Managers in God’s Household – The Second Side of Stewardship

Strength to Strength welcomed Marlin Sommers for a discussion about stewardship.

Christians talk a lot about stewardship. Being stewards is indeed a biblical idea (though “servant managers,” or “household managers” may be better terms). We know that what we are entrusted with is ultimately God’s resources.

What we may miss is that stewardship also describes our social roles in our various communities. We are stewards of God’s resources for the individuals or communities he intends those resources to bless.

This broadens our perspective on stewardship to include our skills, roles, and responsibilities, not just our money.

An interactive question-and-answer period follows.

PowerPoint: Download the slideshow

Resource: Business People Are Stewards

Resource: Stewards Are God’s Household Managers

More about Stewardship: King and Country: the King’s Stories by David Adams

A disciple claimed by Jesus and called to varied responsibilities: brother, husband, father, householder, steward of the scriptures, editor, bookkeeper and analyst, writer, etc.

My faith has been nurtured in the Amish and Mennonite tradition, within which I serve, and enriched by my interest in the church across time, place, and tradition.

My craft training is in residential construction, and my academic training is in philosophy (B.A. Grove City College; M.A., PhD University of Tennessee, Knoxville). I have attempted to broaden those skills through various other endeavors in craft and scholarship, but even in those, my basic training as a carpenter and philosopher shapes what I do.

I am part of Wellspring Mennonite Church and my primary employment is with Kingdom Channels and Anabaptist Perspectives.