Encouraging Generous Hearts
Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations
1.The “norm” for congregations:
•one person is responsible for stewardship
•the annual financial stewardship campaign is the focus
•there is a focus on finance, not stewardship
•“the budget” drives the effort (held hostage to paying the
bills)
•Fund raising is at the core of most thinking and action
Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations
2. Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:
•learns and grows together in their understanding of stewardship
•at each meeting practices the marks of discipleship: praying,
reading scripture, caring for one another, serving one another
and the congregation, seeing Jesus in their midst
•is made up of people with the primary spiritual gift of faith
•stays away from “bean counting” and seeks to raise the faith of
every member of the congregation
NOT About Raising Funds . . . . BUT Faith Raising
Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations
2. (continued)
Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:
•meets once a month and plans for year round
stewardship
•are “abundance thinkers”, not “scarcity thinkers”
•is able to read the anxiety in the congregation and stand up to it
•believes and trusts that God is always up to something
good and has placed them there for mission
•helps lead the congregation into a focus beyond
themselves
Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations
2. (continued)
Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:
•openly talks about tithing and generous giving, encouraging all team
members to first fruits giving
•is accountable for mission interpretation, telling the stories of what
God is up to in their midst and in the lives of the individual members,
encourages personal testimonies on a regular basis
•develops a monthly stewardship publication for the congregation,
focusing on celebrating the mission and ministry they share
•develops and executes an annual financial stewardship program
Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations
2. (continued)
Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:
•encourages the discovery of individuals spiritual gifts and helps to
connect each person’s gifts with a particular ministry of the
congregation
Developing a Stewardship Team in Congregations
2. (continued)
Every congregation, whatever its size, should have a TEAM that:
•has the pastor involved with the work of the team, particularly the
visioning for the future
•communicates with other leadership in the congregation
•continues to equip each other for this ministry, browsing for more
tools and resources
•challenges the congregation by faithfully asking, leads the
congregation in celebrating and communicating what God is up to in
their midst, and consistently thanks everyone for their part in the
ministry, large or small.
Is constantly recruiting people with the gifts to expand the team
OK!
Now . . . if I have a team
developing what is the next step?
Let me give you some
ideas for you to consider
towards your
YEAR ROUND
Stewardship Program
This Workshop is About Stewardship!
What do you think about when you
hear the word STEWARDSHIP?
What do these
two items have
in common?
Of all the things we
own, we probably
keep the closest eye
on our cars.
•Watch the gas gauge
•Watch the miles
•Watch the oil
•Check the tire pressure
•Keep it washed & polished
•Keep it tuned up before vacation
•Etc. Etc. Etc. . . .
Requires the same
year round
maintenance in our
congregations.
•Temple Talks
•Monthly News Articles
•Weekly Bulletin Announcements
•Mission Activity
•Youth Activity
•Community Events
•Social Education &Training
•Reaching Out to Someone in Need
Keeping the people in the pews informed
Don’t ASSUME that everyone
knows what is happening.
AND
Don’t ASSUME that everyone
is giving as much as they can.
Don’t Be
For Example
Each Month
Will Have Different Subject and Focus, so Mix and Match
Did you know that 10%
was the REQUIRED Tithes
in the Old Testament
Imagine MY
Surprise when
the Average
Lutheran Giving
is only 1.8%
Today