The Beginning of a Transformed Church ACKNOWLEDGMENT DAY INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA 111 Fifth Avenue New York City Interchurch Topical Calendar JANUARY Period for Prayer and Evangelism FEBRUARY Christian Stewardship Educational Period February 22. Stewardship Acknowledg- ment Sunday February 29. Life Service Enlistment Sunday MARCH Pre-Easter Period for the Deepening of the Spiritual Life EASTER SUNDAY National Ingathering Day APRIL United Financial Campaign Preceded by Educational Campaign on Inter- church Objectives February Stewardship Catechism I Who Designated February as the Inter- church Stewardship Period? Representatives of the various denominational forward movements at the Atlantic City Confer- ence made the recommendation to the Interchurch Executive Committee. II Why Was a Stewardship Educational Period Necessary? Because a tide of Stewardship is arising in nearly every communion demanding a revival of study of the scriptural teachings of Christian Steward- ship especially in relation to life and property. The final solution of the industrial problems, to say nothing about other problems more immedi- ately related to the evangelization of the world, waits for a new emphasis upon God’s Ownership and Man’s Stewardship. “The money that belongs by every right to God but is kept back from him by his people is probably the greatest hindrance to vital spirit- uality that there is in the world today.” — Selected. February Stewardship Catechism HI Who Designated Sunday, February 22, as Stewardship Acknowledgment Day? It was recommended by the Stewardship Repre- sentatives of the various communions at a confer- ence in New York called by the Stewardship De- partment of the Interchurch World Movement. IV What is the Purpose of the Stewardship Acknowledgment Sunday? To secure a nation-wide emphasis upon the “first- fruits” principle that a genuine belief in God’s Ownership and Man’s Stewardship requires an acknowledgment in the way of a first proportion of income to be used for the Kingdom of God. “We need some practical abiding principle like this to make sure that the principle of steward- ship is a reality in our lives, and that we do not inwardly find ourselves swept into self-decep- tion .” — Robert E. Speer. V What Program is Suggested for Steward- ship Acknowledgment Sunday? Each Pastor is urged to make his own program involving at least two features; 1. A sermon on Christian Stewardship emphasizing the “acknowl- edgment” principle; 2. An enrolment by card of Christian stewards preferably by parish visitation. February Stewardship Catechism VI Is Any Other Method of Enrolment Sug- gested? Yes, in the public congregation, Sunday school, young peoples and other societies, but these will evidently be incomplete unless followed by the canvass of the entire membership. VII Where Can Stewardship Enrolment Cards be Obtained? At your own denominational headquarters ; or the Interchurch Stewardship Enrolment Card can be secured at 111 Fifth Avenue, New York. VIII What Other Methods are Suggested for Making the February Period more Ef- fective? A series of Stewardship sermons preceding the Acknowledgment Day on February 22 will more certainly educate the parish and insure intelligent cooperation. If definite sermon helps are not available at your own denominational headquar- ters a suggested outline for a series of Steward- ship sermons has been prepared by the Inter- church World Movement. A chapter of the February Stewardship Catechism Stewardship text-book, “The New Christian,” is devoted to such outlines together with programs suggested hereafter in this pamphlet. IX Are Stewardship Pamphlets Available for Parish Distribution? Yes, the best literature in several communions has been selected. Catalog sent free of literature, charts and other helps. X Have Helps Been Prepared for Steward- ship Education in the Sunday School? Yes, two series of Stewardship Programs de- signed to be used in connection with the opening service have been prepared by the Interchurch World Movement, at a nominal price in pamphlet form. XI What Stewardship Study Class Text- books are Available for the February Period? “The Acid Test,” by David McConaughy (paper 50 cents, cloth 75 cents), and “The New Chris- tian,” by Ralph S. Cushman (paper 25 cents, cloth 50 cents). Orders will be filled from Inter- church Movement headquarters. February Stewardship Catechism XII What are Other Suggested Programs? “The True Story of a Live-Wire Stewardship Reading Contest” will be sent free for use in women’s societies. It can be used in any church and will arouse the entire parish. XIII What is the Ten Million Christian Stew- ardship League? The Ten Million League of Christian Stewards is a league of all persons in every communion, who, in loving loyalty to their Lord, purpose to set apart a definite first proportion of income as an acknowledgment of God’s ownership and their stewardship. Each communion is to make its own interpretation of Christian stewardship principles and the total enrolments will compose the final count of the league of Ten Millions. XIV Where Can Additional Information be Obtained? From Stewardship Department, Interchurch World Movement, 111 Fifth Avenue, New York City. “One more revival, only one more is needed; the revival of Christian stewardship, the consecration of the money power to God. When that revival comes, the kingdom of God will come in a day." — Horace Bushnell. PritinplpB fax (Efinatian ^tftwarhalitp 1. God is owner of all things. 2 . Every man is a steward and must give account for all that is entrusted to him. 3. God’s ownership and man’s steward- ship ought to be acknowledged. 4. This acknowledgment requires, as part of its expression, the setting apart for the extension of the kingdom of Christ such a portion of income as is recog- nized by the individual to be the Will of God.* 5. The separated portion ought to be ad- ministered for the kingdom of God and the remainder recognized as no less a trust. *NOTE: Most Christian Stewards begin with the tenth. The proportion should increase as income increases. The Federal Income Tax Law exempts to 15 per cent, of income given for purposes of religion, charity, etc. No. 334. I. 60. Dec. T9.