We talk a lot about stewardship as caring for things - the earth, the church, resources - but not all caring is material. Stewards care for the community, for the health, strength, vitality, compassion, and life of the community. Everything we say within the community, the attitude we bring to every activity, builds or destroys community. Stewards listen to what is said, observe body language, hear the deep message of their co-community member's words, and act in ways that build community. Stewards prepare themselves so they know how to react when they hear talk among members that is destructive of community.
St Paul wrote to the Ephesians about community building saying, "Be completely humble and gentle, be patient bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace...speak the truth in a spirit of love." (Ephesians 4: 2-3, 15). "Speaking the Truth in Love" by by Ruth Koch and Kenneth Hauck is a good reference for learning these stewardship skills.
FUMC started this weekend with a series of conversations, Holy Conversations, about its future. As with any time of change, there will be some less-than-holy side conversations going on. It is my hope that the Circle of Stewards will be awake and aware and hold its arms firmly but lovingly around this body of Christ as it passes through the necessary pangs of rebirth.
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