Ministries

Stewardship


 

Click HERE to make your intent known

 
We give thanks for the many and various ways you reach out to serve your neighbor in generosity. Like your congregations, as the Southeastern Synod, we plan our spending plan based on the intents we get from congregations. We invite you to help us by sharing your congregation's mission support intent by clicking the link above...
 

"Flip the Switch" a Stewardship Workshop"

led by Pr. Jonathan Hemphill, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life

January 28, 2023


 


Building a Culture of Generosity

Learn more about exceptional stewardship practices for your congregation



 

Learn more about FEARLESS GENEROSITY in this 2021 Advent Reflection Series 

Because We Give...

Our Synod's ABUNDANCE Video:

In these unknown times, it is important to see and experience God's boundless generosity, give thanks for the gifts God gives us, and then reflect that generosity through our own lives. 

In these times of national crisis, when I am anxious, distracted, unsure, tired, or even fearful...
     How can I be thankful?
     How can I be generous?
     How can I a remain faithful steward not just in a time of crisis, but every day?
 

As we are reminded in 1 Peter 4:7-11 (The Message), even during these times, "take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!"

Oh, yes!

We're hopeful that the following resources will lift us all up as faithful stewards.

 

   Online Giving - Vanco and Tithe.ly  

  Short Stewardship Videos to inspire and educate - StewardCast!

     Financial Strength Through Uncertain Times, six session podcast sponsored by Novus Way with Mike Ward. Free!

     Generosity Devotionals during COVID-19  

     Will Covid-19 help us become better stewards? (Download)

     Options for Giving to Support Congregations now

     Generosity Matters Congregational Letter

     Why it's important to keep giving to the church now

     Key Ways to Keep Stewardship Strong During Uncertain Times, a short video by GSB's Mike Ward

     Keep donations flowing during the COVID-19 crisis

      Tithe.ly - With the tools you need to increase giving, manage your congregation,  and engage your members, actively participating in God’s work has never been  easier. Did you know Tithe.ly has discovered over the last three years:

72% of electronic giving is done via a mobile app
20% of electronic giving is done online and 7% via text
72% of contributions are made on days other than Sunday
50% of dollars contributed are by recurring gifts from 15% of households
85% higher giving is received by congregations that use the Tithe.ly subscription package. 
This information highlights both opportunities and challenges for congregation. 

              Vanco Give Plus - ELCA congregations will receive special discounted rates from Vanco on new or additional GivePlus eGiving services.

G2: Generosity and Gratitude Workshops

Due to COVID-19, the Synod's G2: Generosity and Gratitude Workshops have been canceled until further notice. Have no fear, though! Below are all the resources you need to begin conversations in your congregation around Generosity and Gratitude.

 From the Generosity Project:

           Giving and Getting Game - a game for all ages that involves either M&Ms or Trix, plus teaches us about stewardship. What a combo!

           Litany of Gratitude - a beautiful way to end a discussion about generosity or to be used any time we feel truly grateful. 

LifeLine Fund        logo of

The Southeastern Synod is incredibly pleased to announce that a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation, matched by funds from our synod, will provide up to $80K to assist with the educational debt of rostered ministers, plus train and support for congregations who need stewardship assistance.

Monthly lectionary based stewardship resource kits 

This is a great all-in-one resource for your congregation’s monthly stewardship communication and education needs. You’ll find short “Stewardship Snippets” for every Sunday’s bulletin and articles for your monthly newsletter or website – all ready to cut and paste!  Plus, this webpage is an outstanding link to other ELCA and ecumenical stewardship resources.

Generosity Project

Looking for a stewardship program that is FUN? Works in all sizes of congregations? Encourages intergenerational communication? Is free? The Generosity Project is an intergenerational, household-focused approach to stewardship. Its goals are to connect generations, create centers for the faith practice of generosity, and grow in God’s grace generation to generation. Downloads are here.

Book or video studies 

ELCA Resources

A plethora of stewardship resources provided by the ELCA. Check out especially:

  • StewardCast 2020, How Mission Support Adds Vitality to Congregational Life. Great 10 minute videos by Pr. Rob James, the connection between stewardship and mission support, Faith Simonieg on telling the story, and Dana Dutcher on the impact of Global Mission 
  • Where Does Our Offering Go poster, suitable for hanging on your congregation's bulletin board. 
  • Guidance on how to do Narrative Budgets 
  • Stewardnet, a quarterly newsletter full of new ideas, resources, and inspiration. Subscribe here.
  • Planning and financial tools for congregational stewardship programs, like giving charts, and personal finance planning 
  • Stewards of God's Love, a resource full of themed activities, Bible verses, best practices and new ideas to ignite year-round stewardship in congregations
  • Sermon starters
  • Surveys for spiritual gifts
  • ....and many many more!
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