OVER-ALL STEWARDSHIP PLANNING - PART 1
I’ve been talking about “tactics”
for stewardship including the relationship of stewardship and discipleship,
metrics and saying thank you. Hopefully, all good stuff. Hopefully, some stuff
you’re able to use.
But I get it…there’s a lot of
information, and a lot that needs to be done for effective stewardship planning.
I don’t know about you but my to do list can seem pretty daunting, and then
there are the tasks that never make that list!
So here is the first part of a
list of items to help you organize your planning for stewardship and
generosity:
1. Preaching series – what series will you use this year…and
next…and next?
2. Teaching in small groups - there is so much material out
there about stewardship, giving and generosity. Limiting it to four weeks once
a year (if we’re lucky), totally focused on giving to support the church’s
budget isn’t enough!
3. Monthly planning for offerings - I’ve talked about sharing
stories and talking about generosity when we’re getting to the time in the
service where people are being asked to share their gifts. I don’t know about
you, but sometimes your mind goes blank, doesn’t it? It would probably be
helpful to you, and to others who introduce the giving/offering time, to have
themes, talking points or scripts. We don’t have to “wing it”.
4. Giving updates – I know there are some that put a weekly
update in the bulletin. Often it comes across very negative because our giving
doesn’t come in regularly and it doesn’t match our expenses. Maybe a monthly
update with comments, in the newsletter or on the church website makes the most
sense.
5. Tell stories of impact – People are giving through the church
to change lives. Tell the stories of how that is happening.
6. Tell stories of giving – Stories of impact are how the
money has benefited someone. Stories of giving are how sharing and being a
giver has impacted the givers themselves.
Next week, I’ll share more items for
the list of organizing for planning for stewardship and generosity. Stay tuned!
Please
feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or susanranous@unyumc.org if you’d like help
organizing the generosity and giving in your church!
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