Stewardship 2008 Let’s get started Slides 1-19

Stewardship 2008 Craft your stewardship vision statement Leadership (Pastor, Stewardship Committee, staff) Choose your communication/response method Set your stewardship goals Prepare a budget for stewardship campaign expenses Choose a Bible verse that will serve as your theme Create an image/graphic Plan Sundays/special events Determine number of mailings and content Create a timeline Design promotional pieces and mailings Follow up

Craft Your Stewardship Vision Augustana continues to be “ridiculously generous” place Help God’s people grow in their relationship with Jesus through the use of the time, talents, and finances God has entrusted to them. (from the book, Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles R. Lane)

Leadership Pastor The committee – Mix of age groups and gender – Workers – there’s a lot to do! – Graphic design expertise is a plus – Marketing expertise is a plus – Good communicators Staff/lay leaders (involve them early & often)

Choose communication/response method Method: EVERY MEMBER VISIT (most effective in congregations between 50 and 400 households.) Advantages: Deepens relationships within the congregation Allows in-depth dialog with members Provides opportunity for one on one education Provides the highest level of financial response Disadvantages: Requires a significant number of people to visit Need to train visitors to make calls on members Program Option: ELCA – Smart Living: Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

Choose communication/response method Method: CONSECRATION SUNDAY (Works well in any size congregation) Advantages: Occurs during the natural rhythm of the congregation Requires fewer volunteers Disadvantages: Much needed organization Cost for supplies, outside leader and meals Minimal benefit for non-worshippers Program Option: ELCA – Where your Heart Is

Choose communication/response method Method: COTTAGE MEETINGS (works well in any size congregation) Advantages: Good opportunity for informal dialog about mission and ministry Provides opportunity for education and interpretation Disadvantages: Need to select and train presenters Need to invite members and serve food Program Option: ELCA – We Say Yes!

Choose communication/response method Method: FELLOWSHIP MEAL or DESSERT and COFFEE (works best in small size or rural congregations) Advantages: Comfortable setting for talking about mission and ministry Provides some opportunity for education and interpretation Opportunity for dialog Does not require training Disadvantages: Provides average response Some cost for food Program Option: ELCA –Legacy: That Your Faith May Live

Choose communication/response method Method: RELAY RESPONSE (works best in congregations where members live geographically close to one another) Advantages: Easy to plan and execute Produces better response than temple talks or letters Requires few people to plan Involves entire congregation in implementation (could also be disadvantage) Disadvantages: Requires close monitoring Some training of leadership Program Option “Giving Magazine”

Choose communication/response method Method: TEMPLE TALKS Advantages: Better response than letters No Cost People like to hear others stories Disadvantages: Only reaches those at worship Limited response

Choose communication/response method Method: LETTER CAMPAIGN Advantages: Easy, minimal cost Reaches less active members Disadvantages: Generates only minimal response Allows for very limited education and interpretation

Set your stewardship goals To set, or not to set, that is the question! Should you set and communicate a target budget amount? Our goals include: - Increasing the number of participants by 10 % - Encouraging members to increase their giving by 1 % of household income, as a step toward tithing (encourage growth in giving) - Increasing the use of automated giving by 10 % (encourage first fruits giving)

Prepare your budget Stewardship expenses are a dedicated line item in general budget Stewardship materials need to be well done and professional Many organizations are competing for your member’s dollars, your information needs to stand out

Pastor selects Bible verse You Open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16 Choose a verse to serve as your theme

Choose a verse God provides every blessing in abundance. So that by always having enough of everything you may share abundantly in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Choose a verse My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. Proverbs 3:1-2

Choose a verse My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. Proverbs 3:1-2

Choose a verse... Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God. Romans 12:2

Choose a verse You are rich in everything—in faith, in speaking, in knowledge, in truly wanting to help, and in the love you have learned from us. In the same way, be strong also in the grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7