Consecrated Stewards

Courageous Stewardship

2010-06-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

"The first act of courage is often the release of something held too tightly. And by letting go we often discover that the act is both more difficult and easier than we might have expected. When we find the courage to listen to God and then to let go, we find grace and generosity returned in abundance."
Jill Schumann, President, Lutheran Services in America

CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP OR PIOUS MATERIALISM?

2010-04-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

A few years back, a study was done for Princeton University on Religion and Economic Values. (Click Here for more on that study.) That study showed that while Americans gave lip service to their religious values regarding wealth and money, those values seldom were the motivating factors behind basic economic decisions such as job choice, major purchases and attitudes towards wealth.

“What religious faith does more clearly than anything else is to add a dollop of piety to the materialistic amalgam in which most of us live. We do not feel compelled to give up any of our material desires, only to put them "in perspective." When finances worry us we pray, and that gives us strength to keep on working. In short, a kind of therapeutic motif is at work. Our faith helps us feel better about ourselves whether we are worried about our finances, whether we have money in abundance, or whether we fall into both of these categories.”

The study lists the following reasons why churches fail to make an impact on our attitudes towards money:

1. Money is considered too personal to be discussed openly. The darkest taboo in our culture is not sex or death, but money. We still believe that our personal finances are too ticklish to be discussed with even our most trusted friends. Ironically, while most of us worry about our money, we do so alone. We do not place ourselves in a position to benefit from the counsel of others. Nor do we try to gain the kind of perspective that might come from articulating and testing our own views more openly.

2. Money and morality are kept in separate compartments. Our culture encourages us to think this way. Money is allegedly value-free. We make decisions as consumers, on the basis of advertising rather than as Christians on the basis of our values.

3. People seldom think about connections between faith and money. Fifty-one percent agree that "the Bible contains valuable teachings about the use of money" But agreement is one thing; making use of these teachings is another. Only 29 percent said they had thought more than a little in the past year about "what the Bible teaches about money," and only a few more (31 percent) had thought this much about the broader issue of "the connection between religious values and your personal finances."

4. Clergy may be fearful of seeming too interested in money. Most of the pastors surveyed admitted they found it difficult to preach about money. In many cases, they, together with their parishioners, could not see the connection between faith and money.

5. Stewardship has lost much of its meaning. Stewardship is perceived by the public to mean either something as narrow as charitable giving or something so broad that it has virtually no specific implications. When people were asked what they thought was the best definition of stewardship, 10 percent said it meant "giving a certain percentage of your money to the church," 12 percent thought it was "taking good care of our planet," 16 percent said it meant "remembering that God makes everything," 40 percent said it was "using your individual talents in a responsible way," and 20 percent were unsure. Moreover, only 22 percent said the idea was very meaningful to them; 40 percent said it was fairly meaningful; 20 percent said it was not very or not at all meaningful; and 18 percent were unsure.

Stewardship Motivation: Gratitude or Lordship?

2010-03-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I attended a day-long seminar on stewardship led by a nationally known speaker and author. One of the key principles he wanted to get across that day was “You cannot understand stewardship until you understand Lordship.” In other words, his theology of stewardship was based chiefly on the premise that God is the Owner of all things, the Lord of all, and we are managers who have the duty and the responsibility to care for and properly use the gifts God has given us.

This week, on the other hand, I read again the core values of Lutheran World Relief. One of those core values is Gratitude. "We are grounded in profound thankfulness for God’s gracious, self-giving love for all humankind, revealed in the redemptive acts of Jesus Christ. Gratitude marks the way we relate to one another and to all creation." It is clear that one of the distinctives of a Lutheran view of stewardship is that you don’t understand stewardship until you understand God’s action of love in Jesus Christ. At that point we say with LWR, "We are grounded in profound thankfulness for God’s gracious, self-giving love for all humankind, revealed in the redemptive acts of Jesus Christ. Gratitude marks the way we relate to one another and to all creation."

The difference is between a theological system that begins with (material principle) the sovereignty of God as compared to one that begins with justification by grace through faith. This is not to deny the idea of God as Owner and we as managers. It speaks, instead, of motivation. It speaks of action that is motivated by gratitude for God’s gracious action in Christ rather than obedience to a role of managing the King’s affairs.

Perhaps the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s definition speaks to both the joyful motivation of gratitude and the action of management: “Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God, and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources, for God’s purposes.”

Does it make a difference what motivates our stewardship? The nationally known speaker in the first paragraph may be able to claim as good a “response rate” for his stewardship program as any grace-based effort may claim, but I believe there is a difference between a response based on duty and one based on gratitude. The Wikipedia article on “Gratitude” notes that “…indebtedness motivates the recipient of the aid to avoid the person who has helped them, whereas gratitude motivates the recipient to seek out their benefactor and to improve their relationship with them.”

Perhaps it has been a sense that stewardship involves the fulfillment of a Christian duty or responsibility that has made people want to avoid the subject. It is only the proclamation of God’s love in Jesus Christ that can begin to evoke that spirit of gratitude that motivates free and joyous stewardship.

A Visual Guide to Giving

2009-12-14T19:32:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-09-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-07T01:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

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??

2009-03-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-19T12:28:00.000-08:00

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:

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.
Ask children and youth “What does stewardship mean to me?” Have them prepare posters or short essays that may be shared with the congregation.
Be sure the Stewardship Committee has children on the agenda.
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.
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.)
Provide Sunday School offering envelopes. A wonderful way to teach regular giving from an early age.
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.
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

2009-01-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-14T12:03:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

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"

2009-01-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

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.

"First Offering Sunday" and the New Year

2008-12-30T13:39:00.000-08:00

Consecrated Stewards suggests in the Fulfillment section of the manual that members be asked to begin their new commitments on “First Offering Sunday,” which is suggested to be the second Sunday after Consecration Sunday. What we are finding, however, is that some congregations that have a late November or early December emphasis have chosen to suggest, instead, that members begin their new commitments at the beginning of the new year.

This is probably not a practice we would want to encourage. The reasons: 1) It is better to keep the time of commitment and the time of action closer together. Let people act while their commitment and the reason for it is still fresh in their minds. A five or six week wait between commitment and action weakens the link. Our materials are never prescriptive to what an individual must do, but they do suggest an action while the commitment is still strong and fresh. 2) Moving the action time to the beginning of the calendar year may link the commitment to the church’s budget and the convenience of the financial reporting system rather than the person’s response to the grace of God. Consecrated Stewards makes a point of separating stewardship from the church’s needs and connecting it to our response to God’s grace in Christ. Why not set First Offering for Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day rather than the beginning of a new calendar year? Do you catch the difference?

If, however, you have set a starting date of the beginning of the calendar year, be sure to remind people of that starting date. Do it in a way that reflects the gospel orientation of Consecrated Stewards rather than the budgetary needs or fiscal beginnings of the congregation. Some hints will be found in the Fulfillment section of the congregational manual. If some people have already begun their new commitments, it might be time for a stewardship witness from one of those people, or simply provide a stewardship witness of trust and hope as we begin a new year of uncertainty.

And please don’t forget that stewardship is a year round subject. Use your quarterly offering statements to include a mission based and grace oriented stewardship message, to thank people for their faithfulness, and to point out what God is doing through the ministry of your congregation at home and through global partnerships. Make use of the many hints that you will find on this blog and on the links listed to the right to help you keep whole life (time, talent, treasure and more) stewardship before your people all year long. Don’t try to cover all aspects of stewardship at once, and don’t limit yourself to a financial emphasis once a year. Plan ahead, and use the resources you will find here to plan other activities of stewardship of time, talent, environment, relationships, etc. at regular intervals throughout the year ahead

LCEF Conference: How Christians Handle a Challenging Economy

2008-12-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

At the annual Fall Conference of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod president Gerald Kieschnick, speaking to the Biblical text of Jesus asleep in the boat on Galilee's sea, said "We need to remember in our present time that no matter what overwhelming issues may be challenging us or the people we are called to lead, we are in the same boat [as] a man named Jesus," Kieschnick said. "No matter what the situation is, we are not facing it by ourselves. The Lord is by our side, even if it seems in our minds that He may be sleeping."

"When we as leaders live with this kind of faith and confidence in our own lives," Kieschnick continued, "the people we lead will observe it and learn from our example that there is nothing to fear when one is in the boat with Jesus. Such faith and confidence enables us to lead with confidence and, in similar accord, set a godly course and direction for the church in the midst of overwhelming times."

Click here for the full report in the Lutheran Witness Reporter.

The Year of the Grasshopper

2008-12-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

Pastor Roger Kruger, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, in his November e-news. "Fireflies," had the following interesting article. For more on the newsletter or to subscribe (free) click here.
The Year of the Grasshopper

In every congregation I have served, there were always two parties when it came to budget matters. One—I’ll call them the Grape Party—were in favor of taking risks and stepping out in faith to expand the mission of the congregation. Like the exploratory party who came back from the land of Canaan carrying an enormous cluster of grapes (Num. 13), these were the people who saw possibilities, who had a vision of the future. But then there were also always the Grasshoppers (“We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes”), who saw the dangers and risks that moving forward would entail. Often, when it came to large congregational expenditures such as adding staff or engaging in building expansion, the Grasshoppers wanted to see proof through pledges and commitments that all the money was in hand before proceeding. The Grapes would argue, on the other hand, that it was necessary to do things to expand mission in order to broaden the giving base, that to wait until the money was in hand before proceeding was to commit to decline rather than growth.

In light of today’s economic climate, I think it is likely that this will be the year of the Grasshoppers in most congregations.

How the economy operates is a mystery to me, but this much I get: it is based on faith. If banks believe they are at risk, they won’t loan. If businesses believe they won’t get loans, they cut back and lay off workers. If workers believe they might lose their job, they won’t spend. If they don’t spend, businesses have to cut back more and lay off even more. And, as the unemployed can’t pay off their loans, even more banks become at risk. It is a vicious cycle driven by fear.

As that fear takes hold of congregations, congregations also will cut back, putting new projects on hold, cutting back on staff, and in some cases attempting to balance the budget by cutting salaries. Given the realities of the global economy, some of this is simply prudence. This is a time for caution and patience.
Grasshoppers have a point. John the Baptist, after all, developed a spiritual lifestyle around a diet of grasshoppers. To simplify, to establish priorities, to make decisions about what is essential, what can be delayed, and what is no longer viable is painful but important.

Caution Fear At WorkStill, it is important to distinguish between caution and fear.

The mission of the church is not survival but service. For those who look, there will be many opportunities to serve in hard times. Even though Nebraska has seemed somewhat sheltered so far from the worst effects of the crisis, the distant rumbles are growing louder. It is likely that in the coming months the issue may not simply be fear but fact. Now is the time to begin planning ways to meet the needs of people.

But what can congregations do? I suspect that if congregational leaders are asked to think about it, they can come up with a variety of creative ministries suited to their community. Here are some that occurred to me:

* If your community is impacted by large numbers of unemployed, finding ways to provide concrete assistance to those most severely impacted will be essential. Supporting and expanding congregational or community food banks is one way to help. Opening your facility to serve one meal a week could provide an important gathering place for social, emotional, and spiritual support.

* Looking for ways to utilize the unemployed in volunteer roles might not only provide an opportunity for those who have been laid off to utilize their time in meaningful ways but also provide the congregation with a way to sustain and even expand their ministries. Even as the financial support for congregations may dwindle, the opportunity to draw from a larger pool of volunteers may increase.

* Think, talk, teach, and preach about faith. If this really has a lot to do with fear, then people need to constantly be reminded of God’s faithfulness.

There is good reason to believe that if congregations are seen as making a difference, they will also be supported even in hard times.

The Christmas Gospel in a "Peanut" Shell

2008-12-08T06:27:00.000-08:00

Charles Schulz, raised in the Lutheran Church and later active in the Church of God (Anderson), often had his "Peanuts" characters speak a gospel witness. This Linus monologue needs no comment except to wish each of you a joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year!

"We've Already Used That Bible Study!"

2008-12-03T11:27:00.000-08:00

Q. Suppose a congregation has already used the Bible study materials recommended for a given year of Consecrated Stewards; are there alternatives, or is the congregation on its own to find other study materials?

A. There are times when a congregation has made use of the recommended Bible studies as part of a CFS capital campaign or through another ministry of LCEF. In such cases LCEF has alternative Bible study materials that will meet the needs of the congregation and fit the grace-based approach of Consecrated Stewards. It is best not to leave the congregation find its own materials since many stewardship materials are not in harmony with the gospel-centered approach of Consecrated Stewards. Contact the Capital Funding Services office 1-800-843-5233 for information on which Bible series might be best for your congregation.

This is a subject that the Guest Leader should explore early on in the process. The “Congregational Fact Sheet” each congregation is asked to complete includes information about previous capital campaigns and stewardship emphases. It may provide a “heads up” to such an issue. At the Initial Committee Meeting, the Guest Leader should show the recommended Bible study materials, pass them around – particularly to the pastor – and might ask if the congregation has used these before as part of another LCEF program. If so, assure them that samples of other materials will be made available to them.

A Missional Credo for Tough Times

2008-11-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

Paul Krentz, Mission Facilitator for the Texas District LCMS, posted "A Missional Credo for Tough Times" on his blog. A portion is printed below. For full text, click here.

Right now, banks are pulling back; mortgage firms are pulling back; individuals are pulling back from their 401-k plans and unloading their stock portfolios. Folks are trying to preserve what they've got and minimize their risks.

Churches might be tempted to pull back and minimize their risks as well, thinking that acting missionally is best left to better economic times. Habakkuk, the Old Testament prophet reminds us that we ought not put our trust only in what we can see with our eyes.

In Habakkuk 3:17-19 he says: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, {18} yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. {19} The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

Blessed Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

The music video below says it well. All good gifts come from God, but greatest of these is His love in Jesus Christ. We are blessed to be stewards of those gifts and partners with God in His great mission.

We wish you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Giving Patterns in Recession Times

2008-11-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Based on past recessions, church members will keep giving to their congregations, at least for now, said Sylvia Ronsvalle of Empty Tomb Inc.

Decreasing giving is not the first thing church people do in tough economic times, she says. In an extended downturn, congregations might begin to see a retraction in church-member giving the second year, she predicts.

Research shows church giving as a percentage of income was higher during the early years of the Great Depression (3.5%) than at any point since. Data from the last 6 recessions show reduced giving in 3 and increased giving in 3, but only in 1970 did it go down in the first year. Traditionally, people view the church second only to family in terms of accountability. General giving outside the church is spottier, although people tend to give to an immediate need.

For additional research and analysis of giving data, click here for the research section of “Empty Tomb, Inc.”
Also read an earlier post "Giving in a Time of Financial Crisis" (october 28) below or in the October archives.

Building Programs as Missional Opportunities

2008-11-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

Building a building does not necessarily enhance a congregation’s ability to be in mission, but it can provide the opportunity to reexamine its missional philosophy, values, vision and strategy.

Stephen Shields in “Churches in Missional Renaissance: Facilitating the Transition to a Missional Mindset” (Click Here to download the full article) says “Considering that missional ministry generally takes place outside of the four walls of the church, it’s somewhat counterintuitive that some churches pinpoint a time during a building campaign as when they began moving toward a more missional focus.”

Shields gives examples of churches for whom a building program provided the opportunity to dedicate a percentage of the money raised towards missional goals or actually changed the nature of what was being built to focus more on the needs of the community.

A service like LCEF’s Strategic Ministry Planning (Click Here) can help a congregation do the necessary missional reexamination before moving ahead with a building. SMP’s process is based on a “House of Decisions” model. Most congregations start out with second floor concerns instead of foundational concerns (theology) and first floor concerns (missiology).

A building program can be a missional opportunity if it is based on a reexamination of your vision and values and if it results in a case statement that reflects those values.

Financial Red Flags

2008-11-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

It's a difficult subject to address with congregations, but as one whose ministry was for many years at the District or judicatory level, I know from experience that many congregations do not take simple steps to protect themselves from the heartache and scandal of financial mismanagement.

Every congregation should have written procedures that govern the handling of money from the time it hits the offering plate until the time it is deposited in the bank and how it is reported to the congregation. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company lists at least three "red flags" for financial mismanagement (Click HERE for full article):

Red Flag No. 1: A person who does it all. “If you have the same person counting the money, recording it and depositing it—you’ve got a problem.”

Good Controls:

Provide Checks & Balances. The person who opens the mail should differ from the one who makes bank deposits. The person making payments from a fund shouldn’t balance that fund.
Split Duties. Reduce the temptation for a single individual who handles all the funds.

Red Flag No. 2: An Opportunity for Temptation

What greater temptation is there than a pile of money passing in front of your face? Being left alone in a room to count it.

Good Controls:

Follow the Rule of Twos. For church offerings, experts recommend that you follow the rule of twos: At least two people should always collect and count the offering.
Select Counters Carefully. Enlist money counters who aren't related and don't work at the same place during the week. Also, avoid selecting someone experiencing a financial crisis.
Secure Counting Area.

Red Flag No. 3: Inadequate Oversight

Tales of embezzlement often share common elements: a charismatic person in a position of trust who convinces the governing board that all is well; the board assumes the person speaks truthfully and performs his duties honestly; then regular checks are not performed. As consequence the crime goes unnoticed.

Good Controls:

Reconcile Bank Statements.
Hold Monthly Financial Meetings.
Schedule Audits.

Using the CS Bible Studies in Three Weeks

2008-10-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Q. With the Guest Leader Bible Study on CS-1, how are we supposed to use all four Bible studies provided?
A. Here are some suggestions for using the Bible studies:
• Use all the Bible studies for all mid-week classes and use all bulletin inserts, but use only three on Sundays, substituting the Guest Leader Bible Study on CS-1.
• Start the Sunday Bible studies on CS-3 as suggested, but extend to CS+1 (week after Consecration Sunday) for the final study that was missed.
• Start the Sunday Bible studies on CS-4. If you do this, make sure you change the publicity materials to reflect the change.
• Skip one of the Bible studies.

Small Steps to Stewardship Growth

2008-10-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes stewardship growth best takes place not through major programs, but through small steps that may be suggested by the Stewardship Committee for use by individuals and by the congregation as a whole. The following list is adapted from one provided by "Live It!" a Roman Catholic Stewardship resource. CLICK HERE for the full (unedited) list.

INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY

Take your watch off when entering church for worship — symbolize this is God's time, the service a doorway to eternity.
Create a Refrigerator magnet: "What can I do to help people who don't have a well-stocked refrigerator?"
Purchase a less-expensive car than you can afford — share the difference with your parish.
On the First Sunday of Advent, review spending for the year, particularly charitable sharing.
Decide on year-end sharing (including, if necessary, making up for missed offerings).
Put a piece of straw in your wallet before Christmas shopping, to remind yourself of the greatest gift, Jesus in the manger.
Put a stewardship sticker on your credit card, to remind you that spending is not everything.
Take an inventory of your clothes. Decide which items you don't need, and donate them to a charity that will put them to use.
Think carefully about alternative uses of the money before purchasing luxury items or recreation equipment or fancy clothes.
Encourage people to set goals not only for stewardship of treasure but also for time (especially as prayer) and talent.
Build a habit of thanking people whose work usually goes unnoticed — those who clean our business office, those who serve the food in fast-food restaurants, cashiers at the supermarket.
Send hand-written notes to senior members of the parish, thanking them for all they have done in their lives for the church community.
Rake leaves, shovel snow, etc., for elderly neighbors/parishioners.
Help an elderly person learn basic computer operation and e-mail, so he/she can keep in touch with relatives and the world in general.

CONGREGATIONAL

Put a stewardship sticker on all envelopes and other parish materials (e.g., grocery bags for food drive).
Use the language of stewardship instead of volunteering, giving, etc.
Have available in the Church (1) slips of paper on which people can write (anonymously) how they have used their gifts for others during the past week, and (2) a basket in which to place them. Then bring the basket to the altar.
If the office uses a postage machine, add a stewardship message to the printing. Most machines can print a message along with the postage. "Stewardship -- A Disciple's Way of Life" would look good on all the envelopes.
On All Souls Day (or all through November), label a bulletin board the "Wall of Remembrance"; invite people to post pictures of their departed loved ones. Give thanks for these stewards of old who helped bring us the Gospel.
At the end of the service, the pastor thanks all the assistants by name.
Leave thank-you cards in the church; ask people to address them to people whose ministry might otherwise go unnoticed.
Take a picture of the church. Then have it made into a picture puzzle, with enough pieces so that every family can have one. Mail the pieces to parishioners and ask them to bring the pieces on Commitment Sunday. (Alternatively: People have to bring in their pieces as a symbol they have completed some step, such as visiting a Parish Ministry Fair.) At the Ministry Fair, have a table where pieces can be placed. The message is, "The congregation isn't complete without you."
Create a button: "I'm a Steward for Christ." Ask ministry leaders to wear them regularly, in order to build interest. Then distribute them to the congregation.
Give each parishioner a report on his/her sharing three times a year, without any request for funds. Most people will make up any missing amounts.
Publish stories of stewardship in the Bulletin, with emphasis on actions of members.
Recognize a ministry each week, either at worship or in the Bulletin.
Invite community organizations to participate in Time and Talent Sunday (Ministry Fair).
Collect travel-sized shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, etc. (hotels often have them available; after one use, the bottles are thrown out). Give them to shelters.
Print a stewardship prayer on a business card or similar vehicle. Give one to all Board members; ask them to say the prayer at the start of each of their meetings.
Encourage kid's groups to do community service.
Invite parishioners to form a group that will provide meals, housecleaning, etc., for terminally ill people and their families, and other people in crisis.
Provide credit counseling for those in need.
Visit new parishioners in their homes. Invite them to discern their gifts and then to use them in the parish and the community.
Invite people with auto mechanic skills to band together to obtain old cars and bring them to running condition. Give the cars to people who need transportation but cannot afford to purchase a car.
Ask the parish to recognize the gifts of the students in the parish.
Adopt a student who cannot afford higher education; provide financial support for education.
Ask the parish to be aware of special-needs students in their midst; encourage help for the students and the parents.
During Religious Education and Youth Ministry, help children to learn about their gifts and how to use them

Giving in a Time of Financial Crisis

2008-10-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Christianity Today did a poll of its web readers and email recipients during the week of October 19 to determine whether the economic crisis was affecting charitable giving. The results are as follows:

Has your giving gone down due to the economic crisis?

No, it hasn't changed. I am giving just as much: 76%
No, it's gone up: 9%
Yes, my investments have gone down, so I have fewer resources to give: 7%
No, it hasn't changed. I wasn't able to give to begin with: 4%
Yes, I am saving more now because I'm not sure what the future holds: 3%

If I read the figures correctly, it would indicate a potential 1% decrease in giving among those polled, and that decrease would more likely be felt in special gifts from accumulated assets rather than regular offerings. The sample -- that of readers of Christianity Today -- is, of course, likely to consist of active, regular church members. Hopefully, many of them have caught the vision of grace-based, proportionate, joyful giving that operates not on the principle of fear, but on the principle that "As God guides, He will provide."

Another resource comes from the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia (Click Here for Article) entitled "Holy Habits for a Fickle Economy". Among the words of advice:

It is more important to nurture holy habits than to fret over a budget.
Sometimes the conversation comes down to cutting expenses or increasing income. Faith is always found when focusing on the income side.
As a church we are called to confront the culture of greed and the spectacle of debt.
You can't sell soap if you don't take a bath. If you think others should call on the Gospel, call on it yourself. If you think giving is important, give of yourself.

More Than One Service

2008-10-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Q. How is Consecration Sunday handled if a church has more than one service on Sunday?
A. There are different answers for different congregations.
You need to know the “culture” of a particular congregation. One possibility is to have some type of celebration meal after each service. One Guest Leader recently wrote us to say, “I just completed a program at a church that had four services on a weekend and we had a meal for every service. We utilized the gym for that, which meant that the contemporary worship on Sunday morning also moved to the sanctuary. This meant a tight time frame (1 hour 15 minutes from start of one service to the start of the next), but it was doable.”
Another possibility: A Committee Chair at a large congregation said they decided to invite everyone back for Bible Classes and a single meal. They promoted attendance heavily and made all the follow up calls, and attendance at the meal equaled their average adult attendance.
When it comes to announcing results, cumulative results may be announced for each service with the final totals announced in time of thanksgiving on the following Sunday.

CS a Springboard to Year-Round Stewardship

2008-10-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Consecrated Stewards will often be the first “success” story a congregation has had in stewardship both in terms of its spiritual impact and its level of response. Be sure to encourage congregations to build on that with a year-round calendar of stewardship events covering many aspects of our stewardship life. The materials and resources in the Fulfillment section of the Guest Leader Guide will help, as will the many resources available on the Synodical Web site. (Click Here)
The Guest Leader Guide urges you to spend time on this during the final telephone fulfillment meeting, but many Guest Leaders raise the issue of year-round stewardship at the Initial Committee Meeting for two reasons:
1. They want people thinking of a broader stewardship program from the very beginning.
2. Some guest leaders report that attendance at that final fulfillment meeting is often poor.
They want to get the message across early to the whole group.

Watch for news about CS3. It will take Year-Round stewardship preparation to a new level.

Creating Cultures of Generosity

2008-10-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Pat Springle had an article on Leadership Network (Click here for article) about creating cultures of generosity in congregations that is worth reading. It reinforces the principles that stewardship is linked to a sense of and participation in mission and that motivation begins with the generosity of God, not just in material things, but in His grace in Jesus Christ.
Stewardship and a culture of generosity are not a program. They are a blessing and an attitude that permeate everything we say, are and do. This is the motivation behind Consecrated Stewards as well as our Capital Funding ministries.

Reservation Calls as Ministry Opportunities

2008-10-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Again and again we hear reports of calls assigned at the Leaders Luncheon that turn into ministry opportunities. You never know what joys God may have waiting for you to hear or what sorrows people may need to share. When call assignments are made at the Leaders Luncheon, take time to say a few words about the ministry opportunities these calls afford, not just their program value.
Some congregations have used the reservation process as an opportunity for prayer requests.
When Reservation Cards are collected at these congregations on CS-2 and CS-1, the back of the card contains a form for prayer requests. These prayer requests are then lifted up before the Lord, together with prayers for Consecrated Stewards, in a short (two to three hour) prayer vigil on the Friday or Saturday before Consecration Sunday.
Those who have not returned a Reservation Card are called by those who attended the Leaders Luncheon, not only to invite them to the Consecration Sunday activities, but also to express real concern for their prayer needs. It can be a wonderful ministry tool and a way of saying “We care about you!” when people are expecting “We want something from you.”

Including "Time and Talent" ?

2008-10-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

Q. I’m working with a congregation that would like to include time and talents as well as “treasures” to the CS Response Card. I cautioned them against this but wanted to get your feedback on actual practice and experience.
A. Regarding including time and talents: We recommend NOT combining that response with a financial response on the commitment card on Consecration Sunday. Reasons:
• It tends to “water down” the importance of each commitment by combining the two together.
Both are important aspects of stewardship and best kept apart.
• It becomes a cumbersome process to do a proper job of allowing a genuine “time and talent” commitment together with a financial commitment. You need a financial card, plus a sheet or two for time or talent responses. That takes time for explanation and completion if done within the service.
• If not done properly, with a well thought through time and talent commitment, you wind up with a single card that looks something like this:
I will serve the Lord through...
_____ My regular prayers for the ministry of my church
_____ Worshiping the Lord and receiving the sacrament
_____ Participating through my time and talents
_____ Supporting the Lord’s work through my weekly offering of $______
The only thing specific on such a commitment is the financial amount, and many people see everything else as “spiritual fluff.”
Instead of combining the two, we recommend:
• A year-round program of stewardship education and commitment that includes various commitments at different times of the year. For example, Financial Commitment in October, Time and Talent in January, Prayer Commitment in Lent, Care of Creation in June, etc.
• Another possibility (one we are working on for CS Year 3) is to have a Ministry Fair on the Sunday before Consecration Sunday. At that Ministry Fair, the various groups in the congregation (or community) set up a display of their ministry and a sheet is distributed as people visit the Fair to enable them to volunteer for service in particular ministries. This separates the financial commitment from the time and talent commitment with two separate events.
• The best way is to have a time and talent emphasis tied in with a gift identification Bible study program at a time separate from the financial commitment.

Ordering Herb Miller "New Consecration Sunday" Material

2008-10-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Q. Do you still recommend that we order the Herb Miller materials for the congregational leadership? I don’t want to confuse the lay leaders with two sets of guidelines.

A. We ask the congregation to purchase ONE copy of Herb Miller’s New Consecration Sunday
Stewardship Program with Guest Leader Guide AFTER they have made the decision to go with
Consecrated Stewards and in time for the Initial Commitment Meeting with the group that will be working the program. Do NOT ask them to purchase it during the Decision Phase. Use the Consecrated Stewards materials and DVD (segments 1-4). This ONE copy is kept by the CHAIR for REFERENCE and for the few items we still use that are Herb Miller’s materials. We do NOT recommend that the congregation distribute a book to each member of the committee. This can cause confusion. Miller’s material is simply a secondary reference. Guest Leaders—Always point out that our manual and your instructions are prime directives.
Herb Miller materials may be ordered from Augsburg Fortress and other suppliers. (See link to the right under "Herb Miller materials".