Stewardship campaigns are now underway in many congregations. Here are some keys to talking about God and money.

In 2012, North Charleton United Methodist Church had not paid its apportionments for several years, says Linda Vaughan, the worship-design team chair. “After looking over the list of things that the apportionment monies are used for, several people in key leadership positions decided something had to be done in our church to contribute our fair share.”

By autumn 2013, when a campaign to educate the congregation began, the church “had paid a meager 6 percent of our apportionment,” she says.

The campaign included “one-on-one talking about why apportionment and connectional giving was not just mandatory but (also) important,” an article in the monthly newsletter explaining the purpose of apportionments, pulpit announcements, an appeal by the finance committee to less-active church members and some serious number crunching by the finance committee.

“By the end of December 2013, we were writing a check for the full apportionment!” exclaims Vaughan. The church planned to use funds raised from a “Tea Room and Silent Auction” and its annual fall bazaar to help pay its share.

Find comfortable ways to discuss money

“Research shows that church people know little about faith and giving,” says the Rev. Lovett Weems, director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. “They have not rejected Christian principles of giving so much as never having learned them. We also know how difficult it is to find comfortable ways for people to discuss money.”

Weems suggests local churches:

• Talk about how “the need for people to give as an expression of their faith is far greater than the church’s need to receive funds.”
• Invite people to participate in “God’s vision for your church to change lives and the community.”
• Emphasize stewardship of all possessions, not just the portion given to the church.
• Give as much attention to helping members understand and address their personal financial issues as to the financial needs of the church.

 

Last Updated on November 3, 2015