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Giving Quality Stewardship Meditations
Introduction:
1. Unless we see the need, we are not apt to do the work involved in
stewardship meditations.
2. Unless we see the value in giving meditations, we are not apt to build
them into the services.
I. Getting a view of local church giving.
A. We need to determine local giving.
1. Because we are leaders, we need to stay informed about local
giving.
2. We need to do our own independent research.
We may find records are poorly kept. The IRS will ultimately hold
us accountable for these.
3. Significant leadership decisions are based on this information. The
future of missions, new church planting, staff expansion and staff
salaries are involved, as well as potential building programs.
B.How to determine the local giving levels.
It is easiest to use a computer with a spreadsheet program like
Quattro Pro Version 5.
1.Determining the weekly averages.
a. 13 week moving average.
b. 26 week moving average.
c. 39 week moving average
Hopefully, the 13 is above the 26 and the 39.
2.Determining the per capita average.
$16 per person is good.
$20 is about tops.
Simply divide the number present into the offering,
including any special offering.
C.Getting our view of the local shortfall in perspective.
1.Large, undesignated saving accounts severely dampen church
income.
2.The local church has greater capability than we know. The
preacher may be convinced that everyone is poor. Parachurch
giving proves otherwise.
3.Giving is godly, not an unmentionable. We must include it in our
own conversations.
"Where thy treasure is . . . "
4.Giving is a very important part of worship.
List verses
5.Our failure to grasp the task is holding back the purpose of the
church. The potential for financial expansion is enormous in nearly
every church.
II. Correcting the shortfall
A. Direct teaching for new Christians. Make it very early on in their
experience with the congregation.
B. Offer seminars on managing personal finances. Bring in an outside
"expert."
Utilize the books and videos of Ron Blue, Larry Burkett or Malcolm
MacGregor.
C.Conduct concentrated Stewardship programs each fall.
For children: Monthly Money 1-809-547-4848
All-church programs:
Church Growth Dynamics 1-800-553-4769
D. Weekly Stewardship Meditations.
1.Given in the Assembly.
a. Pre-planned meditations limit the speaker's time.
These are a MUST.
b. Pre-planned meditations also take away from the presenter the
direct responsibility of saying things that need to be said, but
maybe harsh for some ears.
2. Reinforced in the bulletin
Spoken Meditations can be reproduced in the Sunday bulletin or
other meditations can be reproduced there.
3. Occasionally substitute a need and a personal commitment to that
special need.
4. Weekly meditations may reach the emotional, project givers. Every
church needs four projects each year for those who give without
planning.
E. Feedback to the church about the results of giving.
Feedback should take several forms so that a variety of people get
the facts.
1. Include in the bulletin.
a. Keep the churchþs financial goals clear to everyone.
b. Keep our giving results clear to everyone. Do this weekly.
c. Keep the number of givers clear to everyone.
2. Include a large giving chart on the church bulletin board. Update
it weekly.
3. Mail a quarterly letter to each family showing the amount they have
given in the previous quarter. This means that all checks must be
recorded.
4. Sponsor a banquet to celebrate our offerings to the Lord -
perhaps in conjunction with Thanksgiving.
Conclusion:
1. Review the entire giving scene.
2. Focus on the subject of giving for each member weekly
3. Choose words carefully.
4. Expect slow, but steady, expansion in giving.
Resources:
What the Bible Says About Money. Alger Fitch. College Press. 1987