Stewardship and the gift of communication

The discipline of stewardship is one of the clearest ways we live out our faith. It is how we respond to God’s goodness, by offering back our time, talent and treasure in service of His creation.

Communicating that call to stewardship takes many forms. It happens in everyday conversations, in our collaboration with clergy and lay leaders, and in the preaching that shapes the life of our parishes. These personal and relational avenues are indispensable. Yet they are not sufficient on their own. The Church must also proclaim this message more broadly and intentionally. Without a clear and committed voice, the work of stewardship risks being hidden – like a lamp placed under a bushel.

This is where our diocese’s Communications department plays a vital role. Through websites, newspapers, direct mail and video production, communications teams extend the reach of the Church’s mission far beyond what any single ministry could accomplish. They ensure that the story of God’s work, lived out through His people, is told clearly, faithfully and widely.

Since joining our diocese in 2003, my principal partner in this work has been Canon Stuart Mann, director of Communications. Stuart and his team have not only supported but actively strengthened our stewardship efforts. They have helped shape our communications strategy, promoted stewardship education initiatives, and brought visibility to annual appeals and major giving campaigns.

Year after year, Stuart has attended the Bishop’s Company Dinner – not as a guest, but as its careful interpreter. He has consistently distilled keynote addresses, captured the spirit of the evening, and reported on its outcomes with clarity and grace. In all my years, he has never missed one.

His commitment extends further. Stuart has ensured that the good news of stewardship has been shared across our diocese, regularly making space in The Anglican to report on the progress and results of FaithWorks. He has also provided invaluable guidance on major communications initiatives, including video production for the Our Faith-Our Hope capital campaign (2010–2012), the John Strachan Trust campaign for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation (2018–2019), and milestone efforts for FaithWorks.

On a personal note, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to write “The Steward,” a monthly column in The Anglican. This platform has become an important means of forming and educating readers about the essential role stewardship plays in the life and ministry of the Church.

On June 1, Stuart retires from his vocation as director of Communications – a retirement that is well earned. If I were to summarize Stuart’s ministry in three words, they would be these: diligence, faithfulness and reliability. His steady hand has made much of this work possible, and his witness has strengthened the Church in ways that will endure well beyond his tenure. For that, I am deeply grateful.