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Generosity Gems
August e-Newsletter
Setting the Calendar for Year-round Stewardship
While New Year's is the time for resolutions, the fall may be a better time to implement a change of behavior in the life of a congregation. The fall brings new programming and renewed energy, and there is a focus on reconnecting with friends and a return to a more regular schedule.
Fall is also the season when many churches gear up for an Annual Stewardship Response Program. This is also an excellent time to put into place a year-round stewardship emphasis. After all, we are stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and this requires that we take hold of our responsibilities as stewards each and every day of the year. As spiritual leaders, we model good stewardship through our regular giving and on-going communication and educational efforts. Setting goals, developing a plan, and putting the action-steps on the calendar for the coming 12 months are the first step in growing steward givers in your congregation.
Here are some ideas for incorporating a focus on stewardship year-round in the life of your congregation:
Select 12 ministries that are supported through the giving of your members and are impacting people's lives. Highlight one ministry a month in your newsletter, possibly using a quote from a participant in the ministry of what it means to them. Be sure to say "Thank You" to the members of your congregation for their generous support of the particular ministry. Ask someone involved in the leadership of the ministry to write the article. Twice a month include at least one petition in your prayers relating to stewardship. Give thanks to our generous God, and celebrate God's generous people in your congregation. The website of Generous Giving (www.generousgiving.org) has a resource section which includes prayers that you may find helpful.
Identify one Sunday or weekend a month where children will be invited to collect the loose change from the adults in worship. Have the children bring the money forward, possibly putting it into a special container such as a large offering plate.
Send out quarterly giving statements to those who give. Include in the statements a word of thank you along with a story of a ministry that is impacting someone's one's life. You can put it this way: "Your gifts make a difference!"
Schedule a steward giver four times a year to share the joy they receive in giving. This can be done either before worship or immediately prior to collecting the offering.
Commit to two sermon series during the next twelve months focusing on God's abundance and our responsibility as God's stewards.
By taking the time now to put some or all of these ideas on your calendar for the next twelve months, you will help ensure that these actions will actually be accomplished. By working the plan, God will help to grow a spirit of generosity in your congregation and raise up generous givers.
Written by Jonathan Buuck, Program Director, The James Company
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