Stewardship Resource Directory
Search and download more than 30 stewardship resources and tips covering important topics like planned giving, stewardship-focused sermons, grants and much more.
Featured Resources
Click below to learn more about all stewardship items.
Stewardship for a Thriving Planet: Recovering the Full Meaning of the Human Vocation in Biblical Perspective
Category(s): Spirituality , Worship
Dr. Carol Frances Johnston and Rev. Stacy Emerson provide exegetical and a worship service for discussing the practice of generosity in light of Genesis 2-3. This is part of the 2023 Stewardship Theme Materials available at www.uccresource.com/generosity.
Strengthen the Church Offering Materials
Category(s): Strengthen the Church
The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.
Nurturing Generosity in Children
Author: Andy DeBraber | Category(s): Children and Youth , Generosity E-Newsletter
Andy DeBraber, Generosity Officer for the national setting of the UCC, reflects on the ways we can teach and model generosity for children.
Congregational Economic Evaluation Tool
Category(s): Fiscal Management , Leadership
The Congregational Economic Evaluation can help you identify which best practices you already do and which ones you could work on implementing. The survey draws on research by the Lake Institute at Indiana University.
What We Fund
Category(s): Grants
The United Church of Christ provides grants to congregations and scholarships to individuals to support our mission.
Appreciated Stocks
Category(s): Giving
Learn how a gift of appreciated stocks can allow you to pay less in taxes, give more to charity, and have a larger impact in the world.
IRA Distribution
Category(s): Giving
Learn how to make a charitable gift from an IRA that meets a required minimum distribution and supports the work of the United Church of Christ, whether a local congregation, conference, or the national setting.
Gift in Wills
Category(s): Giving
Learn how to make a gift in a will to support the work of the United Church of Christ, whether a local congregation, conference, or the national setting.
Our Church’s Wider Mission
Category(s): OCWM
The OCWM page provides an overview of the central way congregations and individuals support the mission of the United Church of Christ beyond the local congregation.
Online Giving Tip Sheet
Category(s): Fiscal Management , Generosity E-Newsletter , Leadership
The tip sheet provides practical ideas on implementing online giving options for a congregation.
Why Online Giving Matters
Author: Freeman Palmer | Category(s): Fiscal Management , Generosity E-Newsletter , Leadership
Congregations that offer online giving typically see an increase in giving. Rev. Freeman Palmer reflects on why online giving can help sustain the ministry of a congregation.
Grant Writing Tip Sheet
Author: Lee Gagen | Category(s): Generosity E-Newsletter , Grants , Leadership
Lee Gagen provides suggestions and ideas for leaders looking to apply for grant opportunities.
Reading the 11-Year Report
Author: Andrew Warner | Category(s): Fiscal Management , Generosity E-Newsletter , Governance , Leadership
A congregation’s 11-year report can be a useful tool for pastors and lay leaders to identify crucial trends.
The Big Secret of Giving: Hidden Treasures in Life and Church
Author: William Green | Category(s): Adult Education , Annual Stewardship , Spirituality
Willian Green offers brief reflections and prayers helping people to grow in generosity in this 30-day devotional. Available from UCC Resources here.
The Gifting God: Change the Way you Look at Giving
Author: Rochelle A. Stackhouse | Category(s): Adult Education , Annual Stewardship , Spirituality
A brief reflection on giving to the church. Ideal for use with small groups or individually to break open the often-difficult subject of giving. Based closely on the Bible, it can also be used effectively with stewardship or finance committees of the church. Written by Rochelle A. Stackhouse. Available from UCC Resources here.
For Such a Time as This
Author: Rochelle A. Stackhouse | Category(s): Adult Education , Annual Stewardship , Spirituality
A one-session Bible study on the Old Testament story of Esther and Mordecai shows your congregation how to find and use strength and wisdom to face financial and spiritual challenges. Includes questions for discussion. Written by Rochelle Stackhouse. Available from UCC Resources here.
Imagining Renewal for Your Congregation
Category(s): Adult Education , Generosity E-Newsletter , Strengthen the Church
Organize a congregational conversation can engage people in shifting from a mindset of scarcity to a mindset of abundance. Questions of about experiences of challenge, hope, and learning can help people reflect on their experience in a way that moves them to think more abundantly.
Strategically Generous?
Author: Andrew Warner | Category(s): Adult Education , Generosity E-Newsletter
Individuals can often feel overwhelmed by the number of philanthropic asks they receive. Engage your community in developing personal philanthropic strategies that draw on their faith and values to guide their decisions about giving.
Philanthropic Autobiography
Author: Lisa Hart | Category(s): Adult Education , Generosity E-Newsletter
Engaging people in questions about their relationship with money and the practice of giving can be an effective way to help adults to reflect on the spiritual practice of generosity.
The Rhythm of Generosity
Author: Andrew Warner | Category(s): Sermon , Spirituality , Worship
Andrew Warner preached about generosity as a spiritual practice.
Generosity Learning Opportunities
Category(s): Adult Education , Featured
The Learning Opportunities page highlights upcoming webinars and presentations across the United Church of Christ on stewardship and generosity.
Generosity Themed Worship
Author: Susan Blain, Andy DeBraber, Andrew Warner | Category(s): Liturgy and Service , Spirituality , Worship
This Worship Ways service is designed to be used and adapted by congregations when promoting generosity.
Stewardship Campaign Materials
Category(s): Annual Stewardship
From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context and size.
Teaching Generosity
Category(s): Adult Education , Leadership
The Teaching Generosity page provides ideas and resources for promoting generosity as a spiritual practice in congregations.
Worship Resources
Category(s): Spirituality , Worship
The Worship Resources page provides ideas and examples for lifting up generosity in worship services and sermons.
Annual Campaigns
Category(s): Annual Stewardship , Leadership
The Annual Campaigns page provides tips and resources for running an effective annual stewardship campaign in a congregation.
Need more worship resources?
Worship Ways are original liturgies written in English and in Spanish by United Church of Christ pastors, based on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Look for Sunday, festival and special UCC worship services, organized by seasons of the Church Year.
Support UCC Webinars
Covid-19 has kept us apart for so long. We miss you too! We look forward to seeing you in person again when we are all safe. Be sure to check out ucc.org/events for those in-person events!