St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal

Rev Alan GibsonHead of StewardshipChurch of Scotland

agibson@cofscotland.org.uk

Samuel Hearne

'The weight of our baggage being so much lightened, our next day's

journey was more swift and pleasant.'

What are the BIGGEST challenges we face?What are the BIGGEST challenges we face?

Our building is soaking up all our

time and effort

Our building is soaking up all our

time and effort

We had a union and

need help!!

We had a union and

need help!!

We have lost our way – help!We have lost our way – help!

The Stewardship Conference

Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones

Format

• Set the theme: stumbling block or stepping stone• Define stewardship• Reflection• Celebrating the past – the stepping stone moments• Considering the future – the stumbling blocks• Prioritise and categorise these issues• Lunch

•Building is empty most Sundays – 90 folk at worship. No fellowship.

•We enjoyed it when heating broke down and we had to worship in the hall. It was more intimate

•Our worship is very liturgical – we begin with no sense of fellowship but immediately start with responses.

•No children or families in church

• Agree to move Sunday worship, one Sunday per month, to the church halls.

• Agree to plan this worship as an all age service, with worship and tone tailored specifically to young families.

• Commence this time of worship with bacon rolls and breakfast to foster a greater sense of fellowship

• Pay for a bus to go round the parish and transport people to/from this event

• Appoint David Arnott to lead this service

Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones

Objectives

• We have 8 people attending worship on Sundays – it’s terrible.

• The choir meets on a Wednesdays. 40 folk come along.

• The church costs a fortune to heat

• We need more folk to come to church

• Cease worship on Sundays at 11am.

• Organise a Scripture Union Club at lunch times in local Junior School once a week.

• Commence a weekly house group with prayer and worship.

• Seek to develop choir into a community choir.

• Arrange a workshop with African Children’s Choir

Challenges Objectives

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a

woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his

head.

Mark 14:3

• Mary gave everything she had.

• She had received on many occasions from her Lord. • Her commitment refused to be held back by caution.

• Her self-giving highlighted the self-centred nature of Judas, and the other disciples.

Mary

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this

waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they

rebuked her harshly. Mark 14:4,5

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Format

• Set the theme: stumbling block or stepping stone• Define stewardship• Reflection• Celebrating the past – the stepping stone moments• Considering the future – the stumbling blocks• Prioritise and categorise these issues• Lunch

• Personal reflection – Peter the rock. Stumbling block or stepping stone

• Thinking about how we can each use our time, talents and money in serving Christ

• Closing reflection

                 

St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal

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St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal

Peebles Old Parish Church Stewardship Conference

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a

woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his

head.

Mark 14:3

• Mary gave everything she had.

• She had received on many occasions from her Lord. • Her commitment refused to be held back by caution.

• Her self-giving highlighted the self-centred nature of Judas, and the other disciples.

Mary

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this

waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they

rebuked her harshly. Mark 14:4,5

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful

thing to me.”

Mark 14:6-8