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Extravagant Generosity. Leading Congregations from one reality to another From their story to God’s Story. Extravagant Generosity. Money will buy you a pretty good dog … But, it won’t buy you the wag of its tail … Unknown EG is not just about money.
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Extravagant Generosity Leading Congregations from one reality to another From their story to God’s Story
Extravagant Generosity Money will buy you a pretty good dog … But, it won’t buy you the wag of its tail … Unknown EG is not just about money
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Our giving mirrors our God Our extravagant giving mirrors our extravagantly generous God Who Is Our God?
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a A Tithe: Is it an example of extravagant generosity?
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Consider Jesus’ comparison of what the widow gave with what the “man of means” gave Mark 12: 41-44
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Extravagant Generosity not about what or how much one gives -- BUT -- of the faith in which the gift is given. Consider John 6:68a …
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Simon Peter answered: Lord, to whom can we go? Investment of faith The response of one who has invested their complete and total self (identity) Is an unalterable commitment
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Total commitment implies the setting aside of all other choices Extravagant Generosity Scary Stuff!
Transformation Process Actions Understand the Obstacles Future Reality Vision Current Reality Resources
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Team Purpose: Impart the Vision of Biblical Stewardship Team’s Approach Provide intellectual support for teaching and preaching Identify and create a list of Subject Matter Experts to resource local congregations Collect and compile personal stories of EG
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Some Resources http://www.gbod.org/stewardship/article.asp?id=11849 http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/ http://cornerstonefund.org/learn/church-finance http://www.vaumc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=888 http://www.umportal.org/print_article.asp?id=5790 Others to be added to web
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Our task is to be so deeply and intimately connected with our Christ that the world will experience the resurrected Christ -- the newness God intends -- whenever it touches our corporate life Gordon Crosby Church of the Savior Washington DC
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Our Church budgets (and our home budgets) are perfect examples of our corporate life That is: Life together
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a How do our budgets exemplify the resurrected Christ? Do our line-items speak clearly of the God we worship?
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a NARRATIVE BUDGET: Points the direction we are going It is Flesh on the skeleton It Reveals our true selves It Shows where we are faithful It Indicates where we are in need of transformation
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift is from above… James 1:17a Look at example narrative budget
A Narrative Budget is: The sacred story of the ministry of the parish One of the most important ways to effect on-going stewardship education An essential element in educating congregations about how money is used to show the face of Christ
Just as individuals have sacred stories of God’s providential care for them… …a narrative budget is your congregation’s sacred story
Line item budgets are an accounting tool Narrative budgets are an educational and visioning tool Narrative budgets provide direction We need both but we must be intentional in how we use them
Line Item Budgets are limited They only show where money is allocated / spent Do not show real cost of volunteer time Do not inspire Narrative Budgets Do show how money answers the Gospel imperatives Shows real ministry having a measurable impact.
Each parish has several key components to their ministry… Your church’s ministry might be segmented into these five components: Radical Hospitality Passionate Worship Intentional Faith Development Risk-Taking Service and Mission Extravagant Generosity
Where to begin? Start by asking staff to do a “time-diary” Allocate time among the five areas of ministry. Allow ministry areas to direct how expenditures in the line item budget are allocated
NarrationTell the story of individual pie slices of the parish ministry Stories of the individual pie pieces undergird the macro story of your budget
Tell the stories of real people touched by your ministry For each category of ministry shares impact the ministry of the parish is having on peoples’ lives inspires greater ownership and risk taking
Check-in and Respond Briefly share with your neighbor a new learning See handouts Using the frame of the five practices for sharing Let’s share our budgets Second, share how you will take this home with you