As human beings, created in the image of God, we are to reflect God's generosity. Giving is one of the primary joys of living and is intrinsic to being a Christian. We are called to give of our time, abilities, and money. These three are of equal importance. At certain times it may be easier to give of our time and abilities, and at other times it may be easier to give of our money, but is always important to give all three as we are able, and whatever we give, God will bless it. We all need to ask the question, "What is God calling me to give?"
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• It is necessary to focus on the spiritual need of people to give, not on the need of the church to receive. Specific ways in which the stewardship team works towards these goals are:  Meet, pray, and study, in order to strengthen our understanding of stewardship and our spiritual commitment.
• Teach the Biblical principles of stewardship as part of a year-round program. Education takes place in many ways -- sermons, Bible study, personal witness, Christian education programs, newsletter articles.
• Publicize the ministries of Calvary. We work to publicize the many ways stewardship is practiced by the people of Calvary.
• Organize commitment to give campaigns. Members of the congregation are given the opportunity to commit themselves to giving of their time, abilities, and money to support the missions and ministries of Calvary Church, where God is being served, and people are receiving the blessings of the Holy Spirit..

• Stewardship of Time and Talent Program.
  This was a three week program where we explored how we can become more faithful stewards. The format for each week started with an introduction of that week's theme, followed by an interview of a member of the congregation related to that theme, then a reading, and finally discussion. The themes for each week were:
  
  (a) All of Life is a Gift
  For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.-- John 3:16. 
  As Christians, it is important for us to acknowledge that everything we have and are is a gift, not an entitlement, and our response to that gift should be an attitude of thanksgiving. 
  
  (b)Communion: Time for God, Time for Each Other
  Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.--      Matthew 6:21.
  Many of us lead busy lives with many demands on our time. For many of us, balancing these demands is a challenge. Time is an extremely valuable asset because once spent, it cannot be replaced, like money, but rather lives on only in memory. Seeking to see our Lord in other people, and investing our time in others allows our time to live on by affecting the lives of those people.
  
  (c) Shaped for Serving God
  The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. -- I Corinthians 12:6-7.
  God equips each of us with different abilities and experience, and He calls us to use these special gifts for ministry, either through the church or in our daily lives. We are to serve God whereever we are and in whatever circumstances we may be in. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to everyone for their particular service.
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• Stewardship of Money Program.
  We have used the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program, by Herb Miller, for the past three years with good results. The focus of this program is on the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development. Our giving fuels the ministries of the church, demonstrates to the world our commitment to Christ, forces us to put God first and trust in Him, and frees us by not allowing our money to control us. Our God is a generous God and so are His people. Click HERE to see pictures from the November 2004 Celebration Luncheon following the program. Indeed, the act of giving, following Christ's example, does feel good.
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• Caught in the Act of Stewardship
  We publicize acts of stewardship by members of our congregation in the newsletter to both recognize people's service to Calvary and the community and to remind everyone that stewardship is all that we do to serve God.
• Environmental Stewardship Programs
  In 2002, we organized an education program and a gardening workday so that we could both reflect on God's great gift of creation and our responsibility as stewards of that creation as well as physically take part in caring for our little part of creation near the church. We plan to publish articles in the newsletter on this theme as well.
• Ministry Catalog
  We put together a catalog of all the ministries of Calvary church to publicize these ministries and provide members of the congregation with the opportunity to become involved in ministry.