What is the difference between stewardship and philanthropy?
Philanthropy supports the arts, educational institutions, social services and health care, and all sorts of other very important charitable endeavors. Philanthropy is an expression of our love for our fellow humans and is a crucial part of the social fabric.
Stewardship, on the other hand, is about our relationship to God. It is about gratitude for the gifts we have been given, the gifts of life, the gifts of faith, the gifts of service to something larger than ourselves. We are stewards of the manifold graces which God has given us. We give from grateful hearts so that our lives might be transformed.
What is stewardship?
As a community of followers of Jesus Christ, being faithful stewards of all the resources with which we have been blessed by God is central to our faith. All that we have and all that we are comes from God and will one day be returned to God. As stewards, then, we are managers, not owners, of these blessings entrusted to us for our faithful care: our bodies, our abilities, our relationships, our financial resources, indeed all of Creation. As wise and faithful managers of these gifts, we are called to use them rightly in service of bringing in the Kingdom of God here and now.
What does faithful stewardship require of us?
Faithful stewardship requires participation in and commitment to a community of faith. It is through such commitment that we open ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. When we invest in our community, as the Body of Christ, the entire Body will be lifted up and transformed. So as faithful stewards of the community of Trinity Church, we strive to, as the seasons of life call us . . .
- Practice regular worship and prayer
- Participate in ministry offerings - such as formation programs, worship support, congregational care, hospitality, and outreach initiatives.
- Give generously and with heartfelt gratitude from our financial resources to support Trinity’s mission to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before God.
- Support one another with compassion and good humor in all the challenges and joys of life in community.
Why is it important to pledge?
A commitment to give, to turn over a portion of that with which God has blessed us, is an act of faith and trust. Your pledge commitment allows the staff and leadership of Trinity to develop a plan for how we will effectively serve God and our neighbors in 2026 and to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to their care. Your participation matters! Stewardship giving supports program excellence, community outreach, beautiful worship, and a highly talented and inspirational staff.
How do I fulfill my pledge commitment?
Trinity Church operates fiscally on a calendar year. Payments made towards your pledge can be made throughout 2026 in installments that are most convenient for you. They can even can be made early (in 2025).
Gifts can be made by check, credit card, automatic debit, stock transfers, IRA transfers, even through PayPal or Venmo. All gifts are tax-deductible and reflected on an annual tax statement.
Why should I pledge if I already give through the offering plate?
When you make a pledge commitment you are letting Trinity know how much you plan to give over the course of a year. Trinity leadership is then able to create an annual budget based on the pledge commitments of our parishioners.
What if I make a pledge but later find I can't pay it in full?
If for any reason you are not able to fulfill your pledge commitment, please notify the Stewardship Office that you need to adjust your pledge. We understand that circumstances change.
Is the amount of my pledge private?
Giving records of our parishioners are kept confidential by the finance office. The rector and elected executive leadership team may also have access to pledge records for specific purposes, with confidentiality agreements.
