In my Wheatake 9, I looked at the meaning of Premiership as understood by B. V. Islanders. In this reflection I am taking a glance at Governance and Stewardship as it applies to the Premiership.
Governance focuses on setting policies and Stewardship focuses on the enforcement of those policies. Stewardship includes the ethical responsibility to act on behalf of others and to honour the responsibility of service rather than the pursuit of individual interests. Good Srewardship should foster a culture of responsibility and transparency. It should bring positive long term ýbenefit to the public. It involves public disclosure and reporting of efforts. For instance B. V. Islanders have a right to know where the money comes from to build a public school.
John Wesley, Founder of Methodism gives us a formula for good stewardship as follows:
Do all the good you can.
In all the ways you can.
By all the means you can.
In all the ways you can.
In all the places you can
At all the times you can.
To all the people you can.
As long as ever you can.
Kafi Annan also reminds us that we should ..." be good stewards of the earth we inherited....If we are to go on living together on this earth we must all be responsible for it." That includes the resources of the earth including humankind. As head of the govrnment of the Territory the Premier is Chief Steward of its resources and is accountable to the public for that trust they placed in him/her. Hear the word of God as recorded in 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in various forms. Be faithful my friends.
- Dr. Charles H. Wheatley