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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 "Churchstewardship & 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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Giving increased through the use of the "Let Love Guide You" program (an Every Member Call) at a California church. Receipts went up still higher when the same program was used in a second year with a group meeting approach.
A successful year-round program of stewardship education needs to include an opportunity for personal commitment. The emphasis on the grateful response of a redeemed life, giving demonstration of its commitment, led to the "Let Love Guide You" program with its emphasis on proper use of time, abilities and resources.
The church board approved and appointed a general chairman and chairmen of four basic committees - publicity, prayer, resources and calls. The pastoral staff was actively involved and workers and visitors were quickly recruited. During the training period, the visitors were aided by the use of a "Calling" pamphlet and other training aids. All had to make their own commitment before they could ask another.
Materials used included a weekly letter to every home, arriving on the Monday following the pastor's message on the theme, posters, Sunday bulletins, bulletin inserts and mailing enclosures. A Time, Abilities, Resources survey folder was sent to every home to aid family members to consider their commitments before the visitors came. On Commitment Sunday visitors went into every home, using a flip chart to tell the story. The result was an encouraging increase in financial response and many new commitments for service. All materials listed above available from
www.ChurchStewardship.com.
The call in the home tends to become perfunctory if used year after year. It was felt that the second year's approach should be through group meetings. All of the "Let Love Guide You" materials were used again. Calling teams were trained to reach those who did not come to the group meetings.
The congregation was divided into four groups. Four nights, Monday through Thursday of the same week, were set for the meetings in the church and one quarter of the membership was invited each evening. A telephone brigade was organized to secure a response to the invitation. An unadvertised makeup session was planned for Sunday afternoon, following the week of group meetings, to reach those who had not attended during the week.
The program for each evening was simple by effective. Four presentations were made using slides with narrations by the pastoral staff. The first featured the church's program of worship and evangelism plus a survey of their missionary concerns and local ministry. The second highlighted the Christian Education Department and program. Cards calling for a commitment to service were then distributed. Prayer was offered and a song of commitment was sung. Cards were then signed and collected. The third presentation told how funds received had been used. The final presentation summarized biblical reasons for giving to God's work. Commitment cards for finances were distributed. Prayer was offered, music provided and cards filled in and returned. Refreshments and fellowship closed the evening.
Over 60% of the membership is involved in serving in some capacity. Stewardship programming, which led to commitments in the home or in-group meetings, paid off.
Approaches outlined above are fully developed in the two program manuals "Let Love Guide You" and additional materials are available from www.ChurchStewardship.com. "Let Love Guide You" gives full details for a call in every home and can be used very successfully in group meetings.
"Check it" envelope under "offering envelopes" is great if you don't use envelope sets or need a pew envelope. Many uses.
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