# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S96
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

96 ESSAYS ON STEWARDSHIP

“The word was published throughout all the region
... and the disciples were filled with joy and with the
Holy Spirit” (13:49, 52). “So mightily the word of God
grew and prevailed” (19:20).

As we exercise our talents with one another, our joy
can grow, our spirit be uplifted, and God’s church will be
edified. The steward is a “little Christ,” acting out the
Good News wherever he is.

Years ago in Minnesota there was a terrible tornado.
That tornado roared through a section of the state and
wiped out a part of a town called Rochester. It seemed
like a total tragedy. Many people were killed or injured.
To help to rehabilitate the area several doctors, a father
and his two sons, worked day and night for several days
binding up wounds, straightening out crooked limbs,
setting bones, doing skilled surgery of one kind or
another.

The news of what they were doing was not kept in
Minnesota. It went all over the world. Money began to
pour into these doctors, urging them to keep up their
good work, people telling them they wanted to support
whatever hospital the doctors would like to establish.
Because they had done a beautiful service in a most
remarkable and effective way, God enlarged their sphere
of influence. “To him who has, more is given.”

The doctors received the money and held it in trust
for a while and ultimately decided that they would build
a hospital. Their name of course was Mayo. The famous
Mayo Clinic, which has touched the lives of many
people for healing, health, and renewal, came out of the
devastation of that tornado and the love of these men.

The Mayo men saw through the difficulty to God’s
reality. They saw the problem had within it the kernel of
a great possibility, and they turned it to a plus for

mankind. They were good stewards of their opportun-
ities and abilities, and they and the world were blessed.

Martin Sommer once wrote an article called, “I
sought for a man.” In it he says, “No one can deny that
among the members of our congregations there are
many precious gifts given to men and women which
may be utilized for the upbuilding of God’s kingdom if
they are recognized in time. In searching for such gifts,
we dare not imagine that brilliant gifts alone are
needed.”

It is true what an unknown poet has said:

Someone must play the minor parts,
Someone must hold the spear,
And someone when the music starts,
Must follow in the rear.

Not everyone can be the star
That shines with great white light,
But some must twinkle from afar
To harmonize the night.

In his book Adventures in Christian Stewardship R.
C. Rein says: “Christ once said that the children of this
world are in their generation wiser than the children of
light. This statement is often quoted with reference to
the methods and devices used by the children of the
world to advertise and sell their product. Would to God
that the Christian church were as much concerned with
discovering and using the unlimited potential power

that it has in the endless talents and gifts possessed
its members for spreading the Gospel.”

Oscar Feucht, in his marvelous book Everyo
Minister observes: “Most churches do not know?
resources they have in their own members. We n
long enough visit with each new member to learn
background, religious education, general educati
special training, and interest of the people as they:
brought into the fellowship.”

Dr. Feucht continues, “Does your church really kn
the hidden talents and aspirations of all its members’
talent file with a card for each member will help if j
kept up to date and used. We suggest a compet
enlistment secretary working closely with the pa
keeping that file up to date. New members are honoré
they are visited to get some information on thas
background and experience, especially their individ;
interest.” “af

In that connection, permit me to quote from my be
Living Lutheran Leadership: i

The best time to enlist talent is when the talent is ¥
enlistable. That means from the first 6 to 12 months"
church membership. Unless talent is intelligently enlig
in the first year of membership within a congregation, :
very likely never to be enlisted. When people mak

transfer of membership, the first month of their ‘i
relationship is the finest hour to speak to them about tale

When people profess their faith in Christ and ‘th
loyalty to the church, thatis the best time to enlist thers
gifts and skills for the service of the Master. Ther
never be a better time. There may never be another tii

As individuals grow in skills and abilities, itis a
necessary for the alert congregation to determine
redetermine periodically the areas in which people:
qualified to serve. We might add that it is also essen
to present a strong parish program that deserves.
services of people. It surely will be difficult to en
talent for a program that is ill defined or p
organized.

When Christian people see the work, understan
challenge, and visualize the final results, they are mor
than willing to lend their assistance and aid
successful realization of a Spirit-directed pro
Let’s maximize the moments of our people, let us glor
the ordinary and help them to invest their tale
effectively.

And then we want to talk about the stewardshif
rewards. I want to refer you to the back page of Toda;
Business, where we have suggested some questions:
be thinking about now and when you go home in |
tomorrows to come. There are questions that mays
helpful to you in maximizing your potential, energizit
your abilities to an ever larger extent, and doing
same for your congregation or your District and for y@
Synod. 3
Thoughts for now and later on stewardship
talents:
1. Whatis the original meaning of the word “stewara:
2. Why do not Lutherans more often take the lead!
government, industry, organized labor, science, 4
and education?
3. In what sense are people not created equal?
Matt. 25:15.
4. What type of enlistment of gifts program do Y9
have in your parish? Is it adequate?