Mongolia: Stewardship a Matter of the Heart

April 29, 2008 Mongolia Mission Field, Mongolia 

Coming to Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia has been a wonderful experience for both teaching and learning Stewardship principles.  Dr. Erika Puni, director of the Stewardship department of the General Conference and Dr. Miguel Luna, director of Stewardship at NSD were encouraged and impressed by the eagerness of the leadership and its young ministers and missionaries to learn the “new” stewardship paradigm.  The participants enjoyed dynamic presentations with time to make observations and raise questions in addition to interactive participation in small group discussions.  The small groups were presented with specific stewardship case studies from different parts of the world field and this was an opportunity to apply the principles taught and learnt regarding the use or misuse of tithe and offering at the local church level. 

The Stewardship training ran from April 17 through 19, 2007. In his sermon on Sabbath morning Dr. Puni emphasized that stewardship is a matter of the heart.  The more than 300 people present were challenged and inspired by this presentation.  Puni asserted that stewardship is about who is number one in our lives. “Stewardship is about Jesus as Lord and King of our hearts.  Stewardship is about having a personal relationship with Him in the present ” Dr. Puni reiterated.

According to church leaders, this seminar has established a solid foundation for stewardship practice in the Mongolia Mission Field.  Pastor Paul Kotanko, director of the Mongolia Mission Field, agrees that this training program and the instructions received were necessary for the development of the church in Mongolia.  With a church membership of more than 1200 persons and growing, the mission field has matured and needs to move towards consolidation processes for future organizational growth and development. 

The leaders and participants in this educational program showed deep appreciation for the material covered and the stewardship resources shared—especially the book soon to be published by the MMF, 7 Week Spiritual Journey to a more Generous Life.  While waiting for this new resource, they now have a head start on this holistic perspective on Stewardship as a lifestyle of one who accepts Christ’s Lordship, walking in partnership with God and acting as His agent to manage His affairs on earth.  In reality, a new page is now written in the history of the Church in Mongolia with a fuller and deeper understanding of Biblical stewardship that will impact their hearts and souls for many years to come.