Stewardship in the COVID Era
by Rev. David Nieda
When we began this journey with the COVID pandemic late last winter, almost everyone thought we’d be through this by now. We are blessed to have pastors and laity in our churches who have led effectively and learned more about technology and video production than they could ever have imagined. Now, into September, we still, with good reason, are a virtual church and stewardship season is just around the corner. The pastors we’ve talked to are mostly going with a modified version of programs they’ve used in recent years. Some are using components of Herb Miller’s Consecration Sunday (see resources below). Others are using letter writing campaigns and lay testimony shared via letter and perhaps video. Most of the published stewardship curriculum is designed for in-person gatherings and small groups and most of this curriculum can be modified to work online. We list a few below. Given that we’re living in an unusual time in which as much as possible, we’re wanting the usual to happen, the question we want to address is: what still holds true about stewardship in the COVID era?
Stewardship as Discipleship
The practice of generous giving is a mark of a growing disciple in Jesus. While we in the church have often had an awkward relationship with money, Jesus did not shy away from this talk. The rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-27), the poor widow (Mark 12:41-44), two masters (Matt. 6:19-24) and talents (Matt. 25:14-30) are some among many references to money. Along with the practices of engaged worship (even online), active fellowship (even on Zoom), disciplined prayer and study, and compassionate service (masked and social distant), generous giving is a cornerstone to growing as a disciple. Regular generous giving as a practice of discipleship changes our relationship with money. Through acts of generosity we begin to find our being in who we are as beloved children of God rather than find our being in how much stuff we have. My friend Rev. Shane Moore reminded me of the John Wesley quote, “Not how much of my money will I give to God, but, how much of God’s money will I keep for myself.”
Stewardship is Driven by Mission
While there are many reports about changing trends in giving patterns across the generations, such as this infographic from Classy.org, passion for the mission of the organization is the key driver to encouraging generosity. So, the questions to ask: Is your church’s mission clear? Does the congregation own the mission? Will the people give witness to the mission beyond the church and into the community? Those who are witnesses to your ministry’s mission can become champions for stewardship at your church. These questions are easier asked than answered and are part of the long-term discipleship strategy of a church. Churches have found it helpful to integrate education, challenge, and celebration of mission into the practices of corporate and personal discipleship.
The Necessity of the Financial Ask
Whether it comes in the form of a letter or a sermon, delivered live or via streaming, the financial ask needs to be unapologetically made. This can be a tough one for some of us. As a local church pastor for many years, making the ask, whether during stewardship season or for a capital campaign, never got to be easy. And yet, it needed to happen. So, for the laity reading this article, welcome and thank your lay and clergy leaders in making the financial ask. The need to pay the bills (including salaries and benefits) leads your church closer to accomplishing the mission. Having staff to lead you, the technology to keep you connected, especially in this pandemic, and a space ready for you once we return to in-person gatherings all contribute to the mission of your church. For the clergy and lay leaders reading this, making the ask for the sake of the mission is the responsibility of leaders. It is not only practically necessary but it is vital to the discipleship growth of your people. You have been called to this church and God’s mission for your church is worth the ask.
The Power of Storytelling
Cesie Delve-Schuermann and her blog Inspiring Generosity is a gift to our GNW region in the area of stewardship. In multiple blogs, she uses stories to encourage and inspire generosity amongst our churches (see her recent post 2 Emotions You Must Release for Effective Storytelling). Jesus told stories (parables) to get his points across regarding the love of God and the value of people. Stories matter and have an impact. When we experience someone’s story, we feel connected. And when we hear stories about the difference our ministry is making in the lives of individuals, we cannot help but be moved, even if we don’t know them personally. I have watched several of our churches’ online worship services and the simple self-made videos of laity, most of whom I don’t know, sharing their stories are most compelling for me. So, for the laity reading this article, offer a story that can be told about how God impacted your life through the church. Your pastor will appreciate it and your congregation will be inspired. It doesn’t have to be intricate or long. Simple and short can be very impactful.
Multiple Avenues to Giving
By now many of our churches have made provisions for online giving available. In this time of the pandemic shutdown, using this technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity. And, as we move further into the future, we will need to think about ways to give in three categories:
Checks and cash through the offering plate or mail
Online giving via direct deposits, a link on website, or email with links
Mobile giving via text or donation app
There are multiple platforms for online/mobile giving and more options always being developed. The PNW and OR-ID Conferences use services by Vanco. Determining a platform can be confusing and overwhelming, however, providing as many donation connecting points as possible will ensure that everyone who wants to donate can find a path to do so. Some things to consider as you expand your ability to receive offerings electronically:
It is fairly common now for people to pay bills electronically. A simple way for people to give is a direct electronic payment from their bank account to the church’s account. Most banks offer this service free of charge. My wife and I support a local non-profit with an automatic monthly payment so that the organization can anticipate our contribution every month.
There will be a cost related to online giving, usually in the form of a percentage-of-transaction fee. While paying a fee is not ideal, we must realize that there was always a cost related to stewardship, whether providing a stewardship program, offering envelopes, or dinner for donors.
Making payments via a mobile device is quickly becoming the norm. Whether paying a bill, a friend or making a donation, more and more people are linking their credit cards or bank through Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal or others. Paying bills, making donations, or even repaying a friend after splitting the bill for dinner can all be done quickly and efficiently with our cell phones. We have to consider this reality in the church.
The Importance of Thank You
Cesie Delve-Schuermann has been preaching “thank you” ever since she’s started her blog Inspiring Generosity. Please check out her many posts on the power and meaningfulness of saying, “Thank you.” Suffice it to say that this is a vital part of stewardship. A statement of acknowledgement of a gift is the minimal response, and a church should consider adding a personal note as well. As a seminary student, I learned a valuable lesson from the church I served. I noticed a thank you notecard for a $2 donation, and remarked that it probably cost that much to send a note card to which the finance chair reminded me that this church was thankful for every gift. A clergy friend of mine hosted dinners at the parsonage for those who pledged to his church, and yes, he knew who pledged what! There is no cost too high to show donors that they are appreciated.
As you consider your church’s stewardship efforts this year, below are listed several resources that could be modified for a virtual process. As with all generally published curriculum, it is important for the users to contextualize to their settings and adapt or adjust as necessary. While there is no one-size-fits-all stewardship program, having the well thought out processes and themes in published curriculum can certainly help support the leadership’s efforts in their fall campaign.
Some resources that could be adapted virtually:
In Defying Gravity, Tom Berlin takes a look at the difference between “want” and “need” and illustrates how possessions can create an unbearable weight on our lives. He shows us how too much stuff affects our ability to serve and thrive, and then he helps us explore what is required to sustain a vibrant life. This four-week stewardship campaign and small-group study features the book, a Leader Guide with multiple format options; a DVD of “Generosity Moments” with uplifting stories of how generosity has changed and shaped lives; a Program Flash Drive or download with campaign guide, handouts, tools, and videos for pastor mentoring and worship; and a Pastor Guide, A Generous Church.
The Generosity Challenge DVD is a curriculum put out by the Horizons Stewardship Group led by J. Cliff Christopher (author of Not Your Parents Offering Plate). This is a 4-week small group study with a weekly reading assignment and 7 days of challenges in the form of prayer, journal writing and self-assessment. Designed for those who are already active participants, the focus is on generosity as a life-giving challenge of our faith.
Enough by Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, is a tried and true 4-week stewardship program that includes sermon outlines, small group guides, and promotional material. Based on his book of the same name, Enough, wrestles with the Christian call for simplicity and generosity in a world where feeding the insatiable desire for more is perceived to bring joy.
Extravagant Generosity based on the book Five Fruitful Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase takes the theme of generosity in Christian discipleship. The curriculum seeks to connect our spirituality and finances together and develop an individual’s sense of “financial discipleship.” It is a 4-week program that includes all aspects of the stewardship campaign from sermon ideas, small group guides, DVD and marketing materials.
The New Consecration Sunday is a revision of Herb Miller’s tried and true Consecration Sunday stewardship program. The New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program approaches financing the ministries of your congregation by teaching stewardship from a spiritual perspective rather than a fundraising perspective. It focuses on the question, "What is God calling me to do?" rather than, "What does the church need in order to pay its bills?"