Stewardship Goes Viral

Transcription

1 Stewardship Goes Viral CC Image by Kevin Dooley Adam J. Center for Stewardship Leaders Luther Seminary

2 (The Edge = different Adam J. Copeland)

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6 Tithe.ly

7 Image by Dominik - Robert Stadler s question mark installation in Paris

8 How do we manage the relationships with those who give thanking, asking, being transparent, telling our story?

9 How do we address the fact that our members give to non-profits and other charitable causes beyond our congregation?

10 How, practically speaking, do we collect the money?

11 Proposition The typical U.S. practice of collecting offering in physical plates and bringing them to the table is suspect for reasons historical, theological, liturgical, and practical

12 Proposition con t embracing digital giving as a primary method of receiving financial offerings allows for a renewed, even more faithful theology around the offering.

13 HISTORICAL

14 the largest instance of privatization in all of American history (8)

15 progressive sacralization of finance clergy sought approaches that would bring about predictable, reliable, and faithful giving

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19 Reverend Samuel Stein, Zion Lutheran Church Springfield, OH The one and best envelope to introduce is the Weekly Duplex Envelope System. This system is recognized practically by all Protestant denominations as the most successful method at the present time for congregations to raise money for their own up-keep and for benevolences.

20 Reverend Samuel Stein, Zion Lutheran Church Springfield, OH It has been stated that if all Protestant churches would adopt it, it would add eighty million dollars for local church support and twenty-five million for benevolences. (Hudnut- Beumler 105)

21 NOT divinely ordained

22 THEOLOGICAL

23 What s the point of the offering? All belongs to God Symbols of broader offering Public affirmation & invitation Practically à gets the $

24 Matt. 6:1-4 Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

25 CC Image by St. Luke s Episcopal Church

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27 give gratefully, freely, cheerfully, generously, obediently, and intentionally

28 Ideally, I do not think that it is best to pay our pledge by putting money in the offering that is collected at worship services. They are better ways to pay it better for practical reasons and also for religious ones

29 In our modern world, the absolute best way to pay a pledge may be through automatic funds transfers a modern equivalent for giving the first fruits of our produce (Proverbs 3:9). (146)

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31 Churchgoers have significant preferences toward electronic giving options

32 LITURGICAL

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34 would the experience of celebrating the Eucharist be lessened if we didn t collect financial gifts before and bring them to the table? should we have communion without collecting and presenting a financial offering?

35 the offering expresses the giving of oneself in service (259) the Offering is the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist (252)

36 Justin Martyr (2 nd Century) the wealthy who are willing, make contributions, each as they please, and the collection is deposited with the presider, who aids orphans and widows, those who are in want because of sickness or some other reason, those in prison, and visiting strangers in short, the presider takes care of all in need (1 Apology 67).

37 Gordon Lathrop Word the poor Meal

38 CC Image by St. Luke s Episcopal Church

39 The gifts of money or gifts in kind should be gathered with as little ostentation as possible (228)

40 After the offering is gathered, the assembly stands. Bread, wine, money, and other gifts may be brought forward (106).

41 Setting the table Walter Bouman

42 CC Image by St. Luke s Episcopal Church

43 Dirk Lange The possibility today of contributing our pledge through online services is a wonderful opportunity. Our offering for the maintenance of the parish, its pastor and staff, etc. can now all be accomplished simply and effectively and regularly.

44 Dirk Lange This frees the liturgical moment of the offering during the Sunday worship to be truly an offering for the neighbor, the poor and all in need.

45 PRACTICAL

46 So now what? 1. Gifts primarily digital, not cash or check

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48 So now what? 1. Gifts primarily digital, not cash or check 2. Embrace theology made possible by digital giving

49 Galileo Church, Forth Worth This week I shared with the church ELECTRONICALLY via Paypal, EFT, or billpay. Thanks be to God! This week I shared with the church MY TIME AND ENERGY for our good work together. Thanks be to God! This week I shared with the church MY HEART AND PRAYERS for our ongoing life together. Thanks be to God! This week I shared with the world IN AMAZING WAYS you haven t even thought of yet. Thanks be to God!

50 So now what? 1. Gifts primarily digital, not cash or check 2. Embrace theology made possible by digital giving 3. reclaim this historic connection between being fed at the Table and sharing food with our neighbors

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52 Thanks. CC Image by Kevin Dooley Adam J. Center for Stewardship Leaders Luther Seminary