The model
A single philosophy, in two views.
Stewardship can be understood through the ten dimensions of how we care, and through the expanding horizon of what we care for.
View A · Ten dimensions
Click a dimensionHow we care.
Self
Stewardship of your physical, mental, financial and relational capacity so you can contribute sustainably.
Neglecting yourself eventually reduces your capacity to care for anyone or anything else.
- Rhythms of rest, learning and renewal
- Honest attention to health and finances
- Boundaries that protect long-term capacity
- Chronic depletion in the name of duty
- Neglect of health, sleep or personal finance
- Loss of the reserves needed to help others
Am I caring for the foundations that make my contribution to others possible?
View B · Expanding horizon
What we care for.
Wider stewardship does not automatically replace nearer stewardship.
Self
The person entrusted with your own foundations — body, mind, character, finances.
Higher-order stewardship cannot remain sustainable when the foundations supporting it are persistently neglected.
No claim of stewardship at a wider level should routinely destroy the people, responsibilities or systems upon which that stewardship depends.
Stewardship balance
Not all stewardship is equally sustainable.
Self-Focused Stewardship
Strong care for personal wellbeing and resources but limited contribution beyond oneself.
Martyr Stewardship
Strong concern for others or humanity accompanied by unsustainable neglect of self.
Tribal Stewardship
Strong care for one's immediate group with little concern for outsiders.
Institutional Stewardship
Protecting an organisation while neglecting its people, customers or social consequences.
Ideological Stewardship
Prioritising an abstract vision of humanity while causing harm to actual people.
Fragmented Stewardship
Strong stewardship in selected areas but serious neglect in others.
Integrated Stewardship
Different responsibilities are balanced, sustainable and mutually reinforcing.
Sustainable Stewardship = Contribution × Coherence
Contribution asks how much positive stewardship a person creates.
Coherence asks whether that stewardship is balanced and sustainable.