2 Things Your Stewardship Program Must Do
Hellllo! It’s *that* time of year…so here’s an updated post from the vault on the topic-of-the-day:
I refuse to believe it. Summer is almost over. Yes – we are firmly in the middle of September, but the days are still lovely and warm, and the sun sets just before 8pm out here in the Northwest. I’m not ready for sweater weather or an iced-pumpkin-flat-white-latte. Or anything pumpkin flavored for that matter (except maybe a slice of pie). Mmmmm…pumpkin pie.
The closing of summer also means one more thing:
It’s time to plan your stewardship program.
Lord knows there are lots of resources to choose from – all laid out with step-by-step instructions on how to be successful. There are the old standards like Consecration Sunday or new-ish ones by Adam Hamilton, Jacob Armstrong, or Tom Berlin’s, Defying Gravity (feel free to belt out a tune from Wicked while you’re at it). These all-in-one programs can help you shape your message and perhaps make your job easier by providing templates and suggestions to get more people to participate in giving.
However, from my years of working with non-profits and stewardship campaigns,
there are two things you must do to have a successful stewardship program
and…it won't cost you a dime.
Look Behind
People want to know the good their money did in the past year. What did you accomplish? Hopefully throughout the year you have been celebrating all the ways God has been using you and your ministries. Now is the time to add it all up and let people know: “We have been good stewards of the money you gave to us in faith last year.” Let your congregation know that they have made a difference – and let them know how they made a difference.
Look Forward
People want to know what your dreams are for the next year. What three things do you hope your congregation will accomplish? Hint: your goals should not be “To keep the doors open,” or to “Pay salaries,” or to “Keep the heat on.” For example, your goals could be “Make our building warm and wonderful to the 23 groups that use it,” or “Welcome 15 new disciples into the life of our congregation,” or “Partner and be in ministry with two new community non-profits.” Your goals will take some work to develop and - good news - they may not necessarily cost more money to accomplish.
By looking behind and looking forward, individuals might feel called through faith (as Jesus nudges them) to actively support your church financially. You’ll feel pretty good too as you celebrate your previous wins and look forward to the ones yet to come. Lucky you. Go team!
Originally posted on Aug. 24, 2016.
Photo credit: peggy_manco @ pixabay.com
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Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered! When things feel like they're going sideways, Maya Angelou is always good for the soul. Here’s her poem, Continue.
Schedule a meeting now.
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