Stewardship and Church Finances

Theme Materials

"The World of the Generous Gets Larger and Larger."Based on Proverbs 11:24 (The Message,)

The materials include posters, bulletin inserts,time and talent cards,pledge cards, note cards, and stationary each with the inspiring theme and art work. Worship Resources for our 2008 Stewardship Theme 2008 are ordinated with the theme materials and the lectionary readings.

Financial Wellness
As stewardship leaders, you know growing generous givers begins with financial wellness. Now you can send your church members to 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, recommended by the Pension Boards. This comprehensive web site will give your members the tools needed to help them out of a financial crisis, assist them in teaching their children about money or guide them with their retirement plans. Use this biblical reflection to introduce the subject of financial wellness.

Additionally, the National Council on Aging offers a Benefits Check Up. It's quick, easy and anonymous.
Since its inception in 2001, BenefitsCheckUp® has helped two million seniors determine eligibility for these programs and has identified over $5.8 billion in public benefits support. BenefitsCheckUp® includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These programs include health care, prescription drug assistance, heating and energy assistance, legal services, housing assistance, property tax programs and nutrition programs, as well as volunteer and training opportunities and education programs.

Picture Budgets

We all know a picture is worth a thousand words, so follow these guidelines to create your own picture budget instead of the usual (See samples by clicking on links below):

Open with a friendly, personal letter from the pastor -- don't forget the pastor's picture!
Keep your stories brief and joyful.
Include scripture that captures your church's vision.
Use the words "we" and "our."
Group church spending into categories, like "Worship," "Community," "Outreach."
Use active photos that show people's faces. Close-ups are good!
Avoid pictures of people at meetings!
Invite your congregation to prayerfully consider their pledge and to grow their giving each year.

Click here to see a sample Picture Budget or Church Story Book!

InspiringGenerosity
Chapter Four: Asking for Support
(Preview here.)

To order call: 800-537-3394 $15

"This is, by far, the best stewardship resource I have ever seen, by any denomination!"
--Lynne Hansen
Stewardship Chair, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Cleveland

"WOW! This will breathe life into our churches!"
– Rev. Wade Schemmel
Conference Minister, Northern Plains Conference

OCWM Connections

Does your stewardship ministry include connecting your members to Our Church's Wider Mission—the broader mission of the church, nationally and globally? We can help you with that, too. Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support funds the UCC's Conference and National ministries. Our Church's Wider Mission Special Support includes the four special mission offerings in the United Church of Christ: Neighbors in Need, The Christmas Fund, One Great Hour of Sharing, and Strengthen the Church.

5 for 5, Covenant Keepers
If your congregation gives to each of these offerings and to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support, then you are a "5 for 5" church! And if your church is giving 10% or more of your operating expenses to Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support then you are also a Covenant Keeper!

Additional Resources / LINKS

Did you know Online Mission Moments give churches a UCC mission story for every Sunday of the year? Just cut and paste these into your bulletins. Speaking of bulletins, have you checked out the UCC Sunday Bulletin Service? They feature full-color front covers and a UCC mission story on the back to inform and inspire. Now that you've inspired generosity, do you want to make it easy for your members to give? The UCC's electronic giving program, called StillspeakingMoney, is designed to do just that. Sign up for the Daily Devotional available through i.UCC.org; a reflection by the Stillspeaking Writers' Group.

For even more ideas simply click here.

Use Mission Moments every week to tell a story about your congregation's connection with the wider church. Each issue - which is designed to be inserted with your newsletter or Sunday worship leaflet - is an effective way to inform your members about what they make possible through their gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission.

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