Stewardship and Giving: How to Increase the Financial Support of Your Congregation

“Insanity can best be described as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Kevin Martin’s creative booklet begins with this statement that leads us into a different way of thinking about the annual pledge drive. Stewardship and Giving is not a resource for delving into the theology of stewardship. It is, however, an effective resource for understanding the response of individuals in your congregation in the past, grouping similar sets of responses, and structuring the appropriate approach to each group.

The process avoids the fundamental mistake made by the majority of congregations: treating all potential donors the same. We are taught not to begin by asking, “What is the standard?” but rather, “What do the present giving patterns of our members tell us about their commitment to the Church and their reasons for giving?” Then we follow up by asking, “What can leaders in the church do to increase this commitment?”

Use this valuable resource – with its detailed instructions, examples of timelines, letters, pledge cards and more – to map your plan for nurturing greater levels of commitment.