Rev. Richard Hogue Says Stewardship Builds a Future with Hope

The Rev. Richard Hogue, Canon for Congregational Life at St. Paul’s Cathedral, is calling on the congregation to increase its financial commitments as the institution enters a high-stakes leadership transition. In a letter addressed to the cathedral community, Hogue argues that the success of the 2027 stewardship campaign, titled “A Future with Hope,” will serve as a primary indicator of the cathedral’s health for potential candidates seeking to become the next dean.

This appeal comes at a moment when the cathedral is actively searching for new leadership. Hogue frames the current pledge drive not merely as a budgetary necessity, but as a strategic signal to the outside world. He suggests that whoever is appointed as the next dean will closely observe how the community responds during this “in between” season, using the level of financial support as a proxy for the congregation’s commitment to its future mission.

A $1.09 Million Target for 2027

The financial stakes for the upcoming year are specific and incremental. According to the letter, the cathedral’s 2026 commitments totaled $1,054,972, which slightly exceeded the previous goal of $1,050,000. For the 2027 campaign, Hogue has set a new pledge goal of $1,092,000.

This increase is not arbitrary. Hogue attributes the higher target to two primary drivers: an expanding mission during the leadership transition and a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for staff. The latter adjustment follows specific recommendations provided by the Diocese of San Diego to ensure staff compensation keeps pace with economic pressures.

Campaign Year	Pledge Goal	Actual Commitments
2026	$1,050,000	$1,054,972
2027	$1,092,000	TBD

The Psychology of Stewardship During Transition

Hogue connects the act of giving to a broader sense of generational responsibility, citing his own relationship with his twin sons as a model for how generosity is remembered and passed down. He argues that the current community must now embrace the responsibility of stewarding the cathedral’s future for the generations that follow.

The timing of the appeal coincides with the week of All Saints’, a period Hogue uses to acknowledge the disciples who shaped the community in the past. By linking historical legacy with current financial needs, he posits that faithful giving is the mechanism that ensures St. Paul’s remains a place to “Love Christ, Serve Others, and Welcome All.”

The “so what” of this appeal extends beyond the balance sheet. By meeting or exceeding the $1,092,000 goal, the cathedral aims to provide potential applicants with “confidence in our future and hope for their ministry.”

Rev. Richard Hogue Says Stewardship Builds a Future with Hope

Maintaining Operations Amidst Vacancy

While the search for a new dean dominates the strategic conversation, Hogue emphasizes that the cathedral’s daily functions cannot pause. He notes that the financial resources gathered through the stewardship campaign are what sustain the core pillars of the institution: worship, formation, outreach, pastoral care, music, and hospitality.

There is an inherent tension in asking for more funds during a period of leadership vacancy.

Hogue anchors this optimism in the biblical promise of Jeremiah 29:11, asserting that God leads with hope even when circumstances feel uncertain. He expresses confidence in the community’s ability to respond, citing a history of “Spirit-led generosity” as the foundation for the 2027 goal.

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