Stewardship

1
Stewardship

• The Indooroopilly Experience
• Rod Rogers

2
Overview

• Indooroopilly has had stewardship programs in
  2003, 2005 and 2008.
• Each has produced significant increases in income
  and in congregational strength.

3
The background

• Over the years 1995 2000 Indooroopilly closely
  examined its structures and developed a new
  organisation.
• The new organization was implemented badly major
  areas were left unattended.
• By 2003 a once healthy reserve fund was exhausted
  on routine matters and the council was
  considering deep budget cuts.

4
Confrontation

• The decision was taken to confront our situation.
• A budget was adopted that required a 30 increase
  in giving
• A Stewardship program was launched
• Emphasis is on money, but not exclusively so

5
Theology

• Stewardship is about our relationship to God and
  the whole creation
• Stewardship is our whole of life response to
  Gods great generosity
• Stewardship is of those gifts and resources
  entrusted to us is a witness to Gods sustaining
  love.

6
Making it work

• Stewardship is about, our resources, God and the
  world.
• Two major personal resources arise
• Time
• Money

7
About Money

• Money is an important part of our lives, not an
  added extra.
• Money is liquid life it can put our resources
  where we could not be doing what we could not do.
• Our money is can be an extension of our
  willingness to serve.

8
About Time

• We treasure our time more than any other
  generation
• We squander our time more than any other
  generation
• We have more time-saving and time-wasting devices
  than any other generation

9
We want People to give of their time and money

• We need to know why they should give their time
  and money to their church and not another
  organisation
• We need to know what our programs are, and why we
  have adopted them
• OUR PROGRAMS NEED TO BE GOOD

10
Stewardship is not a Magic Bullet

• A Stewardship program is hard work it takes
  time and energy
• A Stewardship program requires careful thinking
  and planning.
• A Stewardship programs requires conviction

11
Why is your congregation there?

• If the answer is because in 1928 someone built a
  church on the spot, give up now.
• If the answer is because people are used to it
  being there, drop out while there is still time.
• Why are you there? Why bother mate?

12
Your program will take months to prepare and
months to present.

• Review what your function is.
• Be prepared to say and do new things
• Think out a mission plan with real details and
  budgeting
• Tell people what is planned for the money and
  time you ask its bad stewardship to give you
  money that not be well used

13
Organise, organise, organise

• Leave nothing to chance
• Schedule every mailing, every meeting, every
  activity
• Insist that no corners are cut
• Have up-to-date mailing lists and use them
• Post is cheap

14
Organise, organise organise

• Leave nothing to chance
• Schedule every mailing, every meeting, every
  activity
• Insist that no corners are cut
• Have up-to-date mailing lists and use them
• Post is cheap

15
Make it look like you care

• If your literature is poorly presented no one
  will be impressed. The idea that God knows you
  meant well but couldnt be bothered doesnt cut
  ice.
• Adopt a theme - Venturing with God Catching a
  New Wave All Gods People . and use it.

16
Use time to your advantage

• A Stewardship Program is about changing attitudes
• Changing attitudes takes time
• Slide information and ideas in under the radar
• Use weekly handouts as well as big mailings
  these can be adapted to meet current discussions
• Use sermons and notice sheets
• Use barbecues and meetings
• Push Stewardship over at least two months!

17
Isnt now a bad time to be asking for money?

• Every time is a good time to ask for money.
• Gods generosity doesnt stop with an economic
  tsunami. So Ive lost 500,000 in the last year.
  I still experience Gods generosity.
• God is not so small limited as to be fair God is
  generous, and so must be our response.

18
Why?

• You are building the Body of Christ
• You are responding to Gods amazing generosity