September 2018
Practical Stewardship

Editor's Letter September 2018

Dear Friends,

How do we approach stewardship? What are the ways we practice giving and speak it to others? In this issue, we bring you practical ideas around stewardship practice that focus on giving generously and joyously, while caring for and building up what God has abundantly given us to share.

Telling people what they should do is much less effective than sharing why they should do it. In Why Would I Want To?, Jerry Keucher explains why it’s critical for the Church to make a shift from the language of obligation to the language of desire, especially when it comes to talking about money.

Fundraising is so much more than raising money; it is a way to invite others to participate in your mission and to build purposeful community around a cause. In Five Positive Ways to Ask for Money, Arik Thormahlen shares ways to prepare a well-planned appeal each time you ask for money.

What does it mean to be attentive to the gifts we’ve been given and the ways we use them? In Mindful Stewardship, Lisa Fischbeck describes what this practice looks like and practical ways to apply it to our daily lives.

Why do we give? What drives our stewardship practices? In Because God Always Gives, Rhonda Rogers recalls powerful childhood memories of generosity and stewardship in action – memories that have shaped her giving habits as an adult. This article is available in English and Spanish.

Is your church considering a capital campaign? At ECF, we have more than 25 years of campaign experience, with 92% of our clients meeting or exceeding their campaign goals. We have worked with hundreds of Episcopal organizations, creating effective leadership and step-by-step plans that have resulted in achieving financial goals, strengthened relationships, and a heightened sense of community. What makes ECF’s approach so successful? Click here to find out.

To learn more about ECF and our programs, please visit our website.

Faithfully,

Charis Bhagianathan
Editor, ECFVP

This article is part of the September 2018 Vestry Papers issue on Practical Stewardship