Deuteronomy Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. 23 In the presence of the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24 But if, when the Lord your God has blessed you, the distance is so great that you are unable to transport it, because the place where the Lord your God will choose to set his name is too far away from you, 25 then you may turn it into money. With the money secure in hand, go to the place that the Lord your God will choose;

26 spend the money for whatever you wish—oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your household rejoicing together. 27 As for the Levites resident in your towns, do not neglect them, because they have no allotment or inheritance with you. 28 Every third year you shall bring out the full tithe of your produce for that year, and store it within your towns; 29 the Levites, because they have no allotment or inheritance with you, as well as the resident aliens, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, may come and eat their fill so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work that you undertake.

The Context How money is often talked about in congregations and society.

Jesus cares deeply about each individual believer’s relationship with him. That is why he talks so much about money

Society’s Taboo Money is something you don’t talk about with other people.

Our Predominant Culture Consumerism – “Consumerism is not so much about having more as it is about having something else; that’s why it is not simply buying but shopping that is at the heart of consumerism.” – William Cavanaugh, Being Consumed, p. 35 – “Consumerism is not simply people rejecting spirituality for materialism. For many people, consumerism is a type of spirituality.” – p. 36 – “Consumer culture is one of the most powerful systems of formation in the contemporary world, arguably more powerful than Christianity.” – p. 47

Church Obstacle #1 The business/spiritual split in congregations.

Church Obstacle #1 In the church we imagine that there is a spiritual/financial split. – “The church is a business after all.” – We want the pastor to focus on “spiritual” matters. Financial issues in the congregation are left to business and finance leaders. – When we have talked about money, it has usually been as a “business” issue, not a “spiritual” matter.

Church Obstacle #2 Giving as a member of a congregation rather than giving as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The unfortunate result In too many congregations, money is talked about only as it relates to getting the bills paid and never as an important element of discipleship. How can we as leaders help move the money conversation to align with how the bible talks about money?

Ask, Thank and Tell as categories for stewardship ministry.

Ask How are members asked to give? How often are members asked to give? Are members asked to make an estimate of their giving for the coming year? Are members asked to grow in their giving?

Thank Are members thanked for their estimate of giving? How are members thanked for their giving? Is there a plan for thanking? How is the pastor/staff involved in thanking?

Tell How are members told that their giving makes the mission and ministry of the congregation happen? “Because of you” and “Look what you have done now” The false assumption that because leaders know what is going on, everyone knows what is going on.

Three reasons people give Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate, Chapter 2

A belief in the mission Is the congregation able to clearly articulate its mission? Do the members know the mission? How have the members had the opportunity to participate in shaping the mission?

Regard for staff leadership Like it or not, in a congregation the pastor is crucial here (Senior Pastor if there is one). The importance of the basics (“Pay the rent”). Just do your job!

Financial stability of the institution People don’t give to sinking ships. (Ken Callahan) Don’t cry wolf. Bad news doesn’t motivate. Be careful and be transparent.

The Three Pockets of Giving Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate Chapter 5

Earned Income Regular income, however it comes Most often earned income is the source of regular giving to the congregation. In many cases it is also the source of giving to special/capital appeals. The importance of previous financial decisions on giving from earned income.

Accumulated Assets Savings, stock, cash value of insurance policies, property, etc. Tax law and appreciated assets Most often accumulated assets are the source of giving to special/capital appeals The possibilities of giving from accumulated assets for regular giving

Estate Giving Accumulated assets given at a specific time Often given to a congregation’s endowment fund. Usually a problem if it isn’t. Invite this giving on a regular basis. The message will be heard only by those thinking about estate planning at that time. Seek professional help.

Five Motivations for Giving  Compassion  Community  Challenge  Reasonability  Commitment Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Compassion Sharing Caring Giving Loving Serving Supporting “ Many people do what they do because of their love for their children, their love for their family, their love for their country, their love for God’s mission.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Community Fun Good Times Fellowship Affection Belonging Sense of Home and Family “ Many people do what they do out of a search for community. The extended family clan used to provide a spirit of community. Many people are drawn to church because they hope that they will discover within a congregation a spirit of community.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Challenge Accomplishment Attainment Achievement “Some people ‘rise to the bait’ of a challenge. For them, life is one challenge after another.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Reasonability Data Analysis Logic Thinking that “it makes sense” “Some people motivate themselves at various stages of life’s pilgrimage out of motivation of common sense. For them, a course of action must be reasonable before they take it.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Commitment Dedication Faithfulness Duty Obligation Vows Loyalty “Some people motivate themselves out of a sense of dedication and loyalty. They do what they do because they have made deeply felt commitments” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Why do you give? Choose your top two: Compassion Challenge Reasonability Commitment Community “Giving and Stewardship“ in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Motivations for Giving Predominant Motivators for most people in the pews are Compassion and Community. Predominant Motivators for pastors and key leaders are Commitment and Challenge. Working with the Motivational Gap Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Generational Gap “duty and delight”  Commitment  Institutions  mission + making a difference Community Causes

Three contributions that Rostered Leaders are best equipped to make Keep the focus on God’s word Keep the focus on the mission Engage in the difficult work of tending to the long-term plan and the weekly details

Five observed roles of Rostered Leaders #1 - Absent – The Rostered Leader does not take an active role in stewardship ministry. Either there is no stewardship ministry or lay leaders do everything.

Five observed roles of Rostered Leaders #2 - Non-Invested Participant – The Rostered Leader attends stewardship committee meetings, but takes limited role in stewardship ministry beyond attendance at meetings.

Five observed roles of Rostered Leaders #3 – Solo - The Rostered Leader is the only person in the congregation who is responsible for stewardship. Often there is a Finance Committee who is responsible for financial management.

Five observed roles of Rostered Leaders #4 - Non-participatory Vision-Caster – The Rostered Leader creates a vision for stewardship that fits with the overall vision of the congregation, passes this vision on to the stewardship committee, but has no or limited participation in the implementation of the vision, except, perhaps, to monitor it as an outside observer.

Five observed roles of Rostered Leaders #5 - Participatory Leader – Along with lay leaders, the Rostered Leader participates in the development and implementation of the congregation’s stewardship vision. The pastor is often the one who monitors the ongoing progress of the implementation. A strong, committed lay leader may also serve this role.

Five observed roles of Rostered Leaders 1.Absent 2.Non-Invested Participant 3.Solo 4.Non-participatory Vision Caster 5.Participatory Leader