Getting started

The adage, if we fail to plan we will plan to fail, is true at multiple levels of organizational life. The church, given its calling from God to serve the world and bring in the Kingdom as Jesus described it, requires similar intentionality.

A church’s financial stewardship ministry is a year-round process. When it is done well, it reflects careful attention to detail and the involvement of its clergy and lay leaders.

Everence has created a series of financial planning tools to help guide this work, based on our Stewardship Ministry Wheel.

• Planning for the future: having a clear sense of vision and mission
• Telling our story: communicating about our past, present and future 
• Teaching stewardship principles: promoting biblical stewardship 
• Asking for involvement: unleashing the gifts of all our members
• Thanking givers and volunteers: expressing gratitude to God and one another

Note that not everything will be accomplished in one year. Stewardship ministry is an ongoing, multi-year process. Therefore, after you become familiar with the stewardship ministry wheel introduction, we suggest you go next to the assessment tool and decide where to begin your work based on what you perceive to be your greatest need. The third resource focuses on thanking people, and we’ll develop additional resources to address other segments of the wheel. 

As always, feel free to contact your Stewardship Consultant for assistance in developing your own customized year-round stewardship planning process.