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Stewardship

At the most basic level, doing something, anything regarding stewardship, will improve it. Regularizing stewardship in the congregation is what really makes a difference.

If interested in learning more about stewardship and how the oregon synod stewardship committee and you can become connected, please email your name, congregation and preferred email address to becky.brown@comcast.net.

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A story of King of Kings Lutheran Church , Milwaukie , Oregon 
King of Kings Lutheran Church was organized in 1965. Over the next 30 years it experienced several cycles of growth and decline. Early in 1997, King of Kings was in crisis! The pastor had left unexpectedly about two years earlier, reopening wounds from previous congregational events that had never healed. The congregation was dwindling, finances were short, and the mortgage and other payments had fallen several months behind! The members had taken to an “adopt a bill” program, where the congregation’s bills were posted on the bulletin board, hoping someone would adopt it and pay it. Something obviously needed to be done, but what? After much soul searching and praying, a proposal was presented by several members of the congregation to the new pastor of five months, in her first call. She supported it and the proposal was sent to the church council and, finally, to the congregation. It was adopted in January, 1998 by the congregation, who supported it with hope, but also with much fear and trepidation.

The proposal was to acknowledge everything in our possession is God’s, and to stop trying to control the situation, to just let go and trust in God, as He tells us to do! Included in this acknowledgement was the commitment to tithe “off the top” to synodical mission support the first ten percent of all offerings received. Where $161.00 was given to mission support to the Synod in 1996, 1997 saw mission support grow to $9,566.00! The Pastor, Pastor Solveig Nilsen-Goodin says, “Tithing was the first step-out in faith that we took together as a congregation, and it made all the difference.” The congregation has tithed mission support to the Synod ever since!

God fulfilled His promise. Between 1996 and 2001, worship attendance grew modestly by 34%, but regular giving increased by 219%, and by 2001 Synodical mission support had grown to over $16,000.00. Perhaps more importantly, however, is that over the years since 1997, other benevolence ministries were also undertaken. These include significant involvement and support in JOIN, a ministry for the homeless in Portland and in the Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good. The Micah fund was established to provide financial support for unknown future ministries. With the passing of the proposal in 1998, the focus of the congregation shifted from “paying the bills” to ministries. The congregational bills were caught up in about ten months, and the support of ministries grew.

The King of Kings annual stewardship programs in the late 1990’s were fairly uninspired, a light campaign including a commitment Sunday. The focus was on the meeting of the budget. In January, 1999, one year after taking the “leap of faith”, the Stewardship Committee determined it was time to move to a more formalized stewardship program, emphasizing the “need to give” and “growing” the congregation in what it means to be God’s children. Since then, the congregation has learned that they are “sent people”, being “out there” in the world with their various ministries of service to do God’s will and work in this world. They “send” forth dollars and hours to do their blessed work in their place, around Oregon, the country and the world. They now give away what others would hoard or worry about.

   
   

Reflections on Leadership Development… Is Our Congregation Ready for a New Generation of Leaders?
By Keith A. Mundy – Director for Area Ministry Stewardship Staff

Have you looked at the faces of the leaders in our congregation lately? Are the faces quite familiar? How many of those faces are under the age of forty? Is our congregation ready for a new generation of leaders?

For almost twenty years the leadership of most ELCA congregations has been strongly influenced by the boomer generation. However, starting this year the first of the boomers are reaching retirement age in their careers. This change in life focus often carries over into their leadership roles in the church. Research suggests that less than 4% of young adults serve as leaders at their church. Perhaps this is an opportunity to open the door for another generation of leaders to emerge.

Some congregations have discovered that people in their 20’s and 30’s are more likely to think of themselves as leaders than older adults. These individuals are often much more open to additional training to become leaders than the more mature generations. What traits do these new young leaders have to offer? Consider the following:

● A strong enthusiasm for Christ

● A passion to reach out and help others

● Communication skills that include the latest technology

● New and creative practices of hospitality

● A vision of a hopeful and positive future. However, these young adults often come in with some expectations.

● A worship that is alive and includes challenging preaching.

● A community centered on Jesus Christ, welcoming everyone and sharing leadership.

● A Christ like dedication that starts with leaders and is evident among all people in the worshipping community.

● A church that cares about community and places a strong emphasis on outreach and evangelism.

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Do these points sound promising or threatening to the life and leadership of our congregation? How did our grandparents answer this question when the boomers were turning 30? If there was a lack of encouragement, perhaps this was the impetus for this generation to find a new church home or leave the church altogether. If there was a sense of trust, perhaps this was the small opening that encouraged a young family to stay and become part of our faith community.

How ready is our congregation to welcome a new generation of leaders? Will our current leaders hold on tightly to their roles and responsibilities? Or will we see our roles evolve into the mentors of tomorrow’s leaders? How open are we to embracing the hopes and dreams of a new generation? Our answers to these questions will reflect how we understand and embrace our role as stewards of god’s mysteries as they pass from one generation to the next.

Copyright © 2007 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631. Salt Seasonings

   

Salt Seasonings Planning Calendar –
January, 2007

Here are activities your Stewardship Team may want to address this month:

If your annual financial response occurred in November or December, you will want to summarize results and share them with leaders and members.

Look at the year-end financial data for your congregation. What do you see in the giving patterns and levels? For example, look at the percentage of households who gave less than $3.00 per week ($156 per year). How has this number changed over the last three years? How has the percentage of households in this giving range changed over the last three years? If the number is flat or down, how will you connect with these households more effectively in the coming year?

January is a time to write Thank You Letters to members for their contributions of time, talents and money in the previous year. What might an Appreciation Reception look like during Epiphany?

The New Year is a time for new directions and resolutions. This is part of life management. How can you encourage and support members in their identification and pursuit of personal resolutions? What about tacking or taping new resolutions for the coming year to a door or window? (There is something Lutheran about this.) These can be anonymous, but the resolutions can be held up in prayer in the months ahead.

Where Your Offering Goes … is the title of a new piece that can be used as part of stewardship education. Simply go to the ELCA web sitewww.elca.org/resources/stewardship. You will find several formats. This is a good resource for a Temple Talk and distribution prior to your annual meeting. Specifically, note the financial resources your congregation sends beyond your walls.

Have you completed your Stewardship Report for the annual congregational meeting? We suggest a one-page report that summarizes activities and outcomes for the year.

Many congregations elect new leaders in January and February. Who will be on your Stewardship Team for the coming year? Look to include at least two people under the age of 40. This will help grow future steward leaders. Plan an orientation session for new members.

What is your calendar for the coming year? Look at the ELCA Stewardship Planning Calendar on the web site (www.elca.org/resources/stewardship). There are also guidelines on how to use this calendar.

Copyright © 2006 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631. Salt Seasonings

   

ELCA Stewardship Resources
    
     

Oregon Synod
Stewardship Committee Documents

   

We Are Gifted
Quarterly Newsletter of the
Oregon Synod Stewardship Committee

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