By Linda Dietrich
Diocesan Stewardship Commission

At my first diocesan convention about 12 years ago, I was astonished to see a list of the parishes in our diocese with the amounts of their contributions to the diocese. My astonishment was over the number of parishes which did not meet their voluntary asking. I was astonished because it had been seen as a huge accomplishment at All Saints, Morristown, years ago, when we had made that “plunge” and committed fully our share to the work of the diocese. I couldn’t imagine why any parish wouldn’t want to do the same.

Over the years I have read and studied and learned much about budgets and stewardship and commitments. I have been involved with the process at a parish, diocesan and national level. And I want you to know that we’re going about this all wrong.

It comes down to this: Do we give back to God our first fruits or do we give our leftovers? Do we live out our Christian mission with faith that God will give us the resources we need to do the job? Or do we limit ourselves and God’s mission here on Earth by keeping as much for ourselves as we “need” and giving God the leftovers?

If we as individuals determine our contribution to our local church by what we have left over after all the other bills are paid, then that mindset carries over into our vestries, who determine the extent of contribution to the diocese. And if that mindset carries over to the Bishop and Council, it can affect the contribution of the diocese to the Episcopal Church.

Sometimes I fantasize about what my church might be able to accomplish if everyone took God’s expectation of receiving our first fruits to heart. All Saints would be able to hire the staff we need to conduct all the programs we dream of for our children and families and adults. We could give away even more money to be put to good use in our community. We might even see some places where All Saints could provide leadership in doing justice.

And what if every parish answered God’s call to return their first fruits to the mission of the diocese? Instead of designating 0.7 percent of our budget to world mission, maybe we would decide to fund a missionary. Or we might be able to hire a diocesan program director who could coordinate and connect parishes in their education and outreach activities. We wouldn’t worry about supporting the staff of the bookstore or Grace Point or the youth program, because we would claim them as necessary parts of God’s mission in this diocese. We could support our seminarians with more than prayers. We could take an active role in reducing poverty and hunger at home and abroad. We could plant new churches and build more schools and bring more people to Christ.

Because when it’s all said and done, that’s our mission, isn’t it? And isn’t that a mission that deserves our first fruits?

My challenge to you is simple. Start your budget process by deciding on how your parish and your diocese will do the mission of the church, instead of how much you have to spend. Trust God. What you need will be provided to you even as to the lilies of the field.

If you are a member of a vestry that has decided to contribute less than 100 percent of the diocesan asking, I pray that God will change your heart so that you can let go of your first fruits to do God’s work in our diocese. No, it’s not practical or sensible. It’s acting out your faith and answering God’s call. And it’s not too late; budgets can be revised!

For more information about stewardship in the Diocese of East Tennessee, contact Herb Berl, the diocesan stewardship officer, at stewardship@etdiocese.net or 865-966-2110.