The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)

TENS is an association of church leaders who understand, practice, and proclaim God’s call to generosity.

We are children of God, disciples of Jesus Christ who feel called to a ministry of transformation through stewardship. We are sojourners who, along with many others, have some sense that it is through an understanding of holistic stewardship and a practice of gratitude and generosity that we will grow spiritually, that we will grow more and more into the likeness of the loving, generous God in whose image we are created. We believe that it is by virtue of our baptism that we are called to this ministry of stewardship.

Training: Our ministry is one of training stewards. We strive to point others to the experience of God’s generosity and to raise new stewards to continue this important, transforming ministry. Whether we meet virtually, or in person; through webinars, consultations, or conferences, our work is to engage in the dialogue and teaching.

Encouraging: Our ministry is one of encouraging stewards. We are continually bombarded with messages from our secular culture telling us to fight for what is ours, hold onto it, and hoard it lest someone take it away from us. Just as others have encouraged us in our ministry, we reach out to the workers in the stewardship vineyard, reminding them of the importance of this ministry and reminding them that it is a ministry of conversion. Together we can do so much through the ministry of encouragement.

Nurturing: Our ministry is one of nurture. We are grateful for the nurture of others, nurture that has enabled us to develop our stewardship stories and to learn to articulate them. We offer our witnesses as a way in which to support and encourage others.

Support: Finally, our ministry is one of support. Our gatherings, our various resources, and each of us who engage in stewardship ministry under the banner of TENS: all these components together are the support network that is TENS. We are a network of people who have been supported by those who have come before us and who now engage in this ministry of support. We are supporting each and every steward in God’s vineyard who shares this journey with us. We are stewards of what we have learned, and we strive to support others by passing on this transforming gift of spiritual life and health. 

TENS and the Diocese of Los Angeles

All congregations in the Diocese of Los Angeles are members of TENS through our long-standing partnership. As such, every congregation has access to our annual pledge campaign resources and training webinars. Visit us at www.tens.org

Please contact Davey Gerhard or Cathy Clement for more information about training, pledge materials, and the TENS network at davey@tens.org