Technology and Stewardship–Times They Are Changing

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Giving Speaks

smart phone and money

What is the current state of charitable giving? There are definite signs of improvement in the U.S. economy, yet the effects of the recent recession appear to be lingering with regard to giving to religious and other charitable organizations. In light of our tightening family budgets, we must be more resourceful, efficient, and responsive than ever in our stewardship practices.

What trends are affecting us? Technology presents new challenges alongside immense potential benefits. With the heightened use of the Internet and the advent of social networking, there is an increasing dependence on computer and smart phone technology. The changes in online communication and information sharing are happening at a startlingly rapid pace and we must adapt our practices in order to keep in step with these ever-evolving changes.

What must we remember? Giving is about relationships. Fundraising and stewardship are about giving, and therefore, attention must be focused on our relationships as a multigenerational community. Generosity springs from the heart. It is not a rational matter, but a relational matter – an emotional response to that which inspires and motivates.

Why do we give generously to our congregation? First, we give as individuals who are grateful to be part of a faith community. We care deeply about the principles and values of our faith, and in affirmation of our congregation’s mission, ministries, and programs that make a difference in our lives, and in our local communities and society at large. We give because our congregation and wider faith are worthy of our deepest commitment and greatest generosity.

How might we respond to these trends and priorities?

1) Increase online visibility—your congregation’s website must be visually appealing, with content that reflects your mission, values, and ways people of all ages can be involved. Include a compelling message about the importance of stewardship and means for online pledging and/or giving. Exploring other websites for good ideas and features. Resources for website development– content ideas, blogs, and video clips, go to http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/55397.shtml

2) Make use of electronic communication and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to promote your congregation. Email, electronic newsletters, and social networking are primary means of communication for younger generations and increasingly so among middle and older adults.

3) Establish or Develop a Planned Giving Program—there is a current shift in generational giving patterns and a significant transference of wealth underway. For info on setting up a planned giving program: http://www.uua.org/giving/plannedgifts/100780.shtml

4) Budget for Growth and Advancement, not Maintenance and Decline—align your budget to reflect your congregation’s mission, values, priorities, ministries, and programs. For advice on congregation budgets: https://givingspeaks.wordpress.com and http://congregationalstewardship.blogs.uua.org

Stewardship as Ministry

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Giving Speaks

Regardless of religious affiliation, there are things that are being learned about congregational stewardship that can be of great help to us—particularly in managing the realities of today’s economy. There is much wisdom to be gleaned from current research about congregational giving, fundraising, and stewardship.

Stewardship is a ministry. It is much broader in scope than fundraising, and requires a highly relational and pastoral approach.
All of the resources of the congregation or faith community are involved in the broadest scope of stewardship: money, property, people, time, and energy.
Hospitality, careful tending and management of resources, and a clear vision and mission are key aspects of stewardship in the congregation.
Giving and generosity are matters of the spirit and are at the heart of stewardship.
Giving is a spiritual discipline at its core, a practice that reflects one’s faith as well as spiritual depth and maturity.
Becoming a generous person involves a lifelong, developmental process which begins in infancy with receiving love. Generosity evolves with mutually-reinforcing experiences of giving and receiving.
There is a direct relationship between one’s deepest held values and the motivation to give. We contribute our time and resources to those things that matter most in our lives, as reflected in our bank statements and budgets.
Our religious leaders—particularly ministers and religious educators—must take an active role in modeling and teaching good stewardship in order for the concepts and principles to take root in their congregations.
Regardless of the economic context, congregations with the highest household giving levels focus on an inspiring mission and vision, engage in a visible, year-round stewardship program, and ask for levels of financial support that are proportionately appropriate for each individual or family.
Generous congregations provide a safe environment in which to talk about money and its role in peoples’ lives. They offer training and support in personal financial planning and giving choices so that generosity can be practiced.
Generous behavior in faith communities is often expected but cannot be taken for granted. It is important to express appreciation and gratitude for all that people contribute and for all gifts received.

For more resources to promote generosity among individuals and households in your Unitarian Universalist congregation:

http://www.uua.org/leaders/stewardship/67537.shtml http://www.uua.org/leaders/stewardship/index.shtml

Ecumenical Stewardship Center, with links to a number of denominational stewardship websites: http://www.stewardshipresources.org/

Lake Institute for Faith and Giving: http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/Lakefamilyinstitute/

Alban Institute: http://www.alban.org

‘Tis the Season of Generosity

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Giving Speaks

‘Tis the Season of Generosity!

The Holiday Season is filled with celebrations of light, love, and community. This is the time for honoring religious traditions and practicing the rituals of the faithful. As we move through the end of the year and across the threshold of the winter solstice into the new year, we are inspired by the impulse to give. In our religious communities, this often occurs through the offering in the context of worship.

The offering has been the central act of worship for human beings since ancient times. In the earliest times, sacrificial offerings of the best livestock or first fruits of the crop were ceremonially given to the gods. In modern times, money is placed in the offering plate during Sunday morning service to support the work of the faith community. Throughout time the offering has been a way for individuals and families to contribute some of what they have to benefit their community. Making an offering is considered an act of faith: faith in the community, faith is something greater than oneself, and a tangible expression of gratitude for all received in life. In its deepest and purest expression, the act of giving out of a sense of gratitude, is a spiritual practice.

Over time, this practice of the offering has been institutionalized by religions around the world. The concepts and practices are explicitly taught in many religions. In her book Giving—the Sacred Art, Lauren Tyler Wright refers to the practice of giving that each faith tradition brings to the “table of generosity.” She continues by describing the language and expressions of giving to religion:

Each tradition brings to the table a beautiful history of sacred texts, stories, and experiences, and each faith contributes to the intricate landscape of religious giving with a beautiful assortment of expressions: stewardship, almsgiving zakat (alms tax), sadaqah (voluntary charity), dana (charity), charity, Chesed (loving kindness), Tzedakah (righteous giving), tikkun olam (repairing the world). As I write, I imagine this wide variety of religious perspectives engaging in dialogue, not debate. While we may disagree on a host of ideologies, we can all sit around the table of generosity and share our understandings of this common practice. And in doing so, I have a feeling we will discover that our spiritual journeys are more alike than we may have thought.

Though religion continues to be the beneficiary of the largest share of charitable giving, it is losing some ground as giving increases to other charitable organizations. Once the recipient of 60 percent of all charitable giving, for the first time in recorded history, giving to religion has dropped to just under 33 percent. It appears that the competition for charitable dollars is heating up and religious leaders and consultants are asking, why? What makes the difference for people in choosing where to give?

Church fundraising consultant and former parish minister, J. Clif Christopher, is convinced that religious organizations must develop appropriate fundraising strategies using current methods to keep pace with their missions and financial needs. These strategies and methods will need to include greater involvement by the minister and board leaders in active fundraising and teaching of stewardship. More analysis must take place for each congregation to better know and understand its donors, their patterns of giving, and their capacity for giving.

Finally, it is essential that religious leaders know how to effectively ask for contributions and to communicate with donors in compelling, energizing ways all through the year. In other words, we need to get better at inviting generosity that brings joy to the giver!

We know from an array of studies that people who regularly attend religious communities give more. Givers give more when they are influenced by experiencing a generous culture. People are more generous when they learn how to give according to their religious teachings, observe generous behavior, feel gratitude for their community, and have opportunities to talk about money and giving as expressions of their faith values. Religious communities must be intentional about creating this kind of culture and learning experiences.

According to Christopher and others, the three primary reasons people give to congregations and other organizations are:

1) Belief in the mission of the organization,

2) Regard for the staff leadership of the organization, and

3) Fiscal responsibility.

In addition, people clearly want to make a difference in the world, to change lives for the better, and to leave a legacy that reflects this desire and to instill a sense of accomplishment.

Faith communities today have a big job to do—to change lives. We must focus on the task of changing lives and making a difference in the world, beyond the doors of the congregation day in and day out. This level of change cannot be accomplished by busying our members with committee work and social activities, then telling them there is not enough funding and more money is needed to keep it all going.

How will your community change peoples’ lives and make a difference in the world as we move into the new year?