Ways to Give
We see stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church. It’s about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity.
A Community Built on Generosity and Grace
Relationships, perspective, abundance, and scarcity are the key words here. At St. Barnabas, we strive to foster an awareness of all these foundational concepts.
In doing so, we will ask much of our congregants. We will ask for more than your time, talent, and treasure. Indeed, we will ask you to first discern God’s abundance in your own life, and then we will ask for your contributions only such as they reflect that abundance.
From that collective abundance, St. Barnabas asks you to help us responsibly steward stability in several contexts:
Financial stability of our operations and asset management
Fellowship stability within our congregation, as we strive to maintain and continually develop our relationships with each other through our relationship with God
Outreach stability within the city of Lafayette and beyond, as we strive to reliably serve our communities by fostering relationships that allow us to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ beyond our walls
At St. Barnabas, we believe the ultimate predictor of stewardship success is effective, multidirectional communication. Therefore, we also ask that you build a practice of continually talking with each other, our clergy, our staff, and our lay leaders about your hopes, desires, and visions for our church and its place in your life and in the life of our larger community.
“The goal of tithing and stewardship is discipleship – to grow closer to Christ, and through that growth to better live and serve this world of His. What you find is where your treasure is, there your heart is and there your passion is revealed let’s put all that we have in to that…and watch the Kingdom. ”
Father Michael
Sustainable Giving: Make a Pledge
Monthly and yearly pledges provide the steady, reliable support that allows a church to plan faithfully and serve with consistency. When congregants commit to regular giving, they help build a predictable foundation for worship, outreach, pastoral care, and the daily work of ministry. This ongoing generosity empowers the church to meet needs with confidence while pursuing long-term goals rooted in shared values and mission. By pledging intentionally, each member becomes an active partner in sustaining the life of the church and expanding its impact within the congregation and the broader community.
Our Budget: Trustworthy Stewardship
A church budget is more than a financial plan—it’s a reflection of a congregation’s values, priorities, and shared mission. It outlines how resources are intentionally allocated to support worship, pastoral care, outreach, education, facilities, and the day-to-day operations that keep ministry thriving. A healthy church budget balances stewardship with vision, ensuring that immediate needs are met while creating space for growth, generosity, and long-term stability. Ultimately, it is a tool that helps the church faithfully transform the gifts of its people into meaningful impact within the congregation and the wider community.