At Pentecost, the early followers felt the Spirit’s fire and, inspired, they responded with courage, creativity, and shared life. They preached boldly. They formed new communities. They shared resources so that the good news could grow. They were spirit-led innovators, trusting in God enough to live differently and to try something new.
That same Spirit is still with the church today.
So, what if your next stewardship conversation started with this fire?
If you are leading in a congregation or presbytery right now, you already know the real pressures we face. This is not one more reminder of what is hard. It is an invitation to a different kind of conversation: the kind that sparks imagination and makes stewardship feel exciting, purpose-driven, and joined to what God is already doing.
As you prepare for the next stewardship conversation with your congregation, presbytery, or ministry, I invite you to consider these three Pentecost questions:
1 – Where do we already see the Spirit moving? How can our visioning, budget planning, and mission giving help nurture that life?
This shifts the conversation away from anxiety alone and toward signs of energy, need, and possibility. It asks, “What do we see God doing?” before “How do we fill this gap?” The spark of Pentecost shows up first as fire on people, willing to listen to the work of the Spirit.
2 – What is one small, Spirit-led experiment we sense God inviting us to try this year?
Not everything has to change at once. Sometimes innovation begins with one faithful step, one partnership, one shared role, one new dinner worship, one new ministry opportunity in your congregation or community. A single spark can be enough to light the next small fire.
3 – Who beyond our walls might want to be part of this story with us?
Individuals, organizations, businesses, and community partners may be more open than we think when they are invited into something meaningful and hopeful. This question reminds us that stewardship at its core is about relationships and connecting to a common mission. The spark of Pentecost spread as people heard the good news in their own language and chose to join in. This isn’t just stewardship. It’s innovation. It’s creating new pathways for connection, and communion in your contexts. When we follow God’s Spirit, we joyfully step into the new possibilities God is inviting us into.
Within the Synod of the Northeast’s new vision, the Grants pillar is one way we are trying to live this out together, shifting toward practices that build community, deepen accountability, and cultivate sustainable, gospel-rooted ministry across presbyteries and congregations. It is one small example of how our shared structures can help catch and carry the Spirit-led sparks you are tending locally. Check out the grant opportunities and timeline here: https://synodne.org/grants/ .
In my work in fund development, I hope to walk alongside you in this, helping fan those sparks into sustainable, Spirit-led funding that supports the ministries God is already growing among us. Please reach out! I would love to hear what you are noticing and experimenting with, and how the Synod can help share your story.arks into sustainable, Spirit-led funding that supports the ministries God is already growing among us. Please reach out! I would love to hear what you are noticing and experimenting with, and how the Synod can help share your story.
By Suzanne Campise
MDiv. Fund Development Intern
Photo by Warren on Unsplash