I love leading stewardship workshops. Really, I do. Part of it is that I’m not ordained, so I don’t preach often, and at workshops I get to preach. Part of it is I get positive feedback and who doesn’t love that. Mostly, I feel like I’m possibly, just maybe, having a positive impact. Here are some of the things I love to say:
The job of the stewardship committee is not to get people to give more money; it is to get people be more faithful givers.
The stewardship committee often is placed in the church trustee/finance & budget constellation of people. It belongs in the deacon/faith formation constellation of people.
What would Jesus drive? Jesus wouldn’t drive; he would take the bus.
I get to quote some great stuff and preach on it:
“Fundraising is always a call to conversion.” – Henri Nouwen
“It is pastoral malpractice not to know what parishioners give to the church.” – J. Clif Christopher
“Everyone who saw this grumbled…” Luke 19:7 (CEB)
“Religious fundraising is more about ministry than it is about money.” William Enright
I get excited talking about the transformational impact of giving on the giver. I get amped up talking (preaching!) about a right relationship with money – not just for individuals, but for congregations. Stop talking about paying the bills and balancing the budget, for God’s sake! I see how deep engagement with stewardship can be source of energy within a congregation.
Want to hear more? Contact me about scheduling a workshop at your church. All I ask is that you extend an invitation to other nearby churches and provide some basic hospitality. Thanks to OCWM Basic Support gifts, these workshops are offered without cost to congregations or participants.
I also do workshops on starting planned giving ministries, cultivating healthy endowments, and financial best practices.
Charlie Kuchenbrod is the Executive Associate Conference Minister for the CT Conference, UCC.
Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the
CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.
The job of the stewardship committee is not to get people to give more money; it is to get people be more faithful givers.
The stewardship committee often is placed in the church trustee/finance & budget constellation of people. It belongs in the deacon/faith formation constellation of people.
What would Jesus drive? Jesus wouldn’t drive; he would take the bus.
I get to quote some great stuff and preach on it:
“Fundraising is always a call to conversion.” – Henri Nouwen
“It is pastoral malpractice not to know what parishioners give to the church.” – J. Clif Christopher
“Everyone who saw this grumbled…” Luke 19:7 (CEB)
“Religious fundraising is more about ministry than it is about money.” William Enright
I get excited talking about the transformational impact of giving on the giver. I get amped up talking (preaching!) about a right relationship with money – not just for individuals, but for congregations. Stop talking about paying the bills and balancing the budget, for God’s sake! I see how deep engagement with stewardship can be source of energy within a congregation.
Want to hear more? Contact me about scheduling a workshop at your church. All I ask is that you extend an invitation to other nearby churches and provide some basic hospitality. Thanks to OCWM Basic Support gifts, these workshops are offered without cost to congregations or participants.
I also do workshops on starting planned giving ministries, cultivating healthy endowments, and financial best practices.
Charlie Kuchenbrod is the Executive Associate Conference Minister for the CT Conference, UCC.
Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the
CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Author
Charlie Kuchenbrod
Charlie is Legacy Church Specialist for the Southern New England Conference.