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steward steward

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ABUNDANCE GOD’S MISSION, OUR GIFTS GOD’S MISSION, OUR GIFTS 3 3 3 3 3 3

How How How How How How

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SERVICE SERVICE

…EVERYTHING we think, say, and do after we say “I believe” …EVERYTHING we think, say, and do after we say “I believe” Stewardship is Stewardship is 3 How we spend our time 3 3 How How we we spend care forour ourtime body and make 3 healthy How wechoices care for our body and make choices 3 healthy Our priorities around money 3 Our priorities around money 3 How we choose to employ our talents 3 and Howgifts we choose to employ our talents and gifts

generosity generosity

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TALENT ABUNDANCE

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thanking thanking CREATION CREATION

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tithing tithing

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INVITING INVITING

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Stewardship offering Stewardship ASKING offering TALENT sharing sharing

manage our relationships manage our environment relationships care for the care for the practise our environment faith practise our faith

We are called as individuals and as congregations and communities into God’s mission. We We are called individuals and as God congregations andto communities intoare God’s mission.that We we participate by as giving the gifts that has entrusted us. These gifts everything participate by giving the gifts that God has entrusted to us. These gifts are everything that we have: our time, our talents and skills, and our treasure or physical resources. have: our time, our talents and skills, and our treasure or physical resources. Christian stewardship includes all aspects of our lives. It is about our personal, work, and family Christian stewardship includes all aspects of our lives. It is about ourmade personal, work, and It family life. It is about the good management of donations, including those to our church. is life. It is about the good management of donations, including those made to our church. It is about our congregational and denominational life, which flows from our individual and collective about our congregational and denominational life, which flows from our individual and collective desire to be part of God’s mission for the world. desire to be part of God’s mission for the world. Being stewards and encouraging all aspects of Christian stewardship is a ministry and formation Being stewards and encouraging all aspects Christian stewardship is a ministry and formation process that requires support, education, andofspiritual practice over time. process that requires support, education, and spiritual practice over time.

The United Church of Canada L’Église Unie du Canada The United Church of Canada Philanthropy UnitCanada • 1-800-268-3781 L’Église Unie du Philanthropy Unit • 1-800-268-3781 [email protected] • www.united-church.ca [email protected] • www.united-church.ca

Stewardship is a spiritual practice Stewardship is a spiritual practice In Our Daily Life In Our Daily Life

Our lives are defined by the choices we make Our lives are defined by the choices we make 3 as individuals 3 3 as as individuals members of a family 3 as 3 as members members of of a a family faith community 3 as members of a faith community How do our choices in each of these areas How doGod’s our choices in each of these areas further mission? further God’s mission?

od’s …ho “sw inve tuw ffe” fo G’sod’s r Gstod “sis tusiffo”nfor God m in God’s ’s missio indGod’s wnorl world

In Our Congregational Life In Our Congregational Life

Our congregational stewardship is how we, Oura congregational is how and we, as group of faithfulstewardship Christians, gather as a group of faithful Christians, gather and employ our resources to further God’s mission employ our resources to further God’s mission 3 in our congregation 3 in our our community congregation 3 in 3 our community 3 in through Mission and Service to our 3 congregational through Missionneeds and Service toneeds our in and the congregational and the in the our community,needs in Canada, andneeds around our community, in Canada, and around the globe globe We become stewards when we realize God’s grace in our lives. This inspires us to respond with We become when gratitude andstewards generosity by we realize God’s grace in our lives. This inspires us to respond with gratitude and generosity by 3 being thankful: thanking God in prayer and worship 3 thanking God of in prayer 3 being takingthankful: care: being caretakers all that and has worship been given to us 3 taking care: being caretakers of all that has 3 giving generously from what we have been been given given to us 3 giving generously from what we have been given We begin and end with gratitude and generosity. We recognize that everything comes from our We begin and end with gratitude and generosity. We recognize that the everything comes from God, whose very essence is generosity. God’s generosity begins with gift of all creation. It our God, whose very essence is generosity. God’s generosity begins with the gift of all creation. It continues through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the gift of life that we have been continues through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the gift of life that we have been given. given.

The spiritual practice of being a steward is The spiritual practice of being a steward is 3 a lifelong journey 3 3 3 3 3

a lifelong caring forjourney time, talent, treasure, tissue, terrain, trees… caring for talent, treasure, tissue, terrain, trees… living whattime, we believe living what we believe

Stewardship in the Bible Stewardship in the Bible “You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” “You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” —Amy Carmichael, Irish missionary —Amy Carmichael, Irish missionary

Photo: Photo: Kaitlin Kaitlin Bardswich/The Bardswich/The United United Church Church of Canada of Canada

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Congregational stewardship is year-round Congregational stewardship is year-round Congregational stewardship is a year-round practice—in learning, in worship, and in service. The leadership ofstewardship our congregations, ministers and laypeople, workintogether steward (gather, Congregational is a year-round practice—in learning, worship,to and in service. invest, and deploy) thecongregations, generous donations given the people of the congregation for (gather, the work The leadership of our ministers andby laypeople, work together to steward of God’s mission. invest, and deploy) the generous donations given by the people of the congregation for the work of God’s mission.

What Motivates Us to Give and Be Generous? What Motivates Us to Give and Be Generous? Gratitude: We give in thanks for all that has

5 Best Practices in Congregational Stewardship 5 Best Practices in Congregational Stewardship We bring stewardship alive in our

been givenWe to us. Gratitude: give in thanks for all that has been given to us. Compassion: We give to causes that touch our emotions.We give to causes that touch Compassion: our emotions. Hope: We give to those things that promote healing andgive hope contribute to promote the Hope: We to and those things that healing of the world. and hope and contribute to the healing of the world. Values: People give to people, to causes that speak to our values and toto what we are Values: People give to people, causes passionate about. that speak to our values and to what we are passionate about. Meaning: We give through a desire to make a positive in the lives of people and a Meaning:difference We give through a desire to make in our community. positive difference in the lives of people and in our community. Because we are motivated differently and are at different on our stewardship Because we areplaces motivated differently and journey, it is important to our offerstewardship multiple ways are at different places on and opportunities to give. journey, it is important to offer multiple ways and opportunities to give.

congregations by We bring stewardship alive in our congregations by 1. being clear about our mission: We need further than New Creed, which 1. look beingno clear about ourAmission: We need contains our mission. it carried look no further than AHow NewisCreed, which out in your is the contains ourcongregation? mission. How What is it carried plan, what funds are required? out inand your congregation? What is the plan, and what are required? 2. beginning with funds an annual “every ask” to encourage everyone to 2. person beginning with an annual “every participate the mission person ask”intofulfiling encourage everyone to participate in fulfiling the mission 3. weaving the stewardship themes of andstewardship generosity into worship, 3. gratitude weaving the themes of preaching, prayer, and learning gratitude and generosity into worship, throughout the year preaching, prayer, and learning throughout the year 4. inspiring generosity by telling the story our ministry and mission through 4. of inspiring generosity by telling the story effective communication, beginning of our ministry and mission through with a narrative budget effective communication, beginning with a narrative budget 5. never missing an opportunity to say you!” an opportunity to say 5. “Thank never missing “Thank you!”

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Frank —Anne —Anne Frank

Photo:Photo: KaitlinKaitlin Bardswich/The Bardswich/The United United Church Church of Canada of Canada

Stewardship is… ww ard …S wte hat s h e do ip … witis ha ll

Stewardship inspires and calls us to act Stewardship inspires and calls us to act

is…

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5 Reasons for Carrying Out an Annual Every Person Ask 1. It is the most effective means of providing individuals and families 5 Reasons for Carrying Out an Annual Every Person Ask with the opportunity to make a meaningful annual contribution to support the ministry of your church. 1. It is the most effective means of providing individuals and families with the opportunity 2. It models a routine and consistent practice of faithful and intentional stewardship. to make a meaningful annual contribution to support the ministry of your church. 3. It inspires and informs everyone about the ministry we undertake and the impact it has. 2. It models a routine and consistent practice of faithful and intentional stewardship. 4. It establishes healthy and generous giving habits. 3. It inspires and informs everyone about the ministry we undertake and the impact it has. 5. It provides an opportunity for individuals to annually renew their support and for 4. It establishes healthy and generous giving habits. congregations to plan, budget, and report on progress. 5. It provides an opportunity for individuals to annually renew their support and for congregations to plan, budget, and report on progress.

Inspire, Ask, and Thank…

For peopleAsk, to make and generous donations to our mission and ministry, we must do Inspire, andwilling Thank… the following: For people to make willing and generous donations to our mission and ministry, we must do the following: Inspire: Communicate how generosity has impacted lives and brought about change. Inspire: Communicate generosity has impacted livesmust and be brought about change. Ask: Make a direct andhow heartfelt request. Those who ask donors themselves. Ask: Make a direct and heartfelt request. Those who ask mustsobedonors donorsknow themselves. Thank: Begin by thanking, and acknowledge gifts personally their gifts are appreciated. Thank: Begin by thanking, and acknowledge gifts personally so donors know their gifts are appreciated.

Our Church Values and Requires Stewardship

Congregations and pastoral charges, according to The Manual 2013 (B.7.8.6), have specific Our Church Values and Requires Stewardship responsibility for education about the mission of our church—locally and more widely—and Congregations pastoral that charges, according to The Manual have specific what is requiredand to support mission; communication about2013 “the(B.7.8.6), funds needed for this responsibility for education about the mission of our church—locally and more widely—and mission and how they will be used”; encouraging participation in the mission; and reviewing what isthat required to support thatlocal mission; communication about “the funds needed and for this funds have been given for mission and Mission and Service. Presbyteries mission and how they will be used”; encouraging participation in the mission; and reviewing Conferences must have a mandatory standing committee on stewardship. funds that have been given for local mission and Mission and Service. Presbyteries and Conferences must have a mandatory standing committee on stewardship.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill

Photo:Bardswich/The Kaitlin Bardswich/The Unitedof Church of Canada Photo: Kaitlin United Church Canada

Stewardship

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Stewardship is biblical Stewardship is biblical 1. 1.

God saw everything that God had made, and indeed, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 that God had made, and indeed, it was very God saw everything good. Genesis 2. Truly I tell you, 1:31 just as you did not do it to one of the least of did not to did me.not Matthew 25:45 2. these, Truly I you tell you, justdo as it you do it to one of the least of these, you notthe do Lord it to me. Matthew 3. [A]nd whatdid does require of you25:45 but to do justice, and to lovewhat kindness, to walk humbly withbut your Micahand 6:8 3. [A]nd does and the Lord require of you to God? do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 4. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 4. For where6:19–21 your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 5. [A]ll shall6:19–21 give as they are able, according to the blessing of Deuteronomy 16:17 5. God.… [A]ll shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of God.… Deuteronomy 16:17 6. You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, yougo, willsell have treasure in heaven; then 6. You lack oneand thing; what you own, and give thecome, money follow me. Mark 10:21 to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. Mark 10:21we have from God is this: those who love 7. The commandment God must love their we brothers and sisters John who 4:21 love The commandment have from God isalso. this: 1those God must love their brothers and sisters also. 1 John 4:21 8. Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15 8. Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does consist inthe theyield abundance possessions. Luke 12:15 9. Set apartnot a tithe of all of yourof seed that is brought in 7.

yearly from the field. 14:22 9. Set apart a tithe of allDeuteronomy the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. Deuteronomy 14:22 10. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest these is love. Corinthians 13:13 three; and the 10. And nowof faith, hope, and1 love abide, these greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Ten only begins to highlight what the Bible says about living our faith—or being stewards. What arethe your favourites? What areour the Ten only begins to highlight what Bible says about living favourites of those in your congregation? faith—or being stewards. What are your favourites? What are the favourites of those in your congregation? Recommended reading: Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life byto Mark Allan Recommended reading: Giving God: The Powell. Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life by Mark Allan Powell.

Stewardship Stewardship Research Finding Research Finding

Photo: Photo: Kaitlin Kaitlin Bardswich/The Bardswich/The United United Church Church of Canada of Canada

Stewardship is… ard …aS bte s ouw h ip tm oney, buis …is t it

“Stewardship in The United ChurchinofThe “Stewardship Canada can only United Church of be practised byonly supporting Canada can be both the local church practised by supporting AND Mission both the localand church Service.” AND Mission and Service.” In United Church of CanadaChurch research In United carried out in 2013, 65 of Canada research percent of ministers carried out in 2013, 65 and 63 percent of percent of ministers M&S and stewardship and 63 percent of leaders with M&S andagreed stewardship this statement. is leaders agreed It with “both/and” rather this statement. It isthan “either/or.” “both/and” rather than “either/or.” Supporting the church’s ministry at home, Supporting the church’s across ministryour at country, home, and globally is how live our across our country, and commitment tolive God’s globally is how our mission in God’s world. commitment to God’s mission in God’s world.

“If my stewardship is more than I had planned, it is evidence faithplanned, at work in my heart.” “If my stewardship is more thanofI had it is evidence of faithBeing at work in my heart.” Stewards (1990) —United Church of Christ, Stewardship Council, —United Church of Christ, Stewardship Council, Being Stewards (1990)

S Ste tew waard rdssh hip ip is is… …

… …th thee re resp spo on nsi sib ble le u use se o f of G g Go if od ts d’s ’s gifts in lig h tt in lig h o f of G Go od d’s ’s p se pu urp as rpo ose as re reve veal aleed d in in Je Jesu suss

Stewardship Stewardship resources resources The The United United Church Church of of Canada’s Canada’s theological theological understanding understanding of of Christian Christian stewardship stewardship is is rooted rooted in in the the work work of of Dr. Dr. Douglas Douglas John John Hall, Hall, Emeritus Emeritus Professor Professor of of Christian Christian Theology Theology at at McGill McGill University. University. Of Of particular particular importance importance is is The The Steward: Steward: A A Biblical Biblical Symbol Symbol Come Come of of Age. Age.

www.stewardshiptoolkit.ca www.stewardshiptoolkit.ca The The essential essential source source for for United United Church Church of of Canada Canada stewardship stewardship resources. resources.

55 Books Books on on Theology Theology and and the the Practice Practice of of Whole Whole Life Life Stewardship Stewardship Adam Adam Hamilton, Hamilton, Enough: Enough: Discovering Discovering Joy Joy through through Simplicity Simplicity and and Generosity Generosity Anne Lamont, Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers Anne Lamont, Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers Eric Eric H.F. H.F. Law, Law, Holy Holy Currencies: Currencies: 6 6 Blessings Blessings for for Sustainable Sustainable Missional Missional Ministries* Ministries* Gabe Lyons, The Next Christians: Seven Ways You Can Live Gabe Lyons, The Next Christians: Seven Ways You Can Live the the Gospel Gospel and and Restore Restore the the World World Mark Allan Powell, Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life Mark Allan Powell, Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life

55 Leading Leading Writers Writers on on Congregational Congregational Stewardship Stewardship Kennon Kennon Callahan, Callahan, Giving Giving and and Stewardship Stewardship in in an an Effective Effective Church Church J. J. Cliff Cliff Christopher, Christopher, Rich Rich Church, Church, Poor Poor Church: Church: Keys Keys to to Effective Effective Financial Financial Ministry* Ministry* Thomas Thomas H. H. Jeavons Jeavons and and Rebekah Rebekah Burch Burch Basinger, Basinger, Growing Growing Givers’ Givers’ Hearts: Hearts: Treating Treating Fundraising Fundraising as as Ministry Ministry Christopher Levan, Thanks Giving: Growing Generosity among God’s People Christopher Levan, Thanks Giving: Growing Generosity among God’s People Henri Henri Nouwen, Nouwen, The The Spirituality Spirituality of of Fundraising Fundraising

55 Stewardship Stewardship Websites Websites of of Other Other Denominations Denominations (with (with similar similar basic basic assumptions assumptions about about stewardship) stewardship) Anglican Anglican Church Church of of Canada: Canada: Stewards Stewards for for Life Life www.anglican.ca/gifts/resources/sfl www.anglican.ca/gifts/resources/sfl Episcopal Episcopal Network Network for for Stewardship Stewardship www.tens.org www.tens.org Evangelical Evangelical Lutheran Lutheran Church Church in in Canada Canada elcic.ca/Stewardship/default.cfm elcic.ca/Stewardship/default.cfm Presbyterian Presbyterian Church Church of of Canada Canada presbyterian.ca presbyterian.ca United United Church Church of of Christ Christ www.ucc.org www.ucc.org

This This brochure brochure is is one one of of aa series series from from the the Philanthropy Philanthropy Unit: Unit: M&S M&S at at aa Glance, Glance, Making Making an an Enduring Enduring Gift Gift (Legacy Giving at a Glance), and Focusing on the Future Together (The United Church of (Legacy Giving at a Glance), and Focusing on the Future Together (The United Church of Canada Canada Foundation Foundation at at aa Glance). Glance).

www.stewardshiptoolkit.ca

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*If *If you you can can only only read read one, one, start start here. here.