Year-Round Congregational Stewardship: Six Best Practices

To be effective within congregations, the message of stewardship needs year-round attention – not just an end-of-the-year reminder “to give to the lagging budget.”

The following best practices are a guide to help congregational leaders assess the stewardship initiatives they currently have in place, as well as areas that may not be reflected now in the congregation’s stewardship plan.

By reviewing these practices, pastors and lay leaders can better identify two to three areas they may want to focus special attention on next year as they develop their congregational stewardship plan.

By attending to these practices over the next three to five years, the desired result would be a holistic approach to stewardship. The goal of this comprehensive approach is to bring out the best in your congregation as well as provide the opportunity for everyone within your church to gratefully receive God’s many blessings as well as joyfully give to God’s ongoing work in the world.