Can We Talk? About Money? IN CHURCH? Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO Ecumenical Stewardship Center
Sure, the subject of money is serious But in church, we often talk about it in a negative way.
TodaysBibleVerse.com
fivefoldministryireland.com
Freebibleimages.org
andrewscottraia.com
* Conversation * Content * Context
Conversation Does your church provide safe space for deep, meaningful conversations?
Conversation How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems Finding Our Story: Narrative Leadership and Congregational Change
Conversation Why can money conversations be so difficult?
Conversation Why can money conversations be so difficult? 1. Definition Issues 2. Culture Issues 3. Power Issues 4. Generational Issues 5. Leadership Issues
Conversation 1. Definition Issues Defining money as a part of stewardship, but not all of stewardship
Conversation 2. Culture Issues Theological Geographical Cultural
Conversation 3. Power Issues Money has power and can be a lightning rod for controversy
Conversation 4. Generational Issues
Conversation Generational Characteristics BUILDERS BOOMERS GEN X MILLENNIALS GEN Z 1945 & before 1946-1964 1965-1979 1980-2000 2001 - Save money Spend money Invest money Borrow money Denominational loyalty Congregational loyalty Program loyalty Person loyalty
Conversation 3. Leadership Issues Church as business vs. Church as ministry Difficulties for clergy Secrecy/gatekeeping issues
Content
Content Giving to Religion Over Time 1990-1994 51% 1995-1999 41% 2000-2004 38% 2005-2009 35% 2010-2017 31% Source: Giving USA Foundation GIVING USA 2018
Content 2017 Statistics Religion 31% Education 14% Human Services 12% Grant-Making Foundations 11% Health 9% Other 23% Source: Giving USA Foundation GIVING USA 2018
Content Three Types of Giving 1. Annual Giving 2. Legacy Giving 3. Major/Capital Campaign Giving
Content Three Types of Giving 1. Annual Giving regular, online, offerings, undesignated
Content Three Types of Giving 2. Legacy Giving wills & bequests
Content Three Types of Giving 3. Major Gifts/Capital Campaign not just bricks & mortar wish list
Content Three Types of Teams 1. Stewardship Team 2. Legacy Gifts Team 3. Finance Team https:///great-teams-lead-to-great-stewardship/
Content Three Types of Teams 1. Stewardship Team stewardship as discipleship connect generosity with mission & ministry regular communication & education
Content Three Types of Teams 2. Legacy Gifts Team required policies & relationships invites and celebrates gifts upholds donor intent
Content Three Types of Teams 3. Finance Team manager of gifts received & how they support mission & ministry thank the givers
We need to change the way we talk about money in Content Saying Thank You
Context
A Holistic Stewardship Definition: Christian stewardship is discipleship: how we live their lives in response to God s bounteous grace; Giving is an essential part of our life as Christian stewards: meant to be practiced generously and joyfully; God s abundance is our opportunity to be channels through which God s generosity can flow and God s love can be shared.
Context Generosity as Unity and Community Acts 4:32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
Context Generosity as Care for the Needy Matthew 25:37-40 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Context Generosity as Witness John 6:9, 11, 14 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."
Context There are only two ways to influence human behavior: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it. Very few people or companies can clearly articulate WHY they do WHAT they do. By WHY I mean your purpose, cause or belief - WHY does your company exist? WHY do you get out of bed every morning? And WHY should anyone care? People don t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it. Simon Sinek, Start With Why
Context There are only two ways to influence generosity: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it. Very few churches can clearly articulate WHY they do WHAT they do. By WHY I mean your purpose, cause or belief - WHY does your church exist? WHY do you get out of bed to go to church every Sunday morning? And WHY should anyone care? People care about WHY your church does what it does as much as WHAT it does. THAT S inspiring.
Context Connect Your Ministry to Your Money
Context Connect Your Ministry to Your Money 1. Mission Statement 2. Narrative Budget 3. Communications
Context Connect Your Ministry to Your Money 1. Mission Statement 2. Narrative Budget 3. Communications
Context Connect Your Ministry to Your Money 1. Mission Statement 2. Narrative Budget 3. Communications
Context Connect Your Ministry to Your Money 1. Mission Statement 2. Narrative Budget 3. Communications
Context Stewardship is not about what I get for myself or my church but what we want for our neighbors and the world. My understanding of stewardship was stretched and I began to make connections between fundraising inviting people to give and stewardship inviting people to live out their faith in ways that impact those around them.
Q & A
Thank You!