Stewardship class

Since Pastor Dan is my blogging hero, I thought I would emulate him and write down some of my notes and thoughts about the MSR "Stewardship Strategies" class I was in the past two days. Like the evangelism course I took in November I was sort of dreading the class but it turned out to be excellent, and a lot of fun since many of my MSR friends were there. And the instructor, Ed Taylor (no, not this Ed Taylor...no, not that one, either...ah, here he is, if you scroll down a bit) has an obvious and infectious passion about the topic. The only thing that distracted me is that he sounds like Alec Baldwin - but I mean that in a good way! :)

The following list is obviously not complete nor in any sort of order, but are bullet points I wrote on the slide handouts so I wouldn't forget them.

• One overarching theme was not to use line-item budgets to communicate to members - instead, have ministry and mission stories and what those each will cost at a high level. Have a detailed budget available for reference (for those who care), but keep the main conversation on what we're trying to accomplish, not how much the electric bill will be next year.
• Many pastors won't talk about money because they think it's about their salary, or afraid that it will sound that way.
• Stewardship is about relations:
• with God
• with each other
• with "stuff"
• The goal is not to increase stewardship but to create stewards.
• What is the congregation's "story?" Is it a good story? Is it worth listening to? Participating in?
• We should talk about our objectives, not the budget. What are we trying to do? How will money help?
• Talk about stewardship as a faith issue, including our own struggles with our faith and growing our faith.
• Stewardship = my need to give to imitate God's generosity
• Fundraising = an organization's need for money.
• We need to talk about it directly. We need to let people know what is expected. For example, one church set expectations such as:
• 1-3 years attendance - giving 1-3%, attending 1+ Sunday per month, participation in Bible study, choir, or another program.
• 4-7 years attendance - giving 7%, attending 2+ Sundays per month, serving on a committee in a mission or area for which you have a passion.
• 8+ years attendance - giving 10%, attending every Sunday, leading something for which you feel passionate.
• "Tithing is too much of a burden for the poor and not enough for the rich." (I missed the attribution for this quote)
• In our culture at large our primary identity and purpose is "consumer." But it should be "steward." Our consuming habits should be shaped by being a steward; our stewardship should not be shaped by being a consumer.
• The offering is not an administrative task in the middle of service, it is allowing people to sacrifice and make themselves holy.
• "The opposite of poverty is not wealth, it is community." - Paolo Friere
• Use a different name than "stewardship," since stewardship means different money (only) to many people, and means nothing to the unchurched/new members.
• One congregation printed up cards that allowed members to write what they had already sent via direct deposit or check to have something to drop in the plate on Sundays, so people didn't have to feel embarrassed by not putting anything in the plate. Another idea was to write hours of service on a piece of paper and put that in the offering - allow people with less means to still give of their time and talents. One church then publishes those hours given along with the amount of money given.
• What message does not putting anything in the plate (because we've given by other means) send to visitors? Other members? Children? What message does not taking the plate to the altar send?
• Is an endowment a silo (storage) or a vineyard (ongoing production)?
• The "language of scarcity" is used in too many churches. Need to change to a language of thanksgiving.
• Don't use apologetic language during offering or discussion of stewardship.
• "I have good news! It's time to receive the offering!" - Ed Taylor
• Can't use one type/form/language to reach all members. Ed's congregation sends out seven (7) different types of letters, depending on the member - young adult, young married couple with kids, etc.
• "If your church burned down, what would the community rush to replace, if anything?"
• Put financial reports last in stewardship committee agendas, otherwise they will eat up the whole meeting.

And a quote from the text:

In the world of fund-raising, a maxim is "The easiest way to raise money is to ask people for it. All other ways are more difficult."

There was a lot more, but that's enough for now. Good stuff!