Finding and Using Good Stewardship Resources

for your Ministry Setting

Chick LaneCenter for Stewardship Leaders

Luther Seminary

What does “stewardship” mean?For most people, “stewardship” is a code word.– For most congregation members, it is code for

“What the congregation does to get some of my money out of my pocket and into the offering plate.” (and my job is to give just enough to not feel guilty)

– For most congregations, it is code for “Those things we have to do to get enough money to pay the bills.” (and we know how well we have done at year end when we know if we have enough money to pay all the bills)

What does “stewardship” mean?

Until we “crack the code” (“smash the code”?) and stop connecting stewardship with paying the bills, – There is no hope for financial stewardship to

become a part of a Christian’s walk with Jesus– We are dooming ourselves to long faces every fall

The #1 Stewardship Resourceregardless of your ministry setting

The Bible

What does it say about stewardship?

It all belongs to God.

God is the creator and owner of all that is.

Psalm 24:1-2The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,the world, and those who live in it;for he has founded it on the seas,and established it on the rivers.

Psalm 89:11The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;the world and all that is in it--you have founded them.

Morning Prayer

“Into your hands we commend ourselves: our bodies, our souls, and all that is ours.”

“Into your hands we commend ourselves: our bodies, our souls, and all that is yours.”

It all belongs to God.

We are stewards.

We are stewards.

I Corinthians 4:1-2Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

We are stewards.

I Peter 4:10Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

Sty warden – the keeper of the sty.

Steward – a most important and prestigious role

Genesis 39:1-6aNow Joseph was taken down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh…bought him. The Lord was with Joseph…. His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hands. …He made him overseer in his house and over all that he had.

Steward – a most important and prestigious role

God thinks so highly of you that God has chosen to entrust some of what God owns into • your care• your management• your stewardship

Justice issues around money

Justice issues around money

• How you earn money• The duty and delight of generous living

How you earn money

Exodus 22:21-23:12 (portions)If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them….You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits….You shall not oppress a resident alien

John Wesley – “The Use of Money”

Gain all you can without hurting yourself, your family, or your neighbor. (Then save all you can. Then give all you can.)

The duty and delight of generous living

I Timothy 6:17-19As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

The duty and delight of generous living

II Corinthians 9:6-8The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.

The threat of money

Matthew 6:24No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

The threat of money is the power it can exert in our lives.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -- Luke 12:34

Where your money goes will cause your heart to go there as well.

Two resources

• Top Ten Stewardship Verses– http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_ar

chive.aspx?display_date_sent=7%2F28%2F2011

• Top Ten Little Known Stewardship Verses– http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_ar

chive.aspx?display_date_sent=8%2F10%2F2011

What does “stewardship” mean?

When the bible talks about financial stewardship, • It never talks about getting enough money to

pay the bills.• It always talks about how important it is for a

child of God to align her/his financial life with her/his life in Christ.

What does “stewardship” mean?For most people, “stewardship” is a code word.– For most congregation members, it is code for

“What the congregation does to get some of my money out of my pocket and into the offering plate.” (and my job is to give just enough to not feel guilty)

– For most congregations, it is code for “Those things we have to do to get enough money to pay the bills.” (and we know how well we have done at year end when we know if we have enough money to pay all the bills)

The most important thing you can do in stewardship ministry is to move

From “Paying the Bills”To helping people connect faith and finances in their lives.

To do this is hard work that requires year-round effort

• Vibrant Stewardship Congregation learning• The importance of talking about money when you

aren’t asking for any– Name that this is what you are doing, then don’t dare ask for

any– Sermons – (the year of Luke is a goldmine)– Adult education opportunities– People are looking for help with finances and with faith –

find appropriate resources• The importance of talking boldly about money when

you are asking for some

Resources for Stewardship Ministry

Resources for Stewardship Ministry

• Holistic year-round stewardship• Books for discussion• Ask• Thank• Tell• Generational Issues• Recommended stewardship websites

Holistic Year-Round Stewardship

Emphasize “holistic” stewardship• All of life belongs to God, and how I use all of

it is part of my relationship with my Lord• “Time, talent, treasure”– All three, not pick one– “Be most generous with the one I have the least

of”– “Volunteering” becomes “Ministry”

Holistic Year-Round Stewardship

• Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Year Round Stewardship Calendar - http://www.dwtx.org/department-ministries/stewardship/year-round-stewardship/

Holistic Year-Round Stewardship

• Year Round Stewardship Plan from the United Church of Canada - http://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2010/06/year-round-congregational-stewardship-plan/– Link to a very thorough document that lays out a

year-round plan.

Holistic Year-Round Stewardship

• ELCA Year Round Stewardship calendar - http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Discipleship/Stewardship/Year-Round-Stewardship-Communication.aspx

Holistic Year-Round Stewardship

Develop your own plan• Don’t over-do it at first• Work the plan• Be willing to adjust as you go

Books for Discussion

This can change your congregation’s stewardship and money culture • Books for your stewardship committee and

congregation council• Books for broader congregational use

Books for your stewardship committee and congregation council

• Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate or Rich Church, Poor Church by J. Clif Christopher

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=2%2F5%2F2013

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=1%2F18%2F2011

Books for your stewardship committee and congregation council

• Ministry and Money by Janet and Philip Jamieson

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=6%2F8%2F2010

Books for your stewardship committee and congregation council

• Giving to God by Mark Allen Powell

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=4%2F20%2F2010

Books for your stewardship committee and congregation council

• Ask, Thank, Tell by Chick Lane

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=3%2F14%2F2006

Books for broader congregational use

• Enough by Adam Hamilton

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=1%2F29%2F2013

Books for broader congregational use

• The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist

http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_archive.aspx?display_date_sent=8%2F14%2F2007

Ask – Annual Stewardship Response Program

• Giving Magazine - http://www.stewardshipresources.org/

Ask – Annual Stewardship Response Program

• New Consecration Sunday - http://store.augsburgfortress.org/store/search?ss=New+Consecration+Sunday&c=-1&x=28&y=16

Ask – Annual Stewardship Response Program

• Walk with Jesus – http://resources.elca.org/Stewardship-A_Walk_with_Jesus.html

Ask – Annual Stewardship Response Program

• Listing of many Annual Stewardship Response Programs with links– Iowa Annual Conference, United Methodist

Church http://www.iaumc.org/pages/detail/1461• Give some thought to donor specific asking– Generational issues– Asking for a specific amount?

Thank

General ways of thanking– With reports of giving– In worship– In newsletters

Thank

Specific ways of thanking– Pastor intentionally thanks before/after worship– Pastor writes five thank you letters per week– Congregational thanker(s)

Thank

Lessons from Luther Seminary (and many other non-profits)– How Luther Seminary thanks donors– How much of this is transferable?– What are the possibilities of giver targeted

thanking?– What are the dangers of giver targeted thanking?

Thank

• Develop your own “setting appropriate” thanking plan.– What are the various ways people will give to your

congregation?– How will you thank them for each type of gift?– Live the plan.

Tell

• The need to tell something many times using different media before the message is heard

• The knowledge gap between leaders and others

• Tell as you thank• Tie your telling to your mission• “Because of you…”• “Look what you’ve done now…”

Telling the local story

• To repeat myself – don’t assume too much knowledge

• Temple Talks (short, sweet and well-rehearsed) are effective for this task

• Tell the congregation’s story• Tell the story of the congregation in the community• Connect telling, serving and giving• This might be the best place to engage younger

members

Telling the story of designated giving

• Use the web and available print resources– http://www.luthercrest.org/– http://www.lssmn.org/– http://saintandrews.org/pages/page.asp?page_id

=159731– http://www.peopleschurch-elca.org/– http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Respond

ing-to-the-World/ELCA-World-Hunger.aspx

Telling the story of synod and churchwide

www.nwmnsynod.org http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Stories-of-Faith-in-Action.aspx

To order free copies of this publication plus shipping, call 800-638-3522, ext. 2580, or visit www.elca.org/resources and search for ELCAMA1167.

Stories of Faith in Action

Generational Issues

• Share Save Spend– http://www.sharesavespend.com/– http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/email_ar

chive.aspx?display_date_sent=4-9-2013• Stewardship with Adults under 40 Conference– http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/course.as

px?m=4494

Generational Issues

“New” ways of giving– Are we asking people to conform to “our” ways?– Automatic withdrawal as a Biblical model of giving– On-line giving– Cell phone giving– Credit card/debit card giving– “Twenty and thirty somethings” don’t write checks,

don’t carry cash, and are wary of long term commitments. Ask them what giving mechanics might help them give generously.

Some Stewardship Websites

Luther Seminary - http://www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/, or http://vibrantsteward.org– Sign up here for weekly emails

Ecumenical Stewardship Center - http://www.stewardshipresources.org/

Some Stewardship Websites

ELCA Stewardship - http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Discipleship/Stewardship.aspx

General Board of Discipleship – United Methodist Church http://www.gbod.org/lead-your-church/stewardship– Weekly offertory prayers here

Some Stewardship Websites

Stewardship of Life Institute - http://www.stewardshipoflife.org/

The Episcopal Network for Stewardship - http://www.tens.org/