Stewardship 101a Growing Stewardship Ministry In Your Congregation S
Devotion Psalm 145 8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,* slow to anger and of great kindness. 9 The LORD is loving to everyone* and his compassion is over all his works. 10 All your works praise you, O LORD,* and your faithful servants bless you. 11 They make known the glory of your kingdom* and speak of your power;
Devotion 12 that the peoples may know of your power* and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an ever- lasting kingdom;* your dominion endures through- out all ages. 14 The LORD is faithful in all his words* and merciful in all his deeds. 15 The LORD upholds all those who fall;* he lifts up those who are bowed down.
Devotion 16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD,* and you give them their food in due season. 17 You open wide your hand* and satisfy the needs of every living creature. 18 The LORD is righteous in all his ways* and loving in all his works. 19 The LORD is near to those who call upon him,* to all who call up- on him faithfully. 20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;* he hears their cry and helps them.
Devotion The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, and you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature. Amen Psalm 145:15-16
Some Opening Questions? What is the most important message about money you have received from the church? How has the church helped you to be a wise steward of God s gifts?
Stewardship 101a In our time together we will share with you the following to assist in Growing Stewards in your congregation. Biblical and Faith Foundations of Stewardship Holistic Year Round Approaches to Stewardship Six Doors of Giving Ask Thank Tell Choosing and Implementing Effective Stewardship Response Methods
Biblical and Faith Foundations of Stewardship The behavior of well formed stewards is grounded in their beliefs about their relationship with God. Well formed stewards Trust in God s abundance Are grounded in biblical and theological principles Posses a holistic perspective of stewardship Perceive a connectedness in giving and ministry Engage the world through giving Embrace financial health as an expression of faith
Well Formed Stewards Trust God s abundance. As caretakers of all that we have and are, we are called and freed to participate in and with God s generosity for the sake of the health of the whole. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. Malachi 3:10
Well Formed Stewards Are grounded in biblical and theological principles Giving is shaped and grounded in biblical and theological principles. God s Word and teaching shapes the givers approach to sharing their gifts. Therefore do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33
Well Formed Stewards Possess a holistic perspective of stewardship We are stewards of our whole lives including our time, energy, wisdom, bodies, money and other resources. Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. Proverbs 9:9-11
Well Formed Stewards Perceive a connectedness in giving and ministry Stewardship is corporate; that is, it expresses a fundamental connectedness within the body of Christ. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:43-47
Well Formed Stewards Engage the world through giving We give through this church, not to this church. Non-ELCA agencies/initiatives that can and do align with God s purposes. We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4
Well Formed Stewards Embrace financial health as an expression of faith Our relationship with money is an integral part of our relationship with God. We have an understanding of the power that money can hold in our family, church and community. The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Questions For Your Consideration What scripture story has shaped your stewardship journey? How do the members of your congregation engage the world through faithful stewardship?
Practicing Holistic Year Round Stewardship Six Doors of Giving from: Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church Kennon Callahan Ask, Thank,Tell from: Ask, Thank, Tell Charles Lane
A Year Round Approach To Stewardship Six Doors of Giving
Six Doors Of Giving Spontaneous Giving People give on impulse not just planning. A spontaneous giving invitation focuses on a worthwhile cause. It may be a major opportunity that has newly emerged. Or it may be a sudden emergency need (a fire in the community or people recovering from a natural disaster). Especially important for young adults. Many congregations will have opportunities for three to five spontaneous giving invitations during the course of the year.
Six Doors Of Giving Major Community Worship Giving This opportunity for giving is based upon special worship opportunities where there is an increased attendance in the congregation. The issue is not as much about giving as it is about welcoming and inviting those may not usually be in worship. Festival events: Christmas and Easter. Community events: Worship in the Park, Blessings of the Backpacks, Harvest Blessing, etc. Congregation Milestone Events: Baptism Recognition, Confirmation, Beginning Sunday School, Graduation, Retirement, Significant Anniversaries, etc.
Six Doors Of Giving Special Planned Giving This is giving towards a special cause that has long term significance for God s mission. Focus is more on ministry than mortar. Often done in connection with a season: Lent, Advent, Thanksgiving, etc. Can be a local need: Habitat for Humanity, School Supplies, Women s Shelter, Christmas gifts, etc. Can be a global or larger church concern: Lutheran World Hunger Appeal, Missionary Support, Good Gifts Fair, Seminary Student, etc. Some Congregations: Cause of the month, Noisy Offering.
Six Doors Of Giving Short Term Major Project Giving (Capital Campaigns) This giving appeals to those who are motivated to give generously to a short-term project or something they can see and touch. Often these giving opportunities are drawn across a three-year pledge horizon. If the congregation is focusing on brick and mortar issues, it may be helpful to offer a mix of projects oriented to mission projects or growing ministry staff. This helps motivates giving because givers see that the gifts will grow ministries.
Six Doors Of Giving Enduring Giving This planned giving assists members in leaving a legacy to the congregation, the larger church or other worthy causes. It is important that congregations should have clear policies and procedures for memorial gifts, major legacy gifts, and endowments. These policies should reflect the congregations vision for mission and ministry. Enduring giving opportunities should be promoted with some frequency to allow people the opportunity to make legacy decisions during their life and estate planning.
Six Doors Of Giving Annual Budget Giving This is about the week to week offerings that support the mission of our congregation. An important part of annual budget giving is helping our members see that a budget is more about ministry and mission than it is about numbers or dollars. Another important part of this giving is to remember it is not as much about raising funds as it is about growing disciples. Our efforts need to reflect our belief that giving and generosity central to following Jesus. Because of the importance of growing disciples and supporting the mission God has given our congregation, our annual campaigns need to be planned with care and carried out well.
Year Round Stewardship Ask, Thank, Tell Improving Stewardship in Your Congregation by Charles R. Lane
ASK, THANK, TELL Ask Some gifts go ungiven because people aren t asked to consider giving or growing in their giving. Ask As you ask people to give, especially in an Annual Stewardship Campaign, offer guidance for how they might grow in their financial stewardship. Ask Offer multiple ways to give to and through the congregation (Six Doors of Giving), always recognizing that not everyone will respond to every invitation.
ASK, THANK, TELL Thank Create a culture of thanksgiving in your congregation. Begin with recognizing God s gifts and then extend to that thankfulness to the gifts (financial, time, service, etc.) given within the congregation Thank Look for multiple ways to say thank you. Do it in newsletters, bulletins, announcements, thank you notes, in person, etc. Thank - Involve the lots of people in saying thank you: pastor(s), Congregation Council, Committee and Team chairs, etc.
ASK, THANK, TELL Tell Invite members to tell stories in worship of how the gifts given by your members make a difference in your congregation and community. Tell A picture is worth a thousand words! Well done brochures, bulletin boards, or power point slide shows are a wonderful way to tell the story of your congregation s mission. The more faces, the better. Tell As part of the ELCA and the SW MN Synod, we are joined to a mission that reaches across our state and around the world. Help people know why their gifts matter.
Questions For Your Consideration How does your surrounding community see God s generosity lived out in your setting? How do people in your congregation hear the words Thank You for their stewardship? What new ways of saying thank you can you imagine?
Annual Response Methods Congregational Mailing Uses direct mail and stewardship messages to encourage the support of ministry by all member households. Mailings are used to emphasize biblical stewardship, outline ministries of the congregation, highlight church wide ministries, and invite members to respond. Often these mailings are complimented by temple talks, and stewardship sermons two weeks prior to a commitment opportunity.
Annual Response Methods Congregational Dinner This response method combines a positive stewardship message with member fellowship. This is a special occasion with a catered menu (dinner or desert), lay speakers, and entertainment (choir, drama, other entertainment. The first hour is a meal. The second hour is for brief talks and entertainment.
Annual Response Methods Consecration Sunday This method raises the level of consciousness about stewardship, builds an understanding of proportionate giving and increases the level of individual giving to the church, rather than to raise the church budget. This is accomplished through temple talks, a leader dinner, an invitation to respond during worship and a special brunch or lunch. This method uses an outside leader.
Annual Response Methods Congregational Relay This method provides a systematic method of personally contacting each household by relaying a satchel through a series of routes or trails. Information focusing on being members in the Body of Christ, the ministries of the congregation, and the role of God s stewards is placed in the satchel and relayed from household to household. The satchel includes an invitation to make a faith commitment and then is returned to the church.
Annual Response Methods Congregational Mission Week This method combines a positive stewardship message with a mission emphasis and includes small group gatherings with Bible Study, culminating with a Mission Party. The purpose is twofold: to recognize and express gratitude to those members who give so generously of their time and talents to the outreach of the congregation and to motivate additional members to recognize their gifts and become more active in the life of the congregation.
Annual Response Methods Congregational Small Groups The emphasis of this method is a relaxed, informal atmosphere to talk about faith and steps to become a better steward. Like the early church, members gather in homes or a convenient site to learn about God s love, the Scriptures and the ministries of the church. These small group meetings of the congregation are invited to attend a meeting and make a response.
Annual Response Methods Congregational Visits This method is based on a personal visit with as many members as possible. Visits may be done by trained individuals or pairs. They may be done in homes, at church or over lunch. The visit focuses on sharing faith, strengthening relationships, discussing new areas of ministry or needs and inviting a response. Visits may be more effective when visits are made to people who already have a relationship or share common interests. Temple talks, bible study, stewardship sermons and follow-up are recommended for this method to be most effective.
Questions For Your Consideration What are the reasons for a congregation to carry out an annual stewardship response? What financial response methods have been the most successful for your congregation? What made them successful?
Discussion What is the most important thing you learned in our time together? What one or two ideas would you like to take with you to incorporate into your congregational stewardship ministry?
Closing Prayer You Give And We Receive Prayer of Walter Brueggemann