A Visual Guide to Giving

The following is from MintLife (Click Here for Web Site) Click on chart for clearer view if your browser does not show whole chart.

budget planner – Mint.com

Ministry Fair Ideas

Those of you who are using the "Consecrated, Lord, To Thee" segment of Consecrated Stewards ( as well as many others) may be interested in some additional ideas for the Ministry Fair event that we recommend for the Sunday before Consecration Sunday. Karen Kogler, Director of Volunteer Ministries at St. Peter's Lutheran, Arlington Heights, IL, provides some hints and resources on her blog, "The Equipper" (Click Here). Included are sample serving cards, ministry fair map, and children's activity from Immanuel Lutheran in Batavia, IL. These are good resources for educating people about the ministries of your church and community and enlisting their time and God-given gifts for these ministries.

LCMS Districts Cite Role of Consecrated Stewards

November 26, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 101 Districts report positive results with revitalization, 'Stewards' By Joe Isenhower Jr. TAMPA, Fla. -- While the economic downturn continues to challenge ministries synodwide, district presidents report that congregation-revitalization efforts and programs such as "Consecrated Stewards" are helping offset the economy's negative effects as they bolster congregations' vitality and stewardship. At the Nov. 17-19 meeting of the LCMS Council of Presidents here, four district presidents told of such realities, efforts, and outcomes in a presentation dubbed "the economy of ministry." They are Rev. Terry Cripe of the Ohio District; Rev. David Stechholz, English; Rev. James Keurulainen, New England; and Rev. Kenneth Hennings, Texas. Of those four districts, Texas is the one least affected by the economic downturn, as the state's population and work force continue to grow, and the district's budget is less stretched. "God is blessing us tremendously in Texas," Hennings said, "and we hope to use it to be a blessing to many." On the other hand, northern states such as Ohio have particularly seen economic loss. For instance, 20,000 workers in Cleveland lost their jobs on the same day, Cripe reported. Lutheran congregations in the state's urban and rural areas have been especially hard hit, he said. And this year, the district is about $50,000 behind in its budget. But Consecrated Stewards, congregation-revitalization efforts, and a "Connecting the Congregations" PowerPoint presentation the district's Board of Directors uses to communicate with circuit leaders and laity have "picked up the slack" for many congregations, he said. With such help, Ohio congregations are staying healthy, helping each other, and increasing financial support for the district, Cripe added. Through mission bequests from a five-year "Blueprint for Missions" program, the New England District has seen its deficits "reduced significantly," Keurulainen told the COP. "Missions and outreach -- we're doing it." He also said that 35 pastors in the district are in learning communities for congregational revitalization. "It's remarkable what revitalization has done for ministry in New England," he continued. "It's changing the culture for the better for many congregations." "Stewardship just isn't being preached as much as it needs to be," Keurulainen said. "Stewardship needs to begin in the lives of our pastors as they model it in their congregations." But through the revitalization process and the Consecrated Stewards program, New England congregations are "experiencing the joyful aspects of stewardship," he added. And although the economy also has affected congregations in the non-geographic English District, "focusing on the high ground of our motto, 'igniting Christ's church in mission' remains our focus," said Stechholz. He also said that despite deep cuts to its budget, the district has nine new mission starts. Stechholz said that the congregations and schools of the English District, "in worshiping the living God, are serving in their communities, connecting with the unchurched and dechurched, growing in grace and numbers by the power of the Holy Spirit, and reproducing by planting new churches." Stechholz emphasized that the district also continues to promote Consecrated Stewards to enhance congregations' mission and ministry through whole-life stewardship. Consecrated Stewards -- a part of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund's Ministry Services -- provides a spiritual setting for raising up stewardship in congregations. It explores the need of the giver to give, rather than the need of the church to receive. For more information about Consecrated Stewards, call 800-843-5233 or visit http://www.lcef.org/services/consecrated_stewards. After discussion when other presidents shared how their districts and congregations are dealing with the economy, Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick thanked the COP program committee for proposing the "economy of ministry" topic and those who addressed it. "I think this is one of the most helpful discussions we've had," Kieschnick said, as he emphasized the importance of district presidents "sharing about what works."

Ministry in a Time of Recession

Here are some ways your congregation might reach out to the unemployed in your congregation and community.

Pink slip care. Assemble practical care packages for the newly laid off—workers’ rights laws for your state; recent help-wanted ads with Post-it notes and a pen; a grocery gift card; a directory of government services, mortgage renegotiation programs and local relief organizations; and a resume checklist, paper, envelopes and stamps. Encourage church members to give the packages to anyone they know who has just lost a job.

Career counsel. Recruit a human resources director or social services worker from your congregation or community, who is willing to spend a few Saturday mornings advising the unemployed on their rights and how to obtain government assistance. Advertise the free seminar in your local newspaper’s want ads and on community bulletin boards. Make sure your church knows about it—the best advertising is word of mouth.

Job pool. At each worship service, ask church members to fill out a card indicating available jobs they know of or jobs they’re seeking. Use your church Web site as well as local information boards at coin-operated laundry facilities, coffee shops and grocery stores to disperse the information to your community. (Tip: Delegate oversight of this ministry to an unemployed church member and compensate him or her—even if only a little—for the time.)

Coffee per diem. Secure permission to offer free, quality coffee and cookies outside state unemployment offices, temp agencies, etc. Take the encouragement a step further by printing a message of hope on napkins you pass out.

Weekly gathering. Reach out to the unemployed in both the church and your community through a weekly gathering at the church, a coffeehouse or other community hangout. Offer a time of sharing and, at the end, give people an opportunity to pray and be prayed for. Ask people to submit written prayer requests and let them know a team of people will be praying for them throughout the week.

Resume tune-ups. Host a free resume workshop at your church. Recruit or compensate local personnel directors, career counselors (and maybe even an English teacher!), etc., to give a brief resume dos and don’ts seminar, followed by some hands-on assistance for attendees.

—From Outreach magazine, March/April 2009

Congregation Life Expectancy Tied to Percentage of Tithers

George Bullard, coach and Consultant with the Columbia Partnership, says...

"Your congregation is more likely to exist ten years from now if at least 20 percent of the active adults tithe their income through your congregation. It is marginal or uncertain to exist ten years from now if less than 20 percent of your active adults are tithers. When only a remnant of active adults are tithers you congregation is less likely to exist with vitality and vibrancy ten years from now."

Interestingly enough, this percentage has dropped in recent years as congregations have sought multiple sources of funding beyond tithes and offerings. Nevertheless, according to Bullard, if the percentage of active tithers goes below 20%, the congregation becomes dependent upon the offerings of a few people or upon special appeals to make up deficits. These same congregations are also in a constant "cut back" mode of missional understanding.

What is the percentage of tithers on your congregation?

CLICK HERE for the full article.

ENERGY STAR for CONGREGATIONS

The Environmental Protection Agency offers a host of resources for congregations that seek to exercise stewardship of their energy use under a program called "Energy Star for Congregations." Most congregations can cut energy costs by up to 30% by investing strategically in efficient equipment, facility upgrades and maintenance. With free, unbiased information and technical support from ENERGY STAR, your congregation can more easily improve stewardship of your budget’s energy dollars, and of the earth by reducing energy waste and energy costs, while protecting the environment.
Materials provided by the EPA are especially helpful for congregations entering a building or remodeling program, but excellent resources are also available to help educate your members in proper stewardship of energy in their own homes. CLICK HERE to be connected to the site.

Five Steps to Energy Conservation

1. Have your Governing Body Make a Public Commitment to Conserve Energy

* When church leaders make a public commitment, they are more likely to change behavior.
* Publicize this commitment. Let your members know about it!

2. Choose an Energy Steward

* Without making energy an individual’s job, conservation slips through the cracks.
* The Steward can model/enforce new energy habits.
* Make a brief monthly report to the Governing Body until conservation is a habit
* The Steward should establish a baseline for energy use, monitor monthly use in relation to the baseline, oversee energy education of leaders, and oversee conservation measures.

3. Establish a Baseline and a Target for your Energy Use

* Without a baseline, you won’t know if you’ve saved energy.
* Gather your past two years’ energy bills.
* Compare the monthly energy usage figures (not cost) to previous periods.
* Set goals for your quarterly and annual energy use, mindful that seasonal variation from year to year is inevitable.
* Aim for a 10% reduction in relation to the baseline during your first year.

4. Identify Energy Conservation Measures

* See www.greenfaith.org for hints.

5. Evaluate Results, Praise and Publicize, take Next Steps

* Have your Energy Steward monitor financial and environmental impact.
* Report results – financial and environmental. Remember – you’re educating about good stewardship and the link between energy, the environment, and financial responsibility.
* Publicize your success; praise your leaders! Write a news release for your newsletter and local paper stating that your church is a leader in energy conservation.
* Show that your church believes care for the earth is a religious value.

For more help on environmental stewardship, see the "Green Faith" web page. CLICK HERE

12 Ways to Increase Giving

Here are twelve ways leaders can increase giving in their congregation:

1. Immediately make sure your personal giving is what it should be.

2. Immediately say "thank you" and find ways to do so regularly all year.

3. Tell people regularly what was accomplished through their giving.

4. Immediately do something concrete to assist those in economic distress.

5. Ask lay professionals to conduct workshops on budgeting and personal finances.

6. Focus on worship and Bible study attendance since participation and spiritual growth provide impetus for joyful giving.

7. Begin teaching stewardship to parents to help them teach their children about giving.

8. Promote at least one new "first fruits" method of giving to encourage regular giving. (offering envelopes, electronic transfer, etc.)

9. Take small steps toward having people discuss how they think about money and giving. (witness stories in newsletter, worship, etc.)

10. Promote alternative visions of the good life to counter media consumerism.

11. Move from a "pay the bills" church to a "live the vision" church.

12. Stay positive in everything related to money.

Adapted from an article by Lovett H. Weems in “Leading Ideas”. CLICK HERE for free subscription.

The Secret of a Healthy, Happy Life

You probably know the story that goes with this picture. A man sees an old lady sitting by the side of the street looking very bright and happy.
“What is the secret of your long and happy life?” he asks
“Well, I smoke ten of these big cigars a day. I drink two pints of good rum, and I always have a boyfriend who is half my age.”
Man: “Wow! That’s amazing. How old are you?”
Woman: “Forty-two.”

A more serious answer to the question of how to live a healthy and happy life is to give to others.
An article in Ode magazine describes the work of Paul Wink of Wellesley College, (Click Here) who did a comprehensive study of what brings health and happiness to the lives of people. He quickly discovered that “generativity” (the ability to give to others) ranked high on the list.

According to Wink, the protective effect of giving on mental and physical health buffers an entire lifetime. Wink found that teens who scored high on generativity in high school were healthier and happier half a century later. “There was a strong correlation with mental health in particular,” he says.

Wink also sees “generativity” as strongly linked to faith. “Religious individuals see giving and altruism as the natural outpouring of their faith.”

A March, 2008, report in Science magazine, “Spending Money on Others Promotes Happiness,” (Click Here) found that, "spending more of one's income on others predicted greater happiness both cross-sectionally (in a nationally representative survey study) and longitudinally (in a field study of windfall spending)."

Of course, giving does not have to be just financial giving. Below are 10 low-cost ways to give from consultant Britt Bravo. What would you add to the list?

• Volunteer in your community, or virtually.
• Listen to someone who needs an ear.
• Visit someone who needs company.
• Give away stuff (i.e. clothes, books, CDs, DVDs, furniture).
• Double a recipe, put half in a tupperware, and share it.
• Share the skills you get usually get paid to use for free.
• Recommend someone on LinkedIn.
• Send a card or letter to someone who would love to hear from you.
• Give a loved one a shoulder or foot rub
• Show appreciation for the people you love.

Planning a Ministry Fair

Consecrated Stewards latest offering, “Consecrated, Lord, to Thee,” provides resources for congregations that want to move beyond financial stewardship to whole life, year-round stewardship. One of those is a Ministry Opportunity Fair held on the week before Consecration Sunday. The Ministry Opportunity Fair enables the congregation to promote ministries within the congregation and the community and give members opportunity to pledge support for these ministries through prayer and participation.

Some good additional resources for planning and organizing a ministry fair may be found by clicking here.

Money Speaks??

The following devotional message was posted by Pastor Martin Schultheis, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Catonsville, MD, on his blog, "Wonderings Along the Way" (CLICK HERE to visit the blog.) It is used with his permission.

Money Speaks?

If you have enough time read Acts 20.

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

The mere “coincidence” that a feeling of uncomfortableness comes up when someone talks about how we should spend our money – and especially “the church” – in many ways bears witness to the hold we seem to let finances have on our lives.

A devotion about the “need to give” just doesn’t seem to ring as spiritual or even as practical as so many other possible topics for meditation. On the contrary many of us might like to try to read through such a devotion quickly (if at all), convince ourselves that no behavior change is necessary (or desired), and look forward to next week’s devotion about something more worth wrestling with – like, maybe, judging others.

Add on to this the fact that for married people the “need to give” is usually a joint decision and “since I’m already convinced that even if I wanted to change in this area my spouse would never go for it” a devotion on giving might seem to have as much hope as an electronic slice of canned ham (that would be spam for those who didn’t get my attempt at humor).

Nonetheless – here goes – and here goes bluntly:

For those of us who are waiting for our money to tell us it is okay to be generous – both in our giving of at least a tithe (10%) back to the Lord as well as our giving to others – it simply will never, ever, EVER happen.

Wait, wait, wait as we may, our money will NEVER (guaranteed!) say it is okay to give it away.

Why is this, you ask? Is it because our money always wants more, is never satisfied, always wanting to grow, grow, grow? Absolutely NOT! Not even close.

Rather the reason why our money will never give us the okay to let go of it is simply this: our money can’t talk. It has no mouth, no mind, no will.

Another attempt at corny humor you ask? Maybe, but not without pointing out an extremely important truth.

The truth is that the decision to give or not give cannot be blamed on our money. The Lord doesn’t call our money to be generous; He calls US.

If we are not giving, it would seem lunacy to turn to our money and blame it.

I share this not to shame us into generosity – for each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and shame rarely if ever brings forth cheerfulness.

But rather the knowledge of this point is important so that we can recognize that if a change is to occur that change will not happen in our money, but in us.

WE are the ones He has come to change – and may we be ever changed until the image of the perfect God (the perfect Giver, Lover, Friend) is made perfect in us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you died and rose for me – not for my money or my stuff – but for me. May your death and resurrection put the old me to death and rise me up anew in You – always. In your name. Amen.

Recruiting and Equipping Saints for Service

Are you interested in involving more people in God’s mission and ministry for your congregation? Karen Kogler, Director of Volunteer Equipping at St. Peter Lutheran Church (LCMS), Arlington Heights, Ill., has a resource-packed web site titled “The Equipper” that provides resources for the following areas:

• Why equipping?
• Assessing church volunteerism
• Job descriptions
• Training
• Making the Match
• Recruitment
• Record keeping
• Communication
• Supporting
• Dealing with difficult volunteers
• Educating for ministry
• Leadership

Check out the web site by clicking HERE.

Economic Crisis Provides Challenges and Opportunities

While many Chinese linguists now challenge the old saying that the Chinese character for “crisis” (weijei) can mean both danger and opportunity, the truth remains that crisis times can bring both challenges and opportunities for those who know how to “redeem the time.” Two items came across my screen today that point out how the economic crisis can be both a challenge and a missional opportunity for congregations. ... CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE POST.

Generational Giving Patterns

Do you send out one letter of appeal to all of the people in your organization addressed, “Dear Member”? That may work for those over 60, but not for those under 40. Effective appeals include an understanding of generational patterns of giving and participation. J. Clif Christopher has written a short, stimulating article on the subject called “Don’t Mail to the Masses: Generational Differences in Giving” in the latest issue of the Circuit Rider. (CLICK HERE to download the article.)
For more on the subject, see our previous post “How Different Generations Approach Finances". (CLICK HERE)

Essentials of Effective Stewardship

The title of the book caught my eye: All for God’s Glory: Redeeming Church Scutwork (Louis B. Weeks, Alban Institute, 2008). By “Scutwork” Weeks means the day-to-day administrative and planning tasks that so many pastors and church workers consider boring and burdensome. Weeks, of course, sees those tasks as part of a ministry of administration (So do I.) and gives practical guidance and examples of how they might become a fruitful and enjoyable part of ministry.

One of the chapters in the book deals with planning and effective stewardship ministry in the congregation. Some principles – similar to those at the heart of Consecrated Stewards – are these:

• Stewardship is connected to mission, not budget.
• Stewardship attitudes are built through year-round consciousness.
• An annual “Commitment Time” provides time for growth and review.
• The sharing of “faith stories” or stewardship witness talks
• Sharing the story in person or in gatherings (worship settings, small groups, Bible studies) is far more effective than letters and printed material.
• Frank and Scriptural talk about stewardship promotes growth in discipleship.

Eat That Frog: Stewardship of Time

There’s an old saying that says...“If the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is eat a live frog, then nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day!” Brian Tracy has written a little book called “Eat That Frog” (Simple Truths, 2008) in which he says that your “frog” should be the most difficult item on your things to do list, the one where you’re most likely to procrastinate; because, if you eat that first, it’ll give you energy and momentum for the rest of the day. But, if you don’t...and let him sit there on the plate and stare at you while you do a hundred unimportant things, it can drain your energy and you won’t even know it.

CLICK HERE for a short video of tips on time stewardship.
CLICK HERE for a "virtual book" preview of "Eat That Frog".

Stewardship as a Model for Congregational Ministry

Rolf Jacobson, Asst. Prof. of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, wrote an excellent article entitled “Stewards of God’s Mysteries: Stewarding as a Model for Congregational Ministry” in Word & World 26, No. 3 (Summer, 2006)

The key question Jacobson asks is this: “Are we MEMBERS of OUR congregation or STEWARDS of GOD’S mysteries? Our model for ministry makes all the difference.”

Many congregations today operate with a “membership” or “ownership” model of congregational ministry. “In today’s culture, the membership model leads people to construe the congregation as similar to a club that people join of their own free will for the purpose of having their needs met.” The focus of ministry to such a congregation is on the membership, meeting its needs, avoiding conflict, keeping people happy. The ownership model often speaks of “my congregation,” “my church,” “my ministry”. That focus is often exclusive rather than inclusive.

In place of the ownership model, Jacobson proposes the stewardship model based on I Corinthians 4:1-2 – “ Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

“According to St. Paul, a congregation – its building and grounds, its finances and assets, its people and program, its mission and ministry—does not belong to us. Rather, each Christian congregation belongs to God.”

This moves from a cultural framework (membership by voluntary association—to which we pay dues and volunteer time) to a biblical framework (communal stewardship of God’s mission and ministry—in which we are called to be stewards of the gifts God has given us.)

Some ramifications of the stewardship model:

• God’s mission and the means to sustain that mission belong to God and not to humans. Neither the mission, the people, nor the resources are ours as owners.
• God calls the people of God to be stewards of God’s mission.
• A congregation—both its clergy and lay members—is a group who together act as stewards of God’s mission. The members of a congregation, corporately, are not members of an organization, but fellow stewards of God’s mission in a particular place and time. The church is a called community, not a volunteer organization.
• To join a congregation is to respond to God’s call—God’s call!—to join in God’s mission as a steward. The question is not do you want to join our church, but is God calling you to be a fellow steward of God’s mission in this place?
• God requires of stewards that they act and live in a trustworthy manner. Fidelity is not just about believing the right way. It is also about acting faithfully on those beliefs.
• God will hold stewards accountable. God’s stewards labor now trusting the one who will later hold us accountable, for he who judges is also our savior, and he judges by his standard, not earthly standards.

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For reference to Jacobson’s article and copies, click here. Full text is not available online.

Introducing Stewardship to Children

The Diocese of Providence, RI, has developed a brief guide for introducing stewardship of time, talent and treasure to children. It is filled with practical ideas and samples that can easily be adapted to a Lutheran congregation.

The main thesis of the Guide is that lifelong habits take shape if stewardship principles and practices are instilled at an early age. Some ideas to help this happen:

1. Integrate stewardship education into the religious education curriculum. Consecrated Stewards now provides Sunday School materials for all of our programs and other resources are available through the LCMS web site for introducing stewardship to children.
2. Ask children and youth “What does stewardship mean to me?” Have them prepare posters or short essays that may be shared with the congregation.
3. Be sure the Stewardship Committee has children on the agenda.
4. Encourage parents to talk about stewardship with children. Letters with suggestions may be sent to parents. Prayer tents or folders for use at meal time may be provided.
5. Develop a children’s “Time and Talent” list. Discover opportunities for children to serve alone or with their families. Provide a commitment card. (Sample provided.)
6. Provide Sunday School offering envelopes. A wonderful way to teach regular giving from an early age.
7. Enroll in the K.I.D.S. savings stamp program through Lutheran Church Extension Fund. (See list of links t the right.) Encourage savings while support new mission starts.
8. Reserve a children’s section in the congregation’s newsletter. Highlight ministry opportunities and stewardship stories for children and youth.

To download the full article, CLICK HERE.

How Different Generations Approach Finances

Traditionalists, Boomers, Xers and Millennials. Chances are you have heard a lot about these generational groups and know which one you belong to. But when it comes to financial matters and preparing for retirement, what are your generation's strengths and weaknesses? What can you learn from the generations preceding and following yours? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has recently published an article about generational approaches to finances and retirement. CLICK HERE for this interesting article and check your own generation against those around you. This will also enable you to download a generational timeline,

How to Order Herb Miller Materials

We continue to get questions from time to time about how to order Herb Miller "New Consecration Sunday" materials. There are a number of suppliers. Click on the link to the right labeled "Herb Miller materials" in the list of stewardship links to order from Augsburg Fortress.

For information on what to order and how to use it, see our earlier post on how to use Herb Miller materials. (CLICK HERE)

Convert Your Car to Run on Trash

This car actually does run on trash through a process called “gasification”. If you want instructions on how to build it and a video showing it in actual operation, click here.

But the point is to get you thinking about stewardship of the environment. We often talk about the three “T’s” of Time, Talent, and Treasure, but there is also the stewardship of Trash.

Think of some projects your congregation could adopt to promote stewardship of the environment…

• “Adopt a Highway” clean up project
• Conduct an energy audit of your church building
• Begin a recycling program
• Plant a church garden
• Conduct an audit of hazardous materials
• Host a speaker from local government or 4H
• Plant a tree
• Convert the pastor’s car to run on trash ???

Can you think of others? Make this part of your year round stewardship planning.

"Coming to Our Senses" in a Time of Recession

Dr. Dale Meyer, President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and former speaker of The Lutheran Hour, offered the following thought in his "Meyer Minute" for January 7:

Monday most automakers reported 30% drops in sales during December, with Hyundai off 48% and Chrysler 51%. Oil is going back up and a gallon of gas may soon be back at $2. We’re poorer than we used to be.

It’s easy to overlook the obvious. When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor,” He was speaking to His disciples, not to the general population (Luke 6:20). Yes, God loves all people but Jesus doesn’t say “Blessed” to all Americans in this recession but only to His followers. How’s that?

Because His followers are reminded what we’ve professed all along, that ultimately we have zilch, nada, nichts, nothing. America is like the prodigal son, broke after a spending spree, wallowing in recession. But the prodigal “came to his senses” and said, “I will set out and go back to my father” (Luke 15:17-18). A Christian identifies with that. Getting poorer is reminding us that we have nothing of our own, no hidden accounts that permit us not to need God. That means that wondering when the economy will come back is off the mark, at least faith-wise. “Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness….” (Lutheran Service Book, p. 311)

To read these daily "Meyer Minutes" or subscribe to them by email Click Here.

January Discount on "Consecrated Stewards"

Early Spring is a good time to conduct a Consecrated Stewards emphasis since it usually separates the stewardship process from the budget process.
As an encouragement, Lutheran Church Extension Fund is offering a discount coupon during January for use with Consecrated Stewards.
Click on the "LCEF -- Consecrated Stewards" link in the Links section to the right.