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!