Best Financial Stewardship Practices for Congregations

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JesusJesus talked about money more than He did Heaven and Hell combined. Jesus talked about money more than anything else except the Kingdom of God.Heaven 11 of 39 parables talk about money. 1 of every 7 verses in the Gospel of Luke talk about money.money

30 out of the 95 thesis were about money

Martin Luther put it this way…. Many a person thinks he has God and everything he needs when he has money and property; in them he trusts and of them he boasts so stubbornly and securely that he cares for no one. Surely such a man also has a god — mammon by name, that is, money and possessions — on which he fixes his whole heart. It is the most common idol on earth. So, too, if anyone boasts of great learning, wisdom, power, prestige, family, and honor, and trusts in them, he also has a god, but not the one, true God. Therefore, I repeat, to have a God properly means to have something in which the heart trusts completely. Large Catechism: Explanation to the First Commandment

Money and possessions, and the control of them may be the deepest spiritual issue among members of our congregations and communities.

Don’t let the only time you talk about money in the church be when you are asking people to give.

Have Direct Conversations about Money How we make it (honestly and faithfully) How we manage it (what about debt) What we spend it on (wisely) How much is enough? The Lord is my Shepherd How do we minister to the unemployed?

Reasons Why People Give Belief in the mission People want to help make a difference in the world with their giving. “you are in the business of changing lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But we are doing a real good job keeping it a secret” Develop ways for people to tell their stories of what difference the ministry made in somebody’s life. At Worship In Newsletters On the Website Publish a Missional Spending Plan (make detailed budget available)

Best Annual Meeting Celebrate the ministry from the year past –In pictures, stories and stats Cast a vision for what the congregation might choose to do in the year to come What will that cost? (Spending Plan) How will we fund that? (Pledging) Who is going to lead? (Elections)

Reasons Why People Give Trust in the leader People look to the pastor to see if the efforts of the congregation are focused and have a good chance of success. “When they see a pastor who has a great vision and shows excellent skills in leadership, they will invest in that pastor’s vision and trust in his or her skills to make the hopes of the donor come true” Pastors Speak the vision for the Church Know your people’s giving patterns Choose leaders who are faithful givers Pay attention when giving stops Make sure generosity is acknowledged

Reasons Why People Give Fiscal Stability of the Institution “People don’t give to sinking ships. They give to ships that are sailing strong and have every indication of reaching their destinations” “The church is the only nonprofit I know of that seems to believe that the more you cry that you are sinking, the more people will give to you.” Project Confidence Even if giving is down, the leadership is managing the situation and providing direction. Stop putting records of giving in the bulletin and newsletters. Faithful and accurate reports (quarterly) Pay attention to them for increase or decrease as they go out

Develop and use a Narrative Budget

Ask Thank Tell Those who gave $2,000 or more (increase 5%) Those who gave $2,000 or less a year (asked to increase $1,000 a year).

Regularize the Giving Pattern Give People an opportunity annually to review their giving and prayerfully adjust. Pledge or estimate giving

E-Giving Simply Giving Web Option = ?

Create lots of ways for members to give generously Regular Designated Capital

Make financial stewardship and pledging a part of each new member’s class Fall 2010 Class 10 pledges so far for $19,500 ($1,950 average) 2011 Classes (all whom had stronger Stewardship Component which started 2/2011) 19 pledges so far for $49,980 ($2,630 average)

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