The Power of a Good Word

In the last several weeks our school had a visitor who toured and was very impressed with our

• Small classes
• Efficient operations
• "Back to basics" approach to curriculum
• Discipline
• Manners and attentiveness of the students

When I followed up with him after the tour he told me that he did not have financial resources to invest, but he would be willing to write a letter to the editor of the local paper.

Today the letter was printed on the Opinion page where he declared that here is a "school that does more with less", referring to efficiency and focus of the school. No doubt, this will resonate with people who care about education in general because they see how much is invested in the public school system.

The beauty of the world in which we work is that there is always something to offer or to give. In this case, a non-Christian can sing the praises of a school that is reminiscent of the school he remembered as a boy.

Our stewardship work is to create an environment of generosity where people experience the joy of doing something outside of their own interests. Oftentimes, this is a "Christan-to-Christian" experience, but it does not need to be.

Also, we never know how the Lord may use this introduction to lead us into the next conversation when we can discuss matters of eternal consequence.

Christian Stewardship and the Expectant Heart

The school where I work has an end-of-the-year "mini" campaign to raise the balance of the Annual Fund.

In organizing this work, we enlisted a parent to chair the campaign and thirteen Class Captains to pray for each class and to follow up to encourage 100% participation from the other parents.

I don't know what the Lord will do with our specific financial goals, but even now I can see some of the marvelous work He has begun:

1. Several parents have expressed their confidence in what the Lord will do for the school and are praying
2. A parent visited me this morning and told me she thinks she will will write a "missionary letter" to her congregation and ask them to support this school that ministers to unbelievers
3. A set of grandparents who are willing to tell their story so that other grandparents will be motivated to give to the campaign
4. Another meeting this morning with a Classroom Captain who said that our conversation helped her enlarge her vision for the school. She said she will urge her husband to do more than they first thought.

That's the role of the stewardship officer. We are to be seed planters, vision casters, gift revealers, and faith encouragers. In doing this work, we trust the Holy Spirit to do the "heavy lifting" of moving in hearts so that His people desire to release generously into the Kingdom role He has for us.

Eph. 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.