Embracing alcohol-free gatherings today can draw from the church’s long history of social conscience, valuing the health of the whole community over personal preference or fleeting trends.

If ministries that are expected to be self-sustaining through sales of curriculum and books are no longer sustainable, what does that say about our buying habits? As Matthew 6:21 reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When was the last time you attended a wedding service where cultures and languages were honored equally? When was the last time you attended a wedding service where all were invited to partake at Jesus’ communion table in two languages? My God reminds me that officiating such a blessed wedding is possible, even if we are surrounded by global racial polarization.

In a culture that demands conformity, and where conformity is often equaled with Christianity, what remains the price of acceptance?

Stewardship is not simply about raising money for ministry. It includes helping people see all they have as a gift from God.