Chick Lane, director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary shared some helpful ideas for pastors and lay leaders about leading stewardship in yesterday’s teleconference.
Lane strongly suggested that we talk about money at church when we’re not asking for it. He said this is Scriptural: “Jesus talks about money all the time, but he seldom asks for any.” He suggests that we can get better at asking people to think about how it is with their faith and their finances.
This is not to say we shouldn’t ask for money. Lane says we need to stress that generosity is a characteristic of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. “Generosity is a spiritual discipline.” We can focus on the need of the giver to give, not just the need of the church to receive.
In addition, Lane says, we need to make the case. We need to articulate what is it that our congregation feels God is calling us to do, and what about that is worthy of our support. We must state the vision in a compelling way.
He said, “Generosity begets generosity.” A congregation that invites people to give beyond its walls not only helps support worthy efforts, it also helps grow givers to its own ministry.
The recording of the teleconference is available. E-mail me at Margaret@margaretmarcuson.com, and I’ll send you the link.