Creating a Generous Congregation
Dimensions of Holistic Stewardship
Stewardship is whatever we do by our actions with all that God has entrusted to us. For Example: Our Common Talents and Purpose – Love God with all your mind, heart, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as [you love] yourself (Mark 12:30-31) Heart: the direction in which my life leans; our passion(s) for…
Read MoreBiblically Generous Churches, Part 2
What core stewardship practices can become part of the DNA of our congregations? As we come to see stewardship as a whole-life endeavor, we need to develop a stewardship strategy, including measures of success, with a clear connection to all that we do as a church. Remember that stewardship is whatever we do with all…
Read MoreA Thank You Plan
Saying thank you is often a spontaneous thing. When someone does something for us, especially unasked for or at a cost to themselves, we naturally want to thank them, in words, by doing something for them, or by “paying it forward:” giving in some way to others. Most people don’t give in order to be…
Read MoreComponents for Creating a Culture of Generosity
Developing a Strategic Plan — Notes from a presentation by Michael Reeves What are the components of creating a culture of generosity? 1. Clear statement of what you believe – This includes both your mission statement and your financial support [See “Attributes of a Biblically Generous Church”] 2. Leadership – Lay and professional; Boards; Wealth + Wisdom + Work; Define reality and…
Read More“Stewardship and Culture” course
I’m excited to teach an online course on “Stewardship and Culture: Building Contagious Generosity” this next Jan. 9 through Feb. 11. Registration will be open beginning in December at transformingthechurch.org. The class will feature four audio-video presentations, an interactive online Class Forum, and four weekly live conference calls on Saturdays, Jan. 21 and 28 and…
Read MoreAuthor Chat
I invite you to a free, online “Author Chat” with me on April 26, 2016 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time, sponsored by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. I am looking forward to it! In the first half, I’ll talk (live) over some Power Point slides about what I’ve learned so far through work with churches and…
Read MoreCreating a Narrative Spending Plan
How can we build a Narrative Spending Plan, or Narrative Budget? Church leaders and pastors are familiar with the process of establishing a line-item budget, but a Narrative Budget is done a different way. It starts by forming a small group of church leaders who are familiar with the church’s current ministries, including the pastor.…
Read MoreStewardship and Culture course
I’m excited to be teaching an online course from mid-January to mid-February, 2016 on “Stewardship and Culture: Building Contagious Generosity.” Sponsored by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center and TransformingTheChurch.org, it features four audio-video presentations over four weeks with an interactive Class Forum. We’ll also hold three conference calls: one on Jan. 11 (to give a week…
Read MoreReading Vital Signs
We measure what’s important to us. I heard that statement a long time ago, but it becomes truer with one’s age and with experiences in the local church. It’s like taking our pulse as we exercise, to make sure we are growing a stronger, healthier body. And now that the Bishops of the United Methodist…
Read MoreChecklist for Your Generosity Plan
Essentials: Plan for Our Congregation: Who did or is doing this: Done/Date: 1. Vision – “God-Sized Goals” Compelling Vision Statement Notes: “Scope of Ministries” or “Narrative Budget” that focuses on changed lives Notes: 2. Ministry-Centered Budgeting Process Notes: 3. Vital Connection to Mission Notes: Opportunities for…
Read MoreWorksheet to Build a Generosity Plan
Building a Generosity Plan for For Our Congregation Desired Outcomes or Results: For example: 1. Growing vibrant, faithful stewards (personal growth) 2. Maturing as a vital congregation of gospel stewards (congregational growth) 3. Building a local church of generous hearts and lives 4. Strengthening the stewardship of the church’s full ministry (mutual support with…
Read MoreWhy a Three Year Plan is Easier Than Six Months
Many church leaders think it is so difficult just dealing with the crises of the next six months, they can’t imagine planning ahead for three or more years! But the truth is it’s easier to plan when we look further out in time, for at least five reasons: 1. Taking a longer view helps us…
Read MoreBuilding a Generosity Plan
You don’t have to be a left-brain thinker to get a multiple-step project done. Whether you’re personally a natural list-maker or a spontaneous doer, you still need a plan to affect positive change in the church. Especially if you want to work as a team, or even just get along with the other church leaders.…
Read MoreSample Themes for a Generosity Plan
Here are sample themes you could use for a year-round Generosity Plan. You might pick one Scripture as the umbrella theme for the entire year for your congregation’s ministries, or you may just use the quarterly themes. Either way, you can weave in worship and Christian education topics and other dimensions of your ministry. Within…
Read MoreNine Ways We Change the World
Table Reflection Questions: Stewarding God’s Multifaceted Grace 1 Peter 4:10-11 Choose any of the following questions to spark your reflection together at your table: 1. Recall a time when your presence, words or actions were a gift to someone. 2. How can you live as a steward of the “precious jewel” of God’s…
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