New stewardship resource for local churches

Cal-Nevada conference leaders collaborate on 'Afire with God'

By Review staff

It's just in time­a resource for real stewardship, not merely fund raising. This book not only can lay a foundation for your fall stewardship campaign; it also gives your church leaders a year-round approach to stewardship as a lifestyle in response to the gospel­me, money, abilities, our whole lives included, according to its' author.

"Afire With God: Spirit-ed Stewardship for a New Century" is the latest book by the Rev. Betsy Schwarzentraub, former pastor and stewardship consultant, and now director of stewardship development for the Cal-Nevada United Methodist Foundation. But the book also reflects the experience of three other leaders known in this Conference and throughout the UMC: Paul Extrum-Fernandez, the Rev. Mariellen Sawada and Robert Williams.

"Afire With God," due out now from Discipleship Resources, says the church is a community of stewards called to a dynamic, Spirit-led stewardship of the gospel. It boldly interprets aspects of our Hebrew tradition, the Trinity and Wesley's means of grace, and gives loads of practical stewardship ideas that work where it counts­in the local church.

The book invites readers to see "Spirit-ed stewardship" as a lifestyle based on the activity of God. It's written to clergy and church leaders (particularly finance, stewardship, nominations, church councils and retreat leaders) and to individuals seeking a wider scope of personal stewardship. With examples for year-round practical stewardship activities, it gives resources for stewardship training, retreats and study groups.

As to collaboration, the book response team reflects both diversity and depth. "Mariellen, Bob and Paul offered invaluable input," says Schwarz-entraub. "They've been involved in vital ministries all across the country. I wanted lots of examples in the book from small and large churches in different conferences ­rural, city, with ethnic diversity. So as I wrote each section of "Afire", they talked about how it really works, and suggested congregations doing exciting things in stewardship."

Extrum-Fernandez grew up in the Rio Grande Annual Conference. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Boston Univ., Extrum-Fernandez has served as a Hispanic ministries intern in California and chairs the Western Jurisdiction Inter-Ethnic Commission. He is one of our two conference directors of connectional ministries, and secures loans and grants for church facilities.

Rev. Sawada serves San Jose Wesley UMC and chairs the UM. Japanese American Caucus. She grew up in Alabama, served a two-point charge and on a large church staff in the Kansas East Annual Conference. She was a two-year missionary for the denomination. Author of two United Methodist Women youth study books and of UM curricula, she preaches often at national United Methodist youth events.

Williams is Lay Leader of San Francisco-Jones Memorial UMC, where he's been a leader for 34 years. A graduate of Cal Sate University, Hayward, he is president of the Berkeley Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first Black-college fraternity in the U.S. Raised in Ohio, he has worked with community and street-wise youth in various settings.

"Afire With God" doesn't read like a typical finance book. The Rev. Tom Rieke, a former stewardship executive for the UMC, notes its refreshing style, fresh context, solid research and scriptural grounding. "Ms. Schwarzentraub knows her subject," says Rev. Mark Vincent, director of The Giving Project. "The book is fluid," he says, "moving from theology to application, to lists of resources with great ease. Her ecumenical range fills her writing and helps stewardship and finance committees everywhere."

"Afire With God" is available from Discipleship Resources, catalog number DR273 through the Conference Cokesbury store in West Sacramento at (888) 768-0142, or through Discipleship Resources at (800)-685-4370. Ask for "Afire With God: Spirit-ed Stewardship for a New Century," by Betsy Schwarzentraub, ISBN: 0-88177-273-9.