More Stewardship Ideas and Resources

Stewardship Ideas

• Kristine Miller from Horizons Stewardship offers 5 ideas learned from nonprofits which churches can use to connect mission and generosity.
• Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, by Mike Slaughter is a good read and offers a glimpse of the Stewardship Summit’s keynote speaker More
• Learn how a small membership church uses electronic giving options to encourage generosity
• Clif Christopher provides new insight and challenges to congregations in his latest book  Rich Church Poor Church
• Now available Committed to Christ by Bob Crossman, a comprehensive annual stewardship campaign resource
• The General Board of Discipleship has planned year-long free, online training in financial stewardship. See the webinar schedule for details on these one-hour workshops. (11/26)
• Looking for more good stewardship ideas? Check this out - Beyond the Top Ten List. (9/26)
• The handouts from the many workshops offered at this year’s stewardship conference ”Great Expectations” are now available. (9/14)
• God’s Slice - View this video clip that gets to the heart of stewardship. (5/5)
• Thanks to Luther Seminary for this free Ebook, How Much Is Enough: A Deeper Look at Stewardship. (3/28)
• The Board of Discipleship now offers free esubscriptions of lectionary-based offertory prayers. (3/15)
• God’s Slice - Watch this lighthearted video that gets to the heart of stewardship (2/15)
• Lenten Devotional - Thanks to Luther Seminary, St. Paul MN for this stewardship-focused resource for congregations (2/15)
• More From Clif Christopher - Read his most recent stewardship tips. (launch)
• Building Strong Churches - Download the “50 Ways to Build Strength” series from the Lewis Center. (launch)
• Add Another Way to Give - GCFA and Vanco Services have partnered to offer electronic giving options for all UM churches at very affordable feeds. Learn more (launch)

Other Resources

• Giving Magazine’s 2013 annual stewardship emphasis is “Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation.”  The 8-page pull-out provides details for a 4-week campaign. You can also purchase previous years’ programs.
• The IRA Charitable Rollover is back! It offers tax advantaged options for some seniors
• Read the “2013 Congregational Economic Impact Survey” published by Indian University’s School of Philanthropy.  This study of more than 3,000 US congregations documents financial gains and challenges from 2007 through 2012.
• This extensive 2010 survey of US churches offers key factors which lead to church vitality and growth. (4/4)
• In his book The Real Work of Leaders David Laurie focuses on “The Seven Essential Acts of Leadership.”  (3/28)
• Bill Hybels recently started a sermon series on money and finances.  Listen to “How the Dutch Do Money.” (3/1)
• Funding Ministry - In “Finding Your Fundraising Voice,” Dan Hotchkiss reflects on the need to go beyond the latest program resources and longstanding notions of raising funds. (2/15)
• Lenten Devotional - Thanks to Luther Seminary, St. Paul MN for this stewardship-focused resource for congregations (2/15)
• Clergy Tax Information - The GCFA Tax Packet contains numerous documents to assist UM clergy and local churches in tax matters. (launch)
• A Decade of Change in American Churches - “A Decade of Change in American Congregations, 2000-2010″ Read the Report (launch)
• Change in Charitable Gift Annuity Rates - The American Council on Gift Annuities announced new rates effective January 1, 2012. Read More (launch)