Annual Stewardship Education
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
As members of The United Methodist Church, we promise to give of our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness to God through the ministries of our congregation. Regular attention to stewardship education reminds each person in the congregation of the meaning of their membership vows and provides opportunities to communicate the ways in which contributions to the church’s ministry are serving God and the needs of others.
ASKING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Research from Denny Buwalda and Wayne Barrett from the West Michigan United Methodist Foundation Office suggests that contributions to the ministry of the church will double, or even triple, if we take the time to ask. Consider their findings:
- When no specific contribution is requested of church members, the average annual gift from a household is $400, or about 1.5% of household income.
- When church members are asked to identify a specific dollar amount, the average annual gift per household is $800, or about 2.9% of household income.
- When church members are asked to commit a percentage of their household income, the average annual gift per household is $1,200, or 4.6% of household income.
STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION PRECEDES BUDGET DEVELOPMENT
We understand stewardship as a spiritual matter. We give of ourselves to the ministries of the church in thanks to all that God has provided in our lives. Any budget of a non-profit organization can be met through effective fund-raising techniques. A church has the additional advantage of developing a budget after knowing what income can be expected from attention to the stewardship of its members.
DEVELOP A MULTI-YEAR PLAN
Effective stewardship education should reflect a variety of methods, because each person responds to different aspects of giving as a spiritual discipline. For best results, make plans to do significant activities during months when giving is at its peak. A multi-year cycle of events helps to keep stewardship fresh, such as:
- Worship Celebration
- Every Member Visitation
- Relay Program
- Small Group Meetings
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM METHODS
Keep in mind that these stewardship programs have been carefully researched and tested, so following instructions precisely will provide the highest returns for our efforts.
- Courage to Care — LeWay Resources, Inc. (1-800-72-LEWAY or www.leway.net)
- Let Love Guide You — Neibauer Press (1-800-322-6203 or www.churchstewardship.com)
- Quill: The Personal Demonstration Stewardship Program — Church Fund-raising Services (1-800-826-2048 or www.quillinc.com)
- Special Delivery: Unto Us Is Given — LeWay Resources, Inc. (1-800-72-LEWAY or www.leway.net)
- The Festive Meal Commitment Program — Morehouse Publishing (1-800-877-0012 or www.morehousegroup.com)
- The New Consecration Sunday — Cokesbury (1-800-672-1789 or www.cokesbury.com)
- Claim the Vision — CSS Publishing Company (1-800-537-1030 or http://stewardshipresources.com)
- The Cottage Meeting Commitment Program — Morehouse Publishing (1-800-877-0012 or www.morehousegroup.com)
- In the Light of Grace — Resource Services, Inc. (800-527-6824 or www.rsi-ketchum.com)
- The New Consecration Sunday — Cokesbury (1-800-672-1789 or www.cokesbury.com)
- The Personal Note Commitment Program — Morehouse Publishing (1-800-877-0012 or www.morehousegroup.com)
- Quill: The Personal Demonstration Stewardship Program — Church Fund-raising Services (1-800-826-2048 or www.quillinc.com)
- Called to Serve — LeWay Resources, Inc. (1-800-72-LEWAY or www.leway.net)
- Pony Express — CSS Publishing Company (1-800-537-1030 or http://stewardshipresources.com)
- We Are Family — CSS Publishing Company (1-800-537-1030 or http://stewardshipresources.com)
- Irresistible Invitation — Cokesbury (1-800-672-1789 or www.cokesbury.com)
- Transformed Giving — Cokesbury (1-800-672-1789 or www.cokesbury.com)