August 20, 2014

Let's Talk Stewardship

Ideas to get your stewardship campaign off the ground. 

The approach of fall brings the start of a new program year – and the start of what is often called ‘stewardship season.’ Many times, we start our planning process by looking at what we’ve done before, evaluating how the previous year’s campaigns worked, and searching for some fresh ideas.

For this midmonth digest, we dove deep into our archives, looking for Vestry Papers articles and ECF Vital Practices stewardship and annual campaign resources that have stood the test of time. From mission focused campaigns led by focused teams of energized volunteers to resources for identifying your asking style and links to online giving resources, this collection offers a range of ideas to help you get your 2014 campaign off the ground.

Do you find these monthly digests helpful? If so, please subscribe to ECF Vital Practices and invite your church colleagues and friends to do so as well. You will receive our midmonth digest in your inbox along with our monthly Vestry Papers publication. Also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation and think about sharing your great resources on Your Turn.

Authentic Tough Talk
Talking about parish finances doesn’t have to be difficult, but it’s impossible when you don’t have any information. In “Authentic Tough Talk,” Dick Kurth shares how changing the conversations around finances can open the process, shift the tone to relational, and help increase pledging.



Don't Inspire Guilt, Deliver Hope
Building and developing a strong team is an important part of creating an inspiring giving campaign. In "Don't Inspire Guilt, Deliver Hope," Emilia Allen shares practical steps that her stewardship team used to keep on track and avoid some common missteps. For more on building a team, see this tool, Structuring Leadership Teams, or webinar recording, Creating Strong Teams.

Blog Posts


What's Your Asking Style?: Even though they are “gifts,” pledges usually don’t flow in on their own. We need to be able to ask without fear or reservation.


Giving Thanks for New Stewardship Realities: Successful campaigns often begin with a review of what’s worked in the past and a look at what’s changed. What questions should your planning group be asking this year?

Show Me!: We throw many words around when running stewardship campaigns. How do we put those words into action?









Tools and Resources

All Saints' Mad-Libs Pledge Card: A fun pledge card that helps members to think and articulate why their congregation and personal commitment to it matters.

Pass the Plate. Or Not: Does your congregation’s website make it easy to contribute online? Here are some examples of services offered and how congregations are using them.

Year Round Stewardship: Talking About Money: Watch a recording of this webinar that focuses on the intersection of personal financial wellness and personal stewardship and how to engage discussion and reflection on this topic.

Model Intentional Giving

Reaching back into the archives, we found this article with stewardship practices from a research study that is timeless. In “Model Intentional Giving,” Laurel Johnston shares six stewardship practices that have been in use in thriving Latino congregations, and are applicable to other Episcopal congregations as well. In the research, discoveries included the importance of open and frank discussions about money and the ability to help people understand how their giving is tied to ministry.

This Month in Year-Round Stewardship
Most of us would never dream about wasting the money in the parish budget, but have we thought more carefully about the time and resources put forth by staff and volunteers? In “Time Stewardship: A New Level,” Steve Huffman shares some specific ideas for how congregations can be better stewards of our time and talents, avoiding the pitfalls of unsuccessful programs, half measures, and volunteer discouragement and burnout.