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Annual Renewal
A Simple System for Annual Review/Renewal of Giving
- Why Annual Renewal?
- It is important enough within Discipleship and the Christian Mission
- The old-fashioned once every five years type of Stewardship campaign is too consumptive of time and effort, and brings in additional income irregularly
- People should be encouraged to take gradual steps towards a target based on a percentage of income: besides it takes time for the ‘full message’ to work through
- Some are bound to fall through the net on the first occasion: you want to involve those new to the parish to replace the giving of those who have left during the year
- The results of the Annual Renewal should be linked into the budget process and the Review of the Mission Action Plan
- Determine date on which to have Thanksgiving or Commitment Sunday (can be early New Year, spring or early summer, or Harvest: Advent is not recommended).
- Compile full list of all those who can be considered to be regular givers, i.e. by weekly envelope, monthly or annual banker's order. They may or may not be regular churchgoers. Consider those who come to church infrequently, come to e.g. children's services, come to study groups, who are members of the Electoral Roll but do not come to church. Cast the net as widely as possible, but use commonsense to include only those who might give on a regular basis and if possible understand the Christian motives for giving.
- Differentiate letters to PCC, regular givers, irregular givers, new members.
- Sermon or talk on some theological aspect of giving to be given on that Sunday, or as a series previously. The service can include appropriate hymns, prayers and readings. You might consider printing out the vicar's sermon to hand out to anyone interested.
- Some (brief) instruction on what is expected of the congregation. Stress that they are being asked to review their giving prayerfully, they are NOT being lectured to give more.
- Show the financial requirements of the MAP within the budget/accounts document.
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The review package should consist of a personalised envelope containing
- General instructions (possibly letter signed jointly by Vicar and Churchwardens, differentiated as above)
- Return envelope Confidential to the Treasurer
- Pledged Giving Form
- Notes on Christian Giving
- Brief statement on situation of general account or budget
- If it is possible to do so, include copy of a sermon or talk
Aim to handout the envelopes say 14 days ahead of the Sunday planned for return of the pledged giving forms.
- Separate action will need to be taken with those who did not attend church on the day in question. They will have to be approached with a separate letter/note to introduce the subject. If the package contains a copy of a sermon so much the better.
- Follow up action will be necessary after 14 days.
- Don't forget to thank those who respond.
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