September 10, 2007
Stewardship Resurgence in Louisana
Michael Stewart is the Stewardship/Cooperative Program Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Before coming to his current position, he pastored churches in Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. He is a graduate of NOBTS. He and his wife Joanna have two children, Joshua and Meredith. Josh is a senior at McNeese State University and Meredith is a Junior at Mississippi State University.
Here's what's happening in the State of Louisana when it comes to stewardship and ministry:
During the first two weeks of August, two teams traveled to 11 locations across Louisiana presenting "A Season for Stewardship" conferences.
During the general session, we showed the "It's A New Day" videos and introduced our state Crown reps. At the break, the Crown rep handed each pastor the 4-week DVD kit personally. Our reps were elated to introduce Crown Financial Ministries to our 110 of our churches.
In the church treasure/finance committee break out session we provided a tax seminar with information about salaries, maximizing benefits, and correct reporting procedures with scheduled time for Q/A. Further, our pastors received detailed information on how to have an annual, effective stewardship emphasis with a prove the tithe day campaign.
Their bags were full of other stewardship resources from SBC, LBC, Crown, and SDA. They also had a scheduled time for Q/A.
The conferences were well received! A number of DOM's participated and have already scheduled events for 2008.
I am grateful God has allowed me to be a part of a "stewardship resurgence" in our convention.
The Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge...?"
Luke 12:42a (HCSB)
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September 4, 2007
Ashley Clayton on Stewardship and the SBC, Part 1
Ashley Clayton serves on the staff of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention as Associate Vice President for Stewardship. Ashley has been a practitioner in local churches for many years and brings experience, knowledge, and a broad network of relationships to the Executive Committee. Since his role is vital to the continued viability of stewardship and giving within denominational life and ultimately local church ministry, we sat down together to talk about ministry and stewardship.
1. Explain the events that led up to your current role within the Executive Committee.
At the national Convention in Greensboro, NC in 2006 there was a vote to move the stewardship assignment back to the Executive Committee. At that point, my position was created. For years stewardship efforts in state conventions were facilitated and championed by the Stewardship Commission and housed in the national office. But the Commission no longer exists.
2. What was the Stewardship Commission?
The Stewardship Commission was designed to support each State Convention’s efforts at the national level regarding stewardship and giving by providing resources and training opportunities for state conventions and churches. However, the Commission was dissolved in the "Covenant For A New Century" restructuring in 1997.
3. What happened between the time the Commission was disbanded and now?
During that time, the State Convention Stewardship Directors, who had already banded together as the Stewardship Development Association (SDA) for fellowship and support, began to produce their own stewardship resources to be used in their state efforts just as the Stewardship Commission had done for them in the past. But as hard as they tried to fill the void, they simply could not replace the Stewardship Commission.
4. So what you’re saying is that a need emerged for representation of stewardship and giving at the national level again. Is this correct?
Exactly. The move in Greensboro was a direct response to the requests and needs of churches and State Conventions to once again find leadership and support at the national level. My office exists to come alongside state conventions and local churches, bringing leadership, awareness and resources.
5. This is your first denominational position, correct?
Yes. I have been a practioner serving on church staff my entire ministry. I’m a Christian Educator at heart, having served as Minister of Education at FBC Hobbs, NM, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid, OK, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, FBC Snellville, GA and Two Rivers Baptist Church, Nashville, TN.
Here’s a Little known fact: I actually left Two Rivers to go to the North American Mission Board to lead "Strategic Impact Cities", which is part of the Strategic Initiatives area. After seven months, Sharon [Ashley’s wife] and I were preparing to move from Nashville to Atlanta, when the landscape began to change dramatically at NAMB.
At the same time Morris Chapman extended an invitation for me to join the Executive Committee and give leadership to the newly formed stewardship initiative. So, Sharon and I prayed about it and made the decision to leave NAMB, accept the position and remain in Nashville.
Unfortunately, we had purchased a house in Atlanta in preparation for the move; it remains on the market as we speak!
6. Can you tell me more about your background and the experiences that led up to your current position?
As I said, my background is in church work. I have been fortunate to work at great churches and with great church leaders not the least of which include Dr. Hayes Wicker, Dr. Gary Smith, Dr. Adrian Rogers, Dr. James Merritt and Dr. Jerry Sutton. I'm a big fan of the local church. While I've made it my business to stay ahead of the curve in church growth and leadership issues, this new stewardship initiative might end up being my most legitimate work!
7. What have you learned during your first 18 months of service in this new role?
That’s a tough one. I think the one thing that jumps out at me is how isolated our state convention staff feel. Here are people who are passionate about stewardship and helping churches teach a Biblical perspective on giving.
They get in their cars and drive 25 - 35 thousand miles every year to call upon churches in their state with a message of stewardship. They deserve affirmation from the Executive Committee and the denomination as a whole. Their role is absolutely essential and vital to local church ministry.
Think about it, the bottom line is...no money...no ministry!
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July 25, 2007
SBCOutpost mentions this blog
SBCOutpost mentions this blog in a post today.
(P.S. Thanks guys!)
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SBCOutpost wins recognition and approval
SBCOutpost has been redesigned as a collaborative blog on Southern Baptist news and commentary. It's now been endorsed by such leaders as Morris Chapman, Thom Rainer, Jerry Rankin, and David Dockery. This is yet another example of how social media is influencing our denomination. It's also inspirational to think about how this blog may influence church leaders and pastors in the areas of stewardship and giving.
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July 24, 2007
SBC Special Emphasis Days
For easy reference, click here for an electronic version of the annual wall calendar outlining all SBC special emphasis days by month through 2012.
If you want to order paper copies, call 1.800.722.9407 or e-mail your request.
(FYI...The paper wall calendars are FREE!!!)
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