How do I become a steward and what is expected of me?
Attend a Community of Stewards Info Gathering after worship on a Sunday morning. These are offered at least twice a year.
Have an informal conversation with Dave Peterson about joining the church. If you have never been baptized, that would also be discussed and scheduled at this point before taking stewardship vows.
Take the vows of stewardship at a celebration lunch after worship on a Sunday morning. You will receive an email invitation to attend a vow celebration after completing the first two steps.
Actively engage in the life of the NCC community by regular participation in worship services, prayer, and financial giving. Also commit to consistently attending one of the monthly gatherings—such as men’s, women’s, or envision—or serve on a team within the church or in the broader community.
What does it mean to be a steward?
The word “stewardship” reflects the underlying expectations and responsibilities of each person who takes this step
of commitment at New Community Church.
We believe God is inviting our stewards to help guide NCC in three important areas:
The vision of the church - Becoming a Jesus-centered community that is learning to embrace our belovedness as children of God, growing in love for our neighbors, while joining in the restorative work of God happening within and around us.
People and relationships - Discipling our people, caring for our leaders, and coming alongside our surrounding community.
The resources entrusted to us - Shepherding our finances, our sanctuary and campus, and our volunteers and staff.
Why steward rather than member?
Churches often use the term “membership” to describe this step of faith. The IRS also uses “membership” to describe what it requires of nonprofit churches. NCC is a nonprofit church and a member-based organization, which enables our tax-exempt status. Membership at churches has sometimes led to a culture of insiders and outsiders, and has even created a culture of privilege and power rather than ownership and responsibility.
However, the community we are building is more accurately described by the word “stewardship.” In the church, stewards are people who look after, serve, and take care of the church. The very first church was given specific instructions for its stewardship role. Luke writes: Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28-29
Luke uses words like overseers and shepherds to describe a Christ follower’s relationship to the church. Stewardship is a misunderstood word for the faith community, often reduced to financial contributions and resource management. A biblical view of stewardship is so much more.
Stewardship of the church is a spiritual step of faith in which we surrender our way to the way of Christ to shepherd and manage with wisdom, humility, and responsibility all that God has entrusted to us to fulfill the mission and kingdom vision God has for NCC.
A Community of Stewards is rooted in the story of NCC. Ten faithful congregants of the original First Baptist Church Menlo Park “stewarded” the campus property to remain a church through difficult and faith-challenging times. Their mission-focused stewardship enabled New Community Church to be created. We inherit the blessing of that first community of stewards.