Lent is just around the corner and for many congregations it is an opportunity to encourage members to follow practices of self-denial, self-sacrifice and other practices to more fully follow the example of our Lord Jesus. At the same time, I have seen changes of emphases with regards to “giving something up” in Lent. While...
January 31, 2018
Model Self-Giving During Lent
Lent is just around the corner and for many congregations it is an opportunity to encourage members to follow practices of self-denial, self-sacrifice and other practices to more fully follow the example of our Lord Jesus. At the same time, I have seen changes of emphases with regards to “giving something up” in Lent. While...
January 4, 2018
Stewardship: Pope Francis and Money
When I talk to congregational leaders about stewardship, I like to remind them that money is mission. I was interested to see that Pope Francis agrees with me. A recent article by Margaret Marcuson applauds Pope Francis not only for talking about money, but working to align the practices of the Vatican Bank with its...
July 1, 2017
Stewardship Tip: Handling the Summer Slump
Here we are in July – the fullness of lower worship attendance, members vacationing and enjoying their weekends at the shore or the mountains – and with it, lower offerings! How do you handle the summer slump? As always, let’s begin by looking at the principal values that build strong stewardship and motivate generosity all...
June 5, 2017
Stewardship Tip: Half Empty or Half Full?
Pastor Blair Morgan, Director for Evangelical Mission in Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, has done a good job of talking about how we look at what we have, based on a workshop he attended with The Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens of Gettysburg Seminary: One of the recurring themes that Dr. Stevens covered was the difference between God’s...
May 5, 2017
Stewardship Tip: 10-10-80
Pastor Blair Morgan, Director for Evangelical Mission in Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod had an article that can be helpful for our congregational members as they think about managing their personal finances. It has also been lifted up by Thrivent, and if you want to have a congregational program that helps teach children (and adults) about responsible...
April 4, 2017
Stewardship Tip: Quarterly Reports
The first quarter of the calendar year is over and in many congregations the Financial Secretary sends out a “quarterly report.” As you think about your congregation’s practices in this area of stewardship, consider some of the following: If you don’t send quarterly reports to your members, reconsider it. It is NOT a bill It...
March 2, 2017
Tip: Other Stewardship Topics
Year round stewardship enables us to lift up consistent themes about generosity and stewardship as a management function for the gifts and blessings entrusted to us by God. Two of the important areas of stewardship will be highlighted by our country in April and it is a good way for our congregations to be in...
November 30, 2016
Stewardship Tip: Embrace Generosity this Advent/Christmas
How do we provide practical programs that help our members embrace generosity and alert them to the dangers of our culture’s “spend, spend, spend” mentality? The Advent/Christmas season is one of the times of the year that lends itself to lifting up the economic tensions of these dual messages. Many congregations encourage generosity with multiple...
October 13, 2016
Stewardship Tip: 10-10-80 Principle
The 10-10-80 Principle of money management has been lifted up in different contexts over the years. The principle itself is pretty basic. It encourages each disciple to prayerfully embrace an approach to their incomes around these three percentages: 10% is offered to the work of God’s kingdom in the world through the church and other...
February 19, 2015
Thank You! For Mission Support
Thanks to the generosity of many of our congregations, there was an increase in 2014 in Mission Support for Synod and Churchwide ministry after years of declining or flat support. Mission Support from congregations totaled $2,148,000 — $48,000 over budget and $10,000 more than 2013, but still well below the $2.7 million received in 2006....
June 11, 2014
Convocation Explores Generosity, Generations
For the first time in history, six generations are living and worshipping in our congregations simultaneously. To thrive congregations must find ways to relate to all of these cohorts, even though they respond to very different approaches to faith formation and institutional support. Join us at the 2014 Bishop’s Convocation as we explore the connection...
May 10, 2014
Ministry Partner: Stewardship Resource Team
“It’s all about modeling” said Rev. Larry Smoose, team leader for the Synod’s Stewardship Resource Team. To grow mission-minded stewards of finances, time, and talent, said Rev. Smoose, it’s important that congregational leaders – and congregations themselves – model what it means to be good stewards. For example, if the goal is tithing, the congregation...
