Stewardship

Stewardship Resources

(Re)-Introducing the Synod Stewardship Team!
The Synod Stewardship Team has re-formed! This team, led by the Rev. Peter Beeson, Associate to the Bishop for Generosity, is composed of both rostered and lay leaders who are passionate about the ministry of stewardship. The team meets about every six weeks, with time off for Christmas and New Year’s and summer.

In addition to Rev. Beeson, current team members are the Rev. Carol Baumgartner, Mr. Henry Elling, the Rev. Peter Heide, and the Rev. Holly Slater.

Below are a few stewardship resources that may be helpful to you.  If you have questions or want a personalized Stewardship & Generosity conversation for your congregation contact Rev. Peter Beeson, Associate to the Bishop for Generosity, in the synod office. (peterb@scsw-elca.org)

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ELCA members recently gave $1.7 billion in unrestricted offerings to support God’s mission and ministry. Each year, ELCA congregations pledge to send a portion of the offerings they receive to fund ELCA ministries in their synods and beyond. In the ELCA, we call these funds Mission Support. Where does your offering go? This video shares how your Mission Support impacts life-changing work in our communities and around the world. Learn more about Mission Support at https://www.livinglutheran.org/sofia/.

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Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19 – 21

 “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” Luke 12:33

“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Psalm 4:7

“Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” Mal. 3:10  (This does not promise financial gains. Lutherans don’t preach & teach the prosperity gospel but rather the joy, hope, and peace that comes from trusting in God and sharing God’s generosity.)

“And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ACTS 20:32–35

“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;” Psalm 37:21

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” PROVERBS 22:9

“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” MATTHEW 10:42

“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”  LUKE 21:1–4

“14For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” 1 Kings 17:14

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  • Stewards of God’s Love: http://www.elca.org/growingstewards
  • https://jamescompany.com/services/stewardship-programs/
  • Generosity Exercise from Pastor Lisa Nelson
    Pastor Lisa Nelson is a life coach, who coaches clergy and other church leaders, as well as congregational councils and staff. Check out her website: thecoachingpath.org or email her at 55lisanelson@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more.
  • Start a Gratitude Wall in Your Church Building
    Use a bulletin board with paper and pencils handy and invite the congregation to post what they’re grateful for. During worship, talk about how gratitude is an important part of being in a good relationship with God, each other, and the world, and gratitude has been scientifically proven to improve our health and well being.
  • Start a new Thanksgiving tradition at Home by Playing “Gratitude Pictionary”
    Instead of drawing typical Pictionary things, draw something you’re grateful for. All you need is paper and pens. And remember, no letters, words, or numbers, set a time limit, and once a word is guessed, it’s the other team’s turn.
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(Archived) Giving Magazine, published by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center, www.stewardshipresources.org

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