When you encountered this article’s title, I suspect your mind defaulted to Golgotha and the crucifixion. The three wooden crosses of Randy Travis’ song refer to the common practice of placing wooden crosses along roadways where fatalities occurred – those places where an earthly life reached its conclusion. In a way, the two are connected. When Jesus left this world behind, He left behind His followers and gave them one commission and one commandment. He made provisions for their well-being and ensured they had everything they needed to not only live an abundant life but also to accomplish the kingdom objectives He laid out.

How does your church engage congregants in the stewardship arena? Are you helping members “see their part in God’s story” regarding their life stewardship? In crafting a stewardship storyline, the discipline of rhetoric offers insight.

There is a healthy tension between having faith in God to provide needed resources and our responsibility to steward financial resources to prepare for future times of need. Preparation for the future is essential, and so is the proper stewardship and utilization of resources today for kingdom purposes.

The property and facilities of a church are the most significant financial investment most ministries will make. The cost of these buildings is not just made up of the cost to construct them. Maintenance, utility, and insurance costs add to the total costs of owning facilities and are typically the second-highest expense in the church’s budget. This knowledge makes proper stewardship of your facilities a critical factor in the health of your church. But how do you become a good steward of your building?