Defining Stewardship The Tension Between Stewardship and Fundraising

Stewardship is………… Our thankful and intentional response to the question, “What does God call me to do with the gifts God has entrusted to me?” What I do, with all that I have, after I say, “I believe.” And…….

Stewardship is… A spiritual journey we take individually and in community in which we seek to move from a perspective of scarcity to one of abundance with ever increasing gratitude and generosity.

Fundraising is….. Raising money for specific needs An “in gathering” technique The “mechanics” of the giving process

A Brief History of Stewardship in the USA In the 17 th and 18 th centuries, Christians were compelled to care for and support one another for the survival of their communities. Lack of concern for the “stranger.” “A lack of moral imagination to see the needs of others.” From Robert Lynn Wood, former Senior Vice President for Religion at the Lilly Foundation.

A Brief History…. In the 19 th century, as communities grew larger, the idea of charity was viewed as “a hand out,” and became less acceptable in society. The idea of “mission” took hold as the new concept of giving. Mission beyond the immediate community required more money. A time of rapid church growth and development. From Robert Lynn Wood, former Senior Vice President for Religion at the Lilly Foundation.

A Brief History…. 20 th & 21 st Centuries Cultural and religious pressures focus us more on the bottom line. Full concept of stewardship suppressed. Recognize the shift from “How much should be given?” to “How well do we give and why?” The answer can lead to a deepening of faith and clarity of attitude about generosity, community and responsibility to others. From Robert Lynn Wood, former Senior Vice President for Religion at the Lilly Foundation.

What is the mission of the stewardship committee? To thoughtfully and prayerfully lead the congregation to a deeper understanding of generosity in the commitment of time, talent and treasure. To lead by example, putting the church at the center of giving priorities.

The Stewardship Committee will: Strive to guide by grace, not by guilt as we ask others to join with us in financially supporting our parish. Support community building in our parish through gatherings of parishioners and clergy sharing the good news of the gifts of St. Swithen’s many ministries as well as the reality of the costs of maintaining them. Encourage the sharing of faith and stewardship journeys illustrating lives transformed by and through our faith community.

What are the components of a good stewardship program? Nurture relationships among God’s people. Focus on ministry and not budget. Focus on life changing issues and tell your story. Develop an effective program to assimilate newcomers (and others!) into the life of the church. Remember that stewardship is a journey. From “How to Create a Culture of Stewardship in Your Church” by Doug Turner

How do we balance stewardship and fundraising? Include prayer in all meetings of the stewardship committee. Choose a new theme each year to encourage growth in your faith journey and because we all “hear” differently. Involve clergy in planning. Keep lines of communication open with your finance committee.