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Mission & Ministry

 
 

Stewardship Renewal

How to organise an annual stewardship renewal

Compile a full list of all those who can be considered to be regular givers, for instance those who give by weekly envelope, monthly or annual banker's order. They may or may not be regular churchgoers.

Consider everyone on the electoral roll, those who come to church infrequently, for instance, children's services or study groups. Include those who are members of the Electoral Roll but don't come to church.

Cast the net as widely as possible, but use common sense to include only those who might give on a regular basis and understand the Christian motives for giving. Involve the incumbent in deciding who should be included and who should be left out.

Determine the date on which to have Thanksgiving or Commitment Sunday. Ideal times are before Advent, early in the New Year, or after Easter - April or May.

Sermon or talk on some theological aspect of giving to be preached on that Sunday, or as a series previously. The service can include appropriate hymns, prayers and readings. A useful book is First Fruits by Adrian Mann, Robin Stevens and John Wilmington. You may consider printing out the vicar's sermon to distribute to the congregation and particularly those who were unable to attend.

Some brief instruction on what is expected of the congregation. Stress that they are being asked to review their giving prayerfully - not being lectured to give more.

This can be used as an occasion to describe the Parish's financial position, but this should not be the primary motivation for giving.

Leaflets describing the theology (the giving leaflet) and pledged giving forms to be handed out on this Sunday. These should be returned within, say 14 days.

A variant on this might be to give out a personalised envelope containing:

  • General instructions (possibly letter signed jointly by Vicar and Churchwardens)
  • Return envelope confidential to the Treasurer
  • Pledged Giving Form
  • Notes on Christian Giving
  • Brief statement on situation of general account
  • Helpful prayers

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 personally, and will need a separate letter/note to introduce the subject.

It may be necessary to follow-up by telephone or letter after the 14 days have expired.

Don't forget to thank those who respond: if the Treasurer is dealing with the details, possibly best if the thanks come from him or her.

 


Prayer

Generous God,

we know that all that we have is yours:

save us from the delusion of believing it is ours;

save us from our possessiveness,

that your grace may abound in all things at all times;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

 


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