the same concern to him as his family, his job, his food, his shelter, his dress, his club, his recreation and his hobby, then the problem of Church support has been solved with dignity, efficiency and effectiveness. This can be accom­plished in the parish with the stewardship program.

The stewardship program will help us meet all our obligations to our Church with responsibility, dignity, and equity. It's the only way with which to partici­pate totally in the work and mission of the Church. It's the only way through which the support of our Church becomes matter of conscience instead

instead of coercion. It will help us support our Church as a personal obligation and as our item of the family budget, instead of random contribution. It's a way to escape assessments, endless requests for money by being nickled and dieted to death. It is the only way through which the parish will know in advance what income it will have during the year and how to use it to the best possible advantage.

It will give the Church the ability to face all her building needs and offer all of her services to all parishioners NOW instead of years in the future, and over­come unstable financial conditions. It's the only way, which will enable us to pay for what we build in a relatively short time, thus sparing ourselves and our children from unbearable debts. How well we accomplish this stewardship will bring us both success on earth and favor with our Lord Jesus Christ who is the head and leader of our Church and parish.

This would eventually replace the DUES STRUCTURE: a structure of financial support that gives a false sense of obligation to the Church. By paying dues, members often think they have done all that they need to do financially to support the Church in its work and mission. Many use it solely for voting privileges in the election of Church Board officers. This structure makes the Church dependent almost exclusively on "outside" sources and uncertain donations. This structure lacks vision and offers no thought for the future. It lends itself to a club-like understanding of the Church.

What's our purpose? That Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral will be and remain a vibrant, active and solid leader of Serbian Orthodoxy in the U.S.A. and Canada, and true to its almost 100 year history. This is a difficult task, which will require much thought and careful consideration. An overview of the past and present conditions of Cathedral life will be necessary in order to properly set goals and objectives for the future.

Who are we? St. John Chrystosom writes that the Church is "made up of the souls of human beings" that cannot be built by stone or mortar, but rather by the spiritual growth of its members into the full reality of Jesus Christ. The Church then is people - God's people who gather together in his name, thereby calling themselves Christians; share a common faith and hope in the Risen Lord; affirm the truth - Orthodoxy - of their faith, belief and experience; and con­tinue to proclaim the Gospel as fellow workers with Christ and His Apostles.

It is of utmost importance that this is always kept in mind during any discussion centered around setting goals and objectives for the Church community, present or future.

Since Holy Resurrection is part of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and was founded by the Serbian community in the Greater Ch ica go area, it is likewise important to maintain that identity. Through the propagation of the Serbian language and the spiritual riches of Serbian Culture and History, which in their truest sense are always linked to Christ and His Kingdom.

Fr. Dennis Pavichevich