MYTH 1: We have such elegant buildings and beautiful grounds, we must be a wealthy church.

False.  As beautiful as our church buildings and landscape appear to the public, the fact is we live 'hand-to-mouth' with a deficit continually hanging over our head.  Much of the care of our buildings, gardens, and grounds is carried out by volunteers.

MYTH 2: We have a large endowment which provides healthy operating income.

False.  This may come as a shock to many, but the fact is that St. Stephen's has only a very modest endowment ('St. Stephen's Fund').  In fact, many Episcopal parishes our size (and many who are smaller than we are) have much larger endowments than we have.  The vast majority of our annual income comes from pledge payments rather than the endowment.  Furthermore, most of the money is restricted (e.g. clergy housing allowance), and cannot be spent for any year-to-year general operating needs.

MYTH 3: We get money from the Diocese of Minnesota and the Episcopal Church.

False.  St. Stephen's receives no financial support whatsoever ($0) from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota.  We also receive no financial support ($0) from the Episcopal Church (sometimes referred to as the 'National Church' or Church Center).  So, the math here is: $0 + $0 = $0.

MYTH 4: Running a deficit is not such a big deal.  The government does it all the time.

False.  The by-laws of the parish require that the Vestry (church board) adopt a balanced budget each year.  That means if we don't have pledged income to cover our expenses, we are required - as we did this year - to make cuts to our programs or staff.

MYTH 5: We are over-staffed.

False.   St. Stephen's employs only 7 full time staff members (2 clergy, 5 lay program and support staff).  We also employ 1 one-third time priest, and a number of additional very part-time lay staff in several areas of ministry and support.  Most of our 'staff' are actually unpaid church members who do their volunteer jobs so well that they are often mistaken by parishioners for being paid professional staff.

MYTH 7: We can only give a small amount, so it really doesn't matter that we pledge.

False.  Even if your financial circumstances are challenging, a small pledge is still very helpful to the church.  By pledging, we are making a covenant with God to return a portion of what God has first given us.  At the same time, we joyfully accept shared responsibility for the financial stability of our spiritual home, just as we would for the household in which we live.

MYTH 8: Pledging is only for the "veterans" of the church.

False.  Membership at St. Stephen's is an intentional commitment to be part of something larger than yourself, to be part of a Christian community, united in our love of God and God's love of us.  All new members are asked to become stewards of the church, in the giving of their time, talent and worldly possessions.  In short, all members are expected to pledge.

MYTH 9: Giving time and talent are just as valuable as giving money, so we don't need to pledge.

False.  St. Stephen's is a place where God's work is done, both inside and outside of our walls.  We are grateful for so many who contribute their gifts of time and talent to our total ministry.  However, to continue this work requires not only hands-on involvement, but also the financial resources that come from our personal stewardship decisions.

MYTH 10: All this talk about money isn't very spiritual and goes against the church's teachings.

False.  Most people do not realize that Jesus himself spoke more about the stewardship of money than any other topic throughout his ministry.  He regularly condemned financial abuse and was concerned that every person should have a Godly understanding of how money ought to be used.  When we speak of stewardship at St. Stephen's, we are not simply talking about paying the bills.  We are asking everyone to give out of a deep gratitude for everything that God has given to them and, at the same time, support a Spirit-led community that is bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.