Web-based Resources

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Visit the web sites recommended below.  At these sites you will find valuable resources to strengthen your stewardship ministry.  These sites provide: Newsletters, books, sermons, short stories, quotes, videos, programmatic resources, and more!

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA  

                    www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Discipleship/Stewardship.aspx

This is the primary site to garner information and recourses from the Churchwide expression of the ELCA

ECUMENICAL STEWARDSHIP CENTER

            www.stewardshipresources.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx

Resources, including the "Giving" magazine are available at this site.  Annual continuing education events for pastors and stewardship leaders are also posted at this location.

STEWARDSHIP IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

            www.luthersem.edu/stewardship/

Luther Seminary operates this web site.  The array of materials available at this site will expand your resources, stimulate your imagination and are "congregation friendly".

STEWARDSHIP OF LIFE INSTITUTE

            http://www.stewardshipoflife.org/

SOLI is dedicated to improving stewardship in congregations.  The materials provided at this site are easy to use and access.

GLOBAL RICH LIST

            http://www.globalrichlist.com/

Just for fun, type in your annual income and determine who richly blessed you are in comparison to the rest of the world.  Your wealth will surprise you!

STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES AND LINKS

Access to resources and the establishment of stewardship networks are critical to creating a culture of gratitude and generosity.  Use these connectors to strengthen the life of stewards in your congregation.

1. Web-based stewardship materials

2. New Jersey Synod consulting services. Contact our Synod Stewardship Specialist for customized support of your ministry.

• Stewardship leader training
• Financial reviews, budgets and accountability
• Stewardship for Mission Developers
• Planning retreats and events
• Preaching, teaching, and Mission Interpretation

3. Fall Mission Support Conversations

4. Spring Stewardship Academy

5. Conference on Congregational Ministry

6. Stewardship Archives

STEWARDSHIP

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Involvement in social outreach correlates with financial generosity. Churches with strong giving patterns are likely to offer multiple opportunities for advocacy, service, and witness. Live generously as a community of faith that is connected locally and globally. 

Pastors as Stewardship Leader

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Good stewardship begins with the pastor.  It is critical that the pastor understand the value of modeling good stewardship behaviors.  Read the testimony of Rev. Bob Zimmer who served our ELCA congregation in Sarasota FL http://www.stewardshipoflife.org/Resources/LLM_Archives/LLM-Zimmer.htm

The Pastor's Tithe

Should the Pastor know what people give?  Because generous sharing is one of our core faith practices, it is important for the pastor to be able to monitor the patterns of generous behavior by congregation participants.  Read more about this at by clicking on this link.

First Call Theological Education.  During the first three years of ministry, rostered leaders are required to attend a week long First Call Theological Education retreat.  Stewardship classes are offered every year at this event.  Recent surveys indicate that the areas of stewardship and budget preparation are areas where newly rostered leaders are particularly weak.  Plan to include a stewardship workshop in your First Call event this year.  http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=c5b48a11-6bc5-43c6-b1db-6defd3326b87

Continuing Education Because stewardship is an important faith practice among the followers of Jesus, it is critical that rostered leaders hone their stewardship proficiencies.  Plan to dedicate your continuing education time and money to learn more about stewardship at least once every 5 years.