The theme for the 2022 TENS Stewardship Campaign Resources is More Than Enough. As we emerge from this period of disruption and isolation in our congregations, we have felt the pain and frustration of distance, of diminished resources, and of our ability to connect in the ways to which we are accustomed. However, as we take inventory of our spiritual resources, the strength of our community, and our capacity for generosity, we realize that there is now, and always has been, More Than Enough.
The new password to access the resources for 2022 is Luke9:17
Please note, the password is case sensitive and there are no spaces.TENS relies on you to distribute the password and link to our resources to everyone involved in Stewardship in your churches so that they may take the best advantage of all TENS has to offer.
You may download all the seasonal reflections, the theological introduction to the theme, and the campaign timeline in English and in Spanish on our website.
More Than Enough theological statement
When Elijah meets the widow of Zarephaph, as the story is told to us in First Kings, he asks to be fed from the very last of her stores. She explains to him that she’s gathering wood for the fire she’ll make to cook the last meal she expects to eat before she and her son die of starvation. Still, he asks her to make him some bread.
Even though Elijah promises that she won’t run out of flour and oil, how can she know this is true? The first miracle of the story is that she shares the very last that she has with this entitled man who is asking for food and drink. In my opinion it overshadows the other miracles that follow – the never-empty jugs of oil and flour – because for the first miracle to be effective, the widow must first make the most daring risk.
I see this miracle replayed often in the Church. When faced with diminished resources, I have witnessed congregations get creative, roll up their sleeves, and find ways to engage their mission. In situations where old models were failing to attract new energy, I have seen members volunteer their ideas, their wisdom, to help a congregation move beyond its capacity. I have seen vestries take risks in order to extend more services, more ministry in their communities, even if the path to staffing or funding it wasn’t immediately clear.
In every one of these circumstances, miracles were present, because in every one of these circumstances there was more than enough. More than enough people to do the work, more than enough money to cover the costs, more than enough creativity to carry the project forward. Even when we feel depleted, there is more than enough.
There will be more than enough because our faith will unlock the generosity of others. Expect miracles.
Maybe the recent pandemic has made you wonder if your congregation will be able to continue, able to provide ministry and pay the bills. Maybe you have had to make serious adjustments in your own household budget or your plans. Our stewardship of our personal and collective resources reminds us of the abundance around us. There will be more than enough because our faith will unlock the generosity of others. Expect miracles.
Free Webinars
TENS is offering several webinars this year for all churches to attend at no cost. Please help us promote these by placing links to the TENS webinar page in your newsletter and recommending them to your stewardship leaders. We will be adding more webinars as the year goes on, and you can always find them on the TENS website.