Welcome to the "Consecrated Stewards" Blog

This blog is intended to provide resources for those interested in grace-based Christian stewardship. It will especially serve as a forum for those using the "Consecrated Stewards" stewardship emphasis of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and be a place for finding answers to frequently asked questions.

Monday, February 9, 2009

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.

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