Stewardship is more than Fundraising

“Why is an architect talking about stewardship?” asked a pastor recently when I talked to him about a workshop we’re planning.  The pastor continued, “Stewardship means fundraising to most people.” I was caught off guard because; for me, Christian stewardship means caring for and using God’s creation in a way that furthers His kingdom and His purpose.  This more holistic notion of stewardship is how I link my occupation (architect) with my vocation (follower and disciple of Christ).

A team from Engineering Ministries Int'l at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya

I was raised in a church tradition that historically was populated by farmers and tradespersons. The “can-do,” practical nature of these people equipped them to live out their faith in heroic acts of international relief for refugees, response to natural disasters and mutual aid for those building homes, barns and church meetingplaces. Their faith called them to reject materialism, resulting in communities that were green and sustainable long before it became fashionable.  From the earliest age I was taught and shown that stewardship meant honoring God in the practical, mundane choices we make about how we live and work.

Offices of Everance -- A Church-operated financial services firm

As the Church, like all of society, becomes more urban/suburban/exurban, service and ministry projects encounter more regulatory, financial and technological challenges. Too often churches undertake projects with purposeful naivety thinking that banks, governments and businesses will “cut them slack” because they are the Church. Similarly, too often the Church settles for what is “good enough” – accepting solutions and outcomes of less quality than what any of us would personally accept in our homes or businesses. Rather we should call upon the financial, sales, engineering and technology skills found in our church to navigate projects fairly, transparently and with a high standard for value.

Preaching the Gospel includes, “caring for the least of these” (Matthew 25:40) and, “loving our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 22:39).  Stewardship means planning for and equipping ourselves to obey these commands in tangible, skilled, and practical ways. Fundraising is often a component of this, but before we launch into fundraising or a capital campaign for a project, let’s use all the tools of commerce and the marketplace that are available. Being a good steward and practicing stewardship is so much more than fundraising.

A Recovering Church Architect

I was raised in a church-centered community that built beautiful church “meetingplaces”.  My earliest lessons of what it means to be a Christian are inextricably woven into my memories of the church buildings in which they were taught.  The dignity of church architecture reinforced the message of my parents; “This is important!  Pay attention!”  My interest in church architecture grew parallel to my understanding of God, in Jesus, as Creator, Sustainer and Savior of all that is.  Convinced that architecture is a powerful tool for communication, I believed that being a church architect would be the culmination of my spiritual and professional ambitions. I thought I reached the pinnacle of my career when I became head of the Church Architecture studio of a Midwestern architecture firm.  But after four years I began to realize that too often constructing church buildings (small “c”) gets in the way of building the Church (capital “C”).   When I started Blue Ridge Architects, I was ready to never design another church.

So many church buildings, whether traditional or contemporary, sit empty the majority of the week.  Drive around your town during the week and notice all the sanctuaries, fellowship halls and classrooms that are only used on Sundays and maybe a handful of evenings or a Saturday or two.  Then talk to a member of a church where the congregation is aging, or where parishioners have been hard-hit by the recession and see what a burden upkeep on these underutilized facilities has become.  How much energy, money and time are siphoned away from critical ministry because we struggle to maintain facilities that aren’t aligned with the Church’s calling?

Renovation of an old 7-Eleven

Instead, I want to design and help build daycare centers, medical clinics, job-skill training centers, hospices – places where the Church is at work and the Kingdom of God is being built. If 300 people need a place to meet, let’s renovate an empty furniture store or car dealership rather than paving over farmland.  Let’s harness technology so that small congregations can learn from and connect to the church worldwide, and then turn off the video monitor and pray for local needs.

Renovation of an old flower shop

Don’t get me wrong, I want to employ my experience and training as an architect in service to the Church.  I believe that Christian stewardship means using God’s provision for God’s purposes. My ambition to be a church architect has equipped me to help Christian congregations discern how to use their time, money, bricks and parking lots to best serve God’s Kingdom.   It’s just that after 23 years of practice, I’m coming to believe this usually means building something other than another big sanctuary with a fellowship hall, gym and classrooms on 20 acres of virgin green space.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Email me at rseitz@blueridgearchitects.com.