July 26, 2011
Stewardship season is just around the corner...
How meaningful will your next annual stewardship campaign be?
In the midst of bitter debates about the U.S. debt ceiling and increasing fears of rattled markets, our congregations’ annual stewardship campaigns can be about a lot more than money alone. The message of stewardship can fall like fresh rain amidst such acrimonious debates, if only we are willing to go beyond the usual written appeal and sermon on “Stewardship Sunday.”
My colleagues and I have compiled a few of the best - and most meaningful - stewardship resources that are available on ECF Vital Practices.
In Lessons from an Annual Giving Campaign, David Posterero shares the congregation-led model that Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio developed in response to the 2009 economic downturn. Lay involvement (and empowerment!) is a key component of this campaign.
Can stewardship be fun? Beau Surratt of All Saints Chicago shared the following Mad-Libs Pledge Card in the Your Turn section of ECF Vital Practices. This has proven to be one of our most popular resources, undoubtedly because of it's creative approach to a subject that can be pretty dry at times. “When I explain what I love best about All Saints, I mention the [noun] and [noun]...”
In Model Intentional Giving, Laurel Johnston, Officer for Stewardship for the Episcopal Church, shares the six best stewardship practices of vibrant Latino congregations. As it turns out, these are applicable to most Episcopal churches and serve as a good outline for the different components of a campaign.
The Spirituality of Stewardship:
Henri Nouwen’s book The Spirituality of Fundraising can serve as a helpful guide for congregational leaders who are struggling to find God in the midst of pledge cards and fundraising goals. Anne Ditzler notes “I recommend [this book] to every group of church folks embarking on fundraising or stewardship efforts. It’s the kind of publication that’s great for personal devotion or small group study.”
In Stewardship: Grass Half Full, Richelle Thompson writes about a struggling, Appalachian parish that decides to make a significant gift to Haiti. This despite the fact that “the list of expenses was long...”
Do members of your congregation tithe? In The Giving Connection Anne Ditzler writes about her personal journey toward tithing. “My decision to tithe in the midst of economic uncertainty was decidedly a spiritual practice. I had to start giving away more to counteract my fear of having less.”
Practical Tools:
Can members of your congregation pay their pledges online? Pass the Plate. Or not. contains resources and best practices for online giving.
Hablando de la Mayordomía is a Spanish-language blog post and video focusing on the need to speak about stewardship from the pulpit and in lay testimonials. ¿Cómo podemos iniciar conversaciones sobre la mayordomía y generosidad en nuestras feligresías?
Henri Nouwen’s book The Spirituality of Fundraising can serve as a helpful guide for congregational leaders who are struggling to find God in the midst of pledge cards and fundraising goals. Anne Ditzler notes “I recommend [this book] to every group of church folks embarking on fundraising or stewardship efforts. It’s the kind of publication that’s great for personal devotion or small group study.”
In Stewardship: Grass Half Full, Richelle Thompson writes about a struggling, Appalachian parish that decides to make a significant gift to Haiti. This despite the fact that “the list of expenses was long...”
Do members of your congregation tithe? In The Giving Connection Anne Ditzler writes about her personal journey toward tithing. “My decision to tithe in the midst of economic uncertainty was decidedly a spiritual practice. I had to start giving away more to counteract my fear of having less.”
Practical Tools:
Can members of your congregation pay their pledges online? Pass the Plate. Or not. contains resources and best practices for online giving.
Hablando de la Mayordomía is a Spanish-language blog post and video focusing on the need to speak about stewardship from the pulpit and in lay testimonials. ¿Cómo podemos iniciar conversaciones sobre la mayordomía y generosidad en nuestras feligresías?
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