Many of us have comfortable lives, presumably made possible through sacrifice and hard work. We applaud  young David, seeing him deserving of the King's throne because he faced Goliath bravely and worked hard as a shepherd.  And like David, it's possible that the comfort of power and possession once positioned, blinds us to our own destructive force of entitlement.  King David failed to recognize that with more power comes more responsibility. Fortunately for us, we have the opportunity to learn from King David's mistakes.  Fr. Dustin Lyon encourages us to repent and with thanksgiving, remember all that the Lord provides that we are called only to steward.

Read the full episode transcript here.

​Do we professing Christians today face the same discomfort and conviction experienced by the Rich Young Ruler who is told to sell all that he has and give to the poor and follow Jesus? Like the rich ruler, do we lack trust in the commandments we profess to keep?

The story of the Rich Young Ruler immediately follows the scene of Jesus calling the little children to him. He takes the moment to teach, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:17) Dependent children cannot but trust and receive from the one who provides for them. Fr. Dustin Lyon, host of The Way, contrasts the trusting children with the Rich Young Ruler, reminding us of the call to seek the treasures of heaven found in obedience to the instruction we receive.

​Read the full episode transcript here.

What does money have to do with salvation? 
Isn't the whole-burnt offering an archaic, wasteful practice? 
Can tithing be understood as a Church tax?
Isn't almsgiving simply giving a few spare coins to one in need? 
Shouldn't parish fundraising use a ministry-centric approach?

An interview with Dr. Andrew Geleris, author of the forthcoming book Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, challenges many of these notions after his study of Scripture challenged him. 

After listening to the podcast, consider these questions:

1. What is the difference between a "ministry-centric" and  "soul-centric" financial discussion? How did Jesus teach? Why does the difference matter? What implications does this have for how we do fundraising?
2. Why is the topic of almsgiving so important in Orthodox worship and practice? 
3. How does thinking about offerings as participating in a divine mystery affect how we think about giving to the church and the needy poor?  
4. What is the biblical teaching in terms of expressing gratitude and recognizing the tithe as holy?
5. If you do not now tithe or give as generously as you would like to give, how does it feel to humbly confess your weakness to God?

​Continue the conversation by joining the Summer Stewardship Series, August 2021.

​Read the full episode transcript here

Rev. Dr. John Panagiotou, author of The Path to Oikonomia with Jesus Christ as Our Lighthouse, shares a powerful framework for stewardship that arises from the Old and New Testaments as well as patristic and liturgical writings.  He discusses:

• "The love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Tim. 6:10)
• The difference between stewards and volunteers
• What we've earned versus what the Lord provides
• The connection between stewardship and the liturgical life

Fr. John's book is a resource used in Inspiring Generosity and Stewards, a module of Doulos - The Intensive Program in Servant Leadership.

Read the full episode transcript here.

The Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) Summer Leadership Institute trains nearly fifty college students each year to serve their local campuses through OCF.  Applicants to this program demonstrate a heart for service, desiring to "give back" to the OCF ministry that has had such a positive impact on them.  Students explore what it means to be an Orthodox Christian as a leader in OCF, the Church, and the world. They are challenged through Christ's teaching to avoid ego-driven leadership, and instead take on the mindset of servant leadership, including a practice of generosity through the resources of their first jobs. As students explore the diverse Orthodox practices and cultures, they grow more united as the body of Christ and together take on some of the most pressing social issues we face in America.

As college graduates launch their careers, their first employers readily harness the value of those who received leadership training and practice in teamwork through service on the OCF Student Leadership Board. But are our parishes so quick to harness the gifts of these students?  Christina offers some suggestions to both parish leaders and young emerging leaders to create opportunities for those capable college graduates who desire to serve the Church.
 
Christina Andresen, Director of Ministries for the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, shares how student leaders are trained to serve OCF ministries on their college campuses.  She will be a featured speaker at the upcoming National Orthodox Advanced Leadership Conference which will focus on Investing in Emerging Leaders. 

See the Full Episode Transcript.​​

Fr. Luke Veronis shares the story of how his parish trusted in the Lord's provision. Rather than clinging to the last few resources dwindling from their bank account, they accepted the challenge to "Be the Church" by sharing the resources God had provided to global, national, and local missions and ministries. A few years later, as the Church approached its centennial celebration, they invested the Lord's provision by distributing $30,000 cash among their parishioners and sent them to the highways and byways to give to those in need.

Fr. Luke bases his ministry on the Lord's word to Abram found in Genesis 12:2, "I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing."

See the full episode transcript.

Fr. Robert Holet, DMin, author of The First and Finest: Orthodox Christian Stewardship as Sacred Offering, outlines the stewardship cycle: 

1. Acknowledge God as the source of everything
2. Receive God's gifts
3. Offer the first fruits
4. Care for all God entrusts
5. God accepts our offering and pours forth greater abundance
6. Mature in human capacity to steward God's gifts
7. Make an account upon the Master's return
8. Eternal reward of "good and faithful servant"

Fr. Robert also explores the five T's of stewardship, consecrating beyond the first fruits of Time, Talent, and Treasure.  As we allow the Lord to examine our hearts and minds this Lent, Fr. Robert offers A Self-Examination and Reflection Guide to prepare for confession and participate in faithful stewardship.