Stewardship of Institutional Change in the Church

The Biblical term, ‘Stewardship,’ refers to man’s response to the grace freely given him by God. Divine grace manifests itself in limitless forms, as God Himself can not be limited. Individual and communal examples are experienced at every moment, and as children of God we react in one way or another; positively, negatively, with gratitude, with entitlement, responsibly, irresponsibly, with returned offering, with greed. Regardless of the response to the grace God gives, it is a form of Stewardship – either good or bad.

The historical Christian Church is a constant offering of God’s grace to all of His creation. Mankind has been entrusted with God’s house, which serves as our spiritual hospital, sanctifying and cleansing the souls of mankind, through the continued offering of Divine Grace. As taught by the holy Apostle Paul, the Church is the Body of Christ, and perfect in every way; however, the worldly institution of the Church has been entrusted to man, who is imperfect, to grow the medium through which God’s grace is invoked for the faithful. The way in which man, clergy and laity, respond to this great commission must be understood as Stewardship, as it is response to grace offered by God, to all of His creation, through His Church.

Today’s post-modern, globalized world is one of extreme speed, interaction, and segregation, where ‘change’ is no longer a response to opportunities or crisis; rather, ‘change’ is a constant to be engaged as either opportunity or crisis. The institution of the Church is not exempt from this dynamic of ‘change.’ The Church’s approach to institutional change must be viewed as an integral component of Stewardship, in forms of response to the grace that God has entrusted us through His One Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church.

This blog will serve as a forum to introduce conversation shedding light upon the dynamic of institutional change in the Church as Stewardship in the Lord’s Vineyard. Your prayers and thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.
Lord have mercy on us!