Best Practices Presented by: Dr. Charles (Chuck) Zech Permeate Question 1 Both Catholics and Protestants tend to be satisfied with the level of giving received by their parishioners. 1
Giving as a Percent of Income by Denomination Unitarian-Universalist Christian Science Catholic ELCA Lutheran Episcopal Disciplines of Christ Methodist (Main) Conservative Lutheran United Church of Christ Black Methodist Presbyterian (Main) Liberal Baptist Black Baptist Jehovah's Witnesses Presbyterian (Other) Church of Christ Southern Baptists Nazarene Reformed Church of God Adventists Assemblies of God Latter-day Saints 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% Question 2 Parishioners who attend Services more often contribute more to their parish. Religious Contributions by Attendance Pattern $3,000 $2,500 $2,541 Dollar Contributions $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 $500 $287 $243 $569 $848 $405 $543 $1,468 $1,095 Catholics Protestants $0 $22 Never Seldom Monthly 2-3 times per month Attendance Pattern Weekly or more 2
Question 3 Church Members who contribute more to other, secular, causes contribute less to their Church Question 4 Churches that preach a stewardship message receive larger contributions from their members All We Have is Really a Gift From God, Who Asks Us To Return a Portion in the Form of Our Time, Talent, and Treasure To Support His Work on Earth Developing a Need to Give, Rather than Giving to a Need is an Understanding of a Total Way of Life. Conversion of Mind and Heart is Not About Something We Do, It s About Who We Are, and Whose We Are Asking Ourselves, What Do We Own, and What Owns Us? 3
Focus on Goals What We're Already Doing To bring people into a relationship with our parish/church and with the work it does in a way that makes them want to support it. To bring people into a closer relationship with God through the experiences of giving time, talent and treasure that we help to create by offering occasions where this giving is consciously evoked as a spiritual act and practice. Ideal Outcomes What We're Already Doing Parishioners make a contribution to the parish in recognition that the parish/church needs resources if it is to continue its work (that is, parishioners give to a need.) Parishioners are more generous in their gifts to the parish/church of their time, talent, and treasure because every gift becomes an occasion for and a celebration of growth in faith (that is, parishioners develop a need to give.) Philosophical and Cultural Underpinnings What We're Already Doing The philosophical and cultural root is philanthropy, "private action for public purposes". The intent is to encourage people to feel a commitment to the "common good of the parish/members", And voluntarily give of their resources material goods that they feel they own for the benefit of others. The philosophical and cultural root of stewardship is a commitment to personal and collective behavior that recognizes and honors God's ultimate ownership of and profound generosity in all things. The intent is to encourage people to see all resources as gifts temporarily entrusted to us to be used and shared to promote the welfare of all of God's creation. 4
Ultimate Objective What We're Already Doing To provide financial (and other) support for our parish, so that it may carry out the godly work to which we believe it has been called. To "build the household of God" so there will be more human and spiritual, as well as material, resources to carry out the work of building the kingdom, in whatever form that work may take. Question 5 Parishioners who plan their giving in advance contribute more to their parish than do those who decide weekly how much to contribute. 5
Questions? Using the CHAT Box On the right side of the screen: Ask a Question Offer a Comment Share an Insight Presenter Chuck Zech Moderator Tracy Stewart 6
Question 6 Parishioners who believe that they have an input into parish decisionmaking contribute more to their parish. Outcome PARISH STEWARDSHIP OUTCOMES Mean Value I. Treasure per household regular contributions $517 II. Percent of Parishioners Volunteering Time 27.4% III. Parish Spirituality Index Sum of the Percent of parishioners engaged in the following activities 46.3% Regularly attend weekday Mass Regularly attend other liturgical celebrations (e.g., adoration, rosary) Regularly attend bible study groups Regularly attend small group retreats Member of small faith group 7
Question 7 True or false Parishes with stewardship councils achieve better stewardship results than parishes without stewardship councils? Question 8 Which of the following parish stewardship activities is most effective? a. Frequent homilies on stewardship b. A parish ministry fair c. Including stewardship as part of a parish plan 8
Question 9 True or false The use of lay witnesses is an effective parish stewardship activity? 9
Question 10 Which of the following welcoming activities is most effective at building parish stewardship? a. Greeters at Mass b. Welcome wagon visit new parishioners c. New members reception Figure 9a: Four or More Welcoming Activities Percent Change 4 35% 3 25% 2 15% 1 5% 38% 26% 23% TR VOL SP 10
Question 11 Which of the following community building activities is most effective at building parish stewardship? a. Coffee/donuts after Mass b. Parish picnic c. Bingo Figure 10: Most Effective Community Building Activity Percent Change 1 8% 6% 4% 2% 8% 7% 7% 6% 4% TR VOL SP TR VOL SP TR VOL SP COFFEE/DONUTS PARISH PICNIC BINGO Figure 10a: Four or More Community Building Activities Percent Change 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% 12% 1 TR VOL SP 11
Questions? Using the CHAT Box On the right side of the screen: Ask a Question Offer a Comment Share an Insight Presenter Chuck Zech Moderator Tracy Stewart Question 12 Which of the following parish communications tools is most effective at building parish stewardship? a. Parish bulletin b. Parish newsletter c. Parish website Figure 11: Most Effective Communication Tool 25% 23% 21% 2 Percent Change 15% 1 12% 13% 16% 5% TR VOL SP TR VOL SP TR VOL SP PARISH BULLETIN NEWSLETTER WEBSITE 12
Figure 11a: Five or More Communications Media Percent Change 2 18% 16% 14% 12% 1 8% 6% 4% 2% 19% 14% 1 TR VOL SP Conclusion: Ten Activities to Advance Parish 1. Be a welcoming parish/church that takes community-building seriously 2. Appoint a Council 3. Include stewardship as a vital component of the parish/church plan 4. Emphasize stewardship in all parish/church formation and education programs 5. Minimize your use of Volunteers. 6. Provide the opportunity for lay witness presentations. 7. Encourage parishioners to make a commitment to the parish/church by pledging. 8. Communicate with parishioners on stewardship. 9. Good stewardship starts in the parish/church house. 10. Remind Parishioners that contributing through estate planning is good stewardship. 13
Remember! is First and Foremost a Spiritual Activity Thank you! 14