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Unparalleled needs and opportunities are confronting local churches today. The ability of the local congregation to respond constructively is in direct proportion to its available resources. The resources, both individual and financial, depend upon the effectiveness of its stewardship program.
Few congregations have effective year-round programs stewardship education, tithing and planned giving. Most need help. SALT will supply that need.
SALT, through information provided by "Church stewardship & Growthcenter" will meet the needs of your church by bringing you news of what others are doing in the stewardship field, suggestions on new programs, displays, literature and training materials. It will give you and your congregation the satisfaction of more effectively meeting the needs of the work of Jesus Christ.
You can help! Share with others the ideas you have found effective.
Send you ideas to Editor SALT@Neibauer.com. Comments also appreciated.
Walter J. Waddell, III
Church Publishing Manager
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The stewardship program
basic methods
There are a number of basic methods which congregations have used to obtain commitments from their people: a Mail Appeal, the Sunday Worship Service, a Church Meeting, Small Group Meetings, Pony Express and Every Member Visits.
The practice of many churches has been to center on just one of these methods skimming over the others as secondary and of little importance. Post office mail, used with another method, has usually been used in a preliminary announcement fashion. A visitation used as a second method has been intended only to clean up pledges not received at a Dedication Sunday Worship service. Most churches have used seriously only one of these methods in any given year. A good stewardship program should combine two or more methods. It does this in such a way that one method is not secondary or subordinate to the other, but both play an important and complementary part in the program.
Here are the four basic methods:
Stewardship Program by Visitation
This method centers on a visit to every member of the church. The visit, usually in the home, presents and gives opportunity for discussion of the church's program goals and budgets, and for cultivating stewardship responsibility in terms of making a commitment. Some churches make appointments, others visit without appointments. If the family is not at home, the visitors seek to make the call later. Effort is made by the visitors to discuss and to receive the commitment cards rather than depend upon families to mail them or bring them to the church.
Stewardship Program in Sunday Worship Service (Dedication Sunday)
This method is based principally on having the commitment take place at a Sunday morning service of worship. Letters are sent to the members concerning the church's program, budgets, and details of Dedication Sunday. The worship service is planned so parts of it will center on the significance of the day ? commitment. Opportunity is given for the congregation both to sign the commitment cards and have them collected during the service. A follow?up of those members not attending the service may take place Sunday afternoon or during the week.
Stewardship Program by Small Groups
This method of stewardship concentrates on small group meetings usually held in homes, with a host and hostess personally inviting neighboring members to attend. Usually the procedure in these meetings is similar to the church meeting, but with somewhat larger opportunity for participation.
Stewardship Program by Mail
In this method primary emphasis is placed on material sent through the mail. One or more letters announce and explain the stewardship program. The church's budget is presented and interpreted. Members are asked to fill out an enclosed commitment card and return it to the parish in a self?addressed and stamped envelope. A "thank you" letter is often sent to those responding and a follow?up letter to those not responding.
ChurchStewardship & GrowthCenter
has developed many stewardship, tithing, faith-promise programs and materials for denominations for 37 years. Some are listed on this website. More are available. If you don't see what you need, please call. Custom and semi-custom material usually costs more than the stock material.
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