Do you ever wonder about the roles that congregational leaders can play in effective stewardship?  

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Role of the Board

• Be active and intentional stewards, modeling good and responsible stewardship behavior.
• Take the lead in making financial commitments before asking the congregation to do so.
• Discuss stewardship issues regularly in Board meetings and in the congregation.
• Establish stewardship and fundraising policies and procedures.
• Set annual stewardship goals in alignment with the congregation’s mission, vision, and strategic planning.
• Appoint and guide a stewardship team to serve actively year-round.
• Plan regular opportunities for stewardship education for all ages.
• Provide a variety of ways that congregants can contribute in support of their congregation, its ministry in the wider community, and to its Association.
• Express appreciation for congregational giving.
• Inform the congregation about how their financial gifts are used.
• Ensure that new members receive clear information about the importance of congregational stewardship.

Role of the Stewardship Team

• Be active and intentional stewards, modeling good and responsible stewardship behavior.
• Take the lead in making financial commitments before asking the congregation to do so.
• Plan and establish a year-round, comprehensive stewardship program.
• Plan and implement the annual budget drive campaign that reflects the congregation’s mission, vision, and priorities.
• Gather financial commitments from congregants.
• Provide regular and accurate updates to the congregation about stewardship, needs, and giving levels.
• Express appreciation and affirmation to all givers for their contributions.

Role of the Congregation

• Support the mission and vision of the congregation through a commitment to Unitarian Universalism principles and values.
• Make an annual pledge of financial commitment to the congregation.
• Contribute financial gifts to the congregation on a regular basis.
• Adjust lifestyle and spending habits to make generous giving possible.
• Take an active interest in congregational stewardship, engaging in the work of stewardship through personal reflection, learning, and action.
• Offer time, energy and commitment in ways other than financial.
• Celebrate generosity and successes!

Role of the Minister

• Be an active and intentional steward, modeling good and responsible stewardship behavior.
• Encourage a discernment process about stewardship in support of the congregation’s mission, vision, and strategic planning.
• Preach sermons with stewardship themes regularly.
• Emphasize the importance and value of stewardship as a spiritual practice.
• Incorporate a stewardship message in Sunday services weekly, through invitations to the offering, prayers, readings, and personal reflections.
• Meet regularly with the stewardship team.
• Provide for the pastoral needs of congregants and stewardship leaders that may arise with the discussions about money and people’s complex relationships with money.
• Engage lay leaders in open and honest conversations about the importance of stewardship, giving, generosity, and money—in their lives and in the life of the congregation.
• Take an active role in stewardship in the congregation, including identifying,  cultivating, and thanking major contributors.
• Provide guidance and training for small group ministry facilitators on topics of money, stewardship, and giving.

Role of the Religious Educator and RE Program

• Be an active and intentional steward, modeling good and responsible stewardship behavior.
• Engage with staff colleagues and lay leaders in a discernment process about stewardship in support of  the congregation’s mission, vision, and strategic planning.
• Help the congregation with its understanding generosity as a developmental process and stewardship as learned behavior.
• Plan multigenerational activities and experiential programs for learning about the values of generosity, sharing, stewardship, and service.
• Facilitate communication about congregational stewardship to RE families, youth and young adult participants via program materials, newsletters, visual displays, and website.
• Convey generosity and stewardship themes through multigenerational worship and religious education classes.

This may be a great point in the year to begin thinking about a Stewardship Leader Retreat for your congregation board and stewardship leaders as you plan for your next annual campaign.

Contact me today to schedule~

givingspeaks@gmail.com