Annual Giving - Stewardship Campaigns

There are many excellent programs for soliciting pledges, any of which can deliver good results. Success will be determined by the diligence, enthusiasm and joy of the stewardship team.

If throughout the year the church has nurtured giving as a faith practice, told the story of what its ministries have accomplished, personally thanked givers at every opportunity, and has been a good steward of its resources, then inviting gifts will be easy and joyful, whatever method you use.

On this page:

Cultivating Faith: Worship & Bible Study Resources
Testimonials
Books and Links

4 Part Webinar Series on Generosity (UCC and the Lake Institute at IU Philanthropy)

Part 1) Planning the Annual Communications and Development Calendar: A conversation on Planning the Annual Communications and Development Calendar led by Lake Institute’s Melissa Spas and Bruce Barkhauer, director of the Center for Faith & Giving of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Two resources they will share are: an article about integrating stewardship year-round, and using a narrative budget to help congregations and other organizations communicate about how their mission and money connect.

Part 2) Strategic Communication for Mission Advancement: The important work of mission advancement includes raising awareness, inviting partnership, and raising resources for sustainability and innovation in ministry. Effective, strategic communication enables these essential, relationship-focused activities, and helps your organization or congregation to thrive.

Part 3) Gratitude and Nurturing Generosity: Generosity is both a virtue and a practice. When we cultivate a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity in our organizations, we can begin to open up new ways of thinking about assets, capacity, and future ministry.

Part 4) Digital Strategies for Reaching New Communities: 2020 has been a challenging, disruptive year. One result of this upheaval has been a new experience of digital communication and convening, which has the potential to open our congregations and organizations to participation from anyone, anywhere.

Extravagant Generosity: Annual Campaigns Video Series: Rev. Andrew Warner provides an overview of concepts and activities that support an effective annual stewardship campaign in a series of short videos. The officers of the church offer testimonies the Spirituality of Generosity. The playlist of videos can be found here.

Congregational Economic Evaluation Tool – The survey helps leaders compare their stewardship and financial practices to other faith communities and to identify best practices they can implement.

The Changing Landscape of Religious Giving 2023 by David C-B. This PowerPoint presentation along with the notes reviews the changing landscape of religious fundraising. It then looks at the implications for stewardship/generosity annual campaigns. The Pursuing Financial Sustainability presentation provides an important background and framework for viewing this presentation.

Pursuing Financial Sustainability A PowerPoint presentation giving a theological understanding of the church and stewardship, and components of a framework that may be able to sustain the church's mission and ministry. This presentation provides an important background and framework for the Changing Landscape of Religious Giving 2023 presentation.

Books and Links

Books:

A Spirituality of Fundraising, by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Kitchen Table Giving, by William G. Enright
Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate, by J. Clif Christopher
Whose Offering Plate Is It, by J. Clif Christopher
Stewardship for Vital Congregations, by Anthony B. Robinson
Ask, Thank, Tell, by Charles R. Lane
Embracing Stewardship. How to put stewardship at the heart of your congregation’s life, by Charles R. Lane and Grace Duddy Pomroy
Generosity, Stewardship, and Abundance: A Transformational Guide to Church Finance, by Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel
The Steward: A Biblical Symbol Come of Age (Revised Ed.) by Douglas John Hall

Links (websites/Newsletters):

The following websites have excellent content, often going far beyond stewardship. Most also offer free newsletters. Try browsing the websites and if you like what you see, sign up for the newsletter. Please be aware that sometimes you'll need to scroll down to the bottom of the webpage to find the subscription link.

Cultivating Faith: Worship & Bible Study Resources

Generosity is a fruit of the spirit and mark of discipleship; therefore, it is important to emphasize the giver’s need to give as a matter of growing in faith, rather than as a response to the financial needs of the church. This can happen through worship, Bible study and other settings throughout the year. It is also important and very helpful to explore one's own relationship with money.

Other Resources and Websites:

UCC Stewardship Resources

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