Mentoring model showing success
by Christian Church Foundation
More than 50 Disciples congregations have a planned giving ministry that is changing the culture of their churches and setting the stage for a new stream of income to enhance their ministries.
With assistance from the Christian Church Foundation, congregations embark on an effort that will impact their witness long into the future: Instead of being surprised by a member leaving an end-of-life gift, these congregations are creating an environment that expects legacy gifts.
"When I was a church pastor, I was saddened when persons who committed themselves to the church and the Christian faith died," said the Rev. Randy Johnson, Foundation vice president. "So many times, I was surprised the church wasn't on the list of their charitable beneficiaries. Why wouldn't people who devoted their time, energy, resources and love to the church throughout their lifetimes want to continue their support with a legacy gift to the church?"
Oftentimes, Johnson said, the church simply never asked. That's changing in these congregations - with dramatic results. One congregation went from a handful of known gift intentions to now having more than 40. Another, in just a 12-month period, has gone from having no known legacy gifts to now having 20.
The Rev. Susan Diamond, senior minister of First Christian Church, Montgomery, Ala., has seen significant change in her congregation.
"Two years ago, our Foundation representative - Randy Johnson -- shared the legacy builders concept with our permanent fund trustees," she recalled. "They were excited to hear about the difference groups like this were making in other congregations, and began to plan a series of events for those who they felt might wish to become First Christian's first legacy builders. Small groups met in homes for hors d'oeuvres and conversation. In the weeks that followed, Randy received several calls from our members for more information.
"Our legacy builders group has been established and now has 20 individuals who have placed their names as those who have committed to include the church in their estate planning. Since then, our permanent fund has more than doubled in size, and one of our faithful members who passed away last year set up her own permanent fund with the Foundation, with First Christian being the beneficiary of one fourth of the annual distribution. Indeed, the culture of the congregation is changing from one that only saw the impact one could make in their own lifetime to an impact that lasts forever!"
The Rev. Darwin Collins, Foundation vice president, said the process is unique to each congregation. It begins with the creation - or re-examination - of the church's permanent fund policy to make sure it can inspire donors with a vision of the church's future witness and detail how income will be used.
With a policy in place, church leaders work with the Foundation to learn donor-sensitive ways to include the church in their legacy plans. After these leaders' own plans are in place, they then encourage others to consider remembering the church in their estate plans.
"It is the acknowledgement of the role of the church has played in a person's life, not the amount of the gift, that is of primary importance" said Collins. "Our churches, just like our faith, are passed down from generation to generation. These planned gifts can provide a stream of income for the future so that the congregation's witness and ministry can extend even further than imagined."
Diamond, for one, is a believer. "I hope that more pastors will take the opportunity to contact their Foundation's representative and schedule regular visits. It takes building relationships and trust over time to see cultural shift and transformation. Do it for the church and for the future of the kingdom of God!"
For more information, contact the Foundation at (800) 668-8016 or [email protected].
NBA celebrates the Gift of Years
The Gift of Years project, which centers on Disciples and congregations in West Virginia and western Maryland ministering with, to, and for older adults has generated some small study group resources to share with the whole Church.
The Gift of Years project seeks to recognize and honor the gifts of wisdom - life stories, skills, achievements, faithful leadership - that older adults have to share. Within the project and ministry is also the commitment to support and care for the special needs of elders within Disciples communities.
Some of the resources available for study/small groups include:
The Rev. Thaddaeus Allen, Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia, reflects "I have been blessed with the elders and sages in our region, our congregations, and our communities. These individuals embody deep streams of grace, wisdom and life. In these moments of deep listening and connecting with one another, I believe the risen Christ is present and we open ourselves anew to the grace and love of God."
Learn more about the Gift of Years and how the NBA incubates new and emerging Disciples-related health and social service ministries. As the health and social service general ministry of the Disciples, we seek to partner with and empower these ministries so that they may grow and strengthen their effectiveness and impact of mission.
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