God's Steward Award Recipients Named at January 2004 Convocation on Development

Two people who exemply the life of the steward received the new "God's Steward" Award at the January 21-24 "Convocation on Development," held in Orlando, Florida. Sandra Kelly Lackore, general secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration, and Hilbert Berger, retired pastor and stewardship consultant, were presented the first "God's Steward" awards. In presenting the awards, Don Joiner, director of fund development at the General Board of Discipleship, said: "In recognition of their leadership and contributions in raising the level of stewardship in The United Methodist Church, we name Sandra Lackore and Hilbert Berger as God's Stewards."

Sandra Lackore, during a keynote address at the Convocation, challenged the participants identify what they would do differently because of their attendance there.

Keynote speaker Herb Miller, a stewardship author and consultant, addressed the topics "What's New in Financial Stewardship" and "Beyond a Bill-Paying Mentality." His presentations provided participants with both a vision and practical ways to fund ministry in this new economy.

Worship for the Convocation was led by Safiyah Fosua, director of invitational preaching ministries for the General Board of Discipleship, and Kwasi Kena, a staff member of the Commission on United Methodist Men.

The Convocation on Development, which was sponsored by the General Board of Discipleship, offered three tracks for participants: (1) Annual Giving, (2) Planned Giving, and (3) General Stewardship. Leaders for the Convocation included Wayne Barrett, Fred Leasure, Dan Dick, Don Joiner, Renard Kolasa, Herb Mather, Kent McNish, and Michael Reeves.

The Convocation on Development is held once every four years. For people interested in learning more about planned giving, the General Board of Discipleship is offering a Planned Giving School, January 24-28, 2005, in Phoenix, Arizona. For information, contact Don Joiner at The General Board of Discipleship, 1-877-899-2780, ext. 7080 (toll-free); e-mail: djoiner@gbod.org.

Posted 2-1-04