Introducing Giving in Grace

1. Introducing Giving in Grace Stewardship resources for the local church www.givingingrace.org www.cocreatedesign.com/clientarea/diocesegig/admin

3. What is Giving in Grace? A biblically based and practical programme which teaches generosity as the heartbeat of Christian stewardship and challenges congregations to “excel in the grace of giving” as: • the primary means for securing and sustaining the ministry and mission of the local church • a formative aspect of personal discipleship • an act of worship and thanksgiving

4. Does differentiation matter?

5. Skewed giving

6. Key principle: leadership • 1 Chronicles 29:1-9 • David’s treasury gift • David’s personal gift • Leader gifts • The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.” (v9)

7. Key principle: leadership • Story tellers • Deuteronomy 26:1-11 • Model a generous response

8. Key principle: leadership • Architects of grace • Institutionalise stewardship • Giving Insight: 26.5% proportional giving (21% CW) • Most people don’t think theologically about their giving – • Extent to which giving is institutionalised in church practice

9. Key principle: theology • Not fundraising from other people but stewardship by God’s people • Not short term budget fix but helping build a culture of generosity in the church • Not just resourcing ministry and mission but an aspect of discipleship

10. a study of four denominations

11. Why the biblical approach? • Budget or needs driven appeals: • Lower levels of giving • Recreate yesterday • Success undermines culture change • Decouple money from bible; the offering becomes a whip round • Creates a theological vacuum and gags the church, save for meeting needs closed

12. Practical: a blended approach • Tools for understanding & planning church finances • Clear cash targets and giving guidance • Different motivations:? • To make our church secure for the future • To resource the ministry and mission of the church • As an expression of personal faith and obedience to the teaching of the bible

13. Key principle: differentiation • meeting people where they are: • personal faith • relationship with church • awareness of financial matters • understanding of bible and faith • economic situations • encouraging them to take a step along their journey of generosity • clarity of communication – don’t ask everyone for everything • Differentiate only on what we know:

14. Case studies • A growing rural village in Cheshire: £192 p/w; 20% increase in planned giving • Rural Lancs town: £400 pledged increase per week • Small, deprived new town estate in Lancashire: £59 p/w ; 50% giving increase • Winchester: addressed a £20,000 per year shortfall in income • Small town in Midlands: £500+ weekly increase

15. Giving in Grace: programme Prayer groups children socials visiting Preaching Exodus Matthew Luke 2 Corinthians Communication Letters brochure response forms Leadership: Planning group and PCC Case statement

16. The case statement • Foundational document of the programme • Structure for preparation • Tests leadership commitment • Makes the case for giving • mission and vision • disciplined interpreting finance • framework for planning group

17. Preaching as the keystone • Letters, socials appeal to needs and outline benefits but the sermon talks about God’s action in Jesus • Creates a culture in which other stewardship tasks can flourish • It cannot stand alone and it cannot bear the full weight of money expectations

18. Preaching • Three – four week preaching series • Choose the preaching track: • Matthew • 2 Corinthians • Luke • Exodus: all age and adult resources • Optional Harvest resources

19. Communication • Differentiated letters to the leaders, planned, plate (and friends?) • A single brochure setting out financial facts and ministry goals • Response forms to be returned • Follow up: • Thank you letters • Reminder letters • Follow up information requests

20. Small groups • Providing opportunities for people to talk together, ask questions, change the culture in which money is discussed in the church. • Small group resources: • Exodus • Seasons of Giving: Luke’s gospel • 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 • Links to other small group resources

21. Social events • Informal setting for presenting financial needs • Ideal for engaging associational members • Complements preaching

22. Children and young people • Cry Freedom!all age resources from Exodus • Seasons of Giving for children (Luke) • Ideas:comprehensive youth and children’s material

23. Visiting • All churches should personally visit to follow up a response that has been made • Churches should consider Parish Visiting as a means to delivering and discussing the literature to help and encourage church members to make their response. • It may be necessary to use the differentiated database to visit a section of the congregation

24. The priority of prayer • Liturgical materials for each sermon theme • Plug and play liturgies • Eucharist • Service of the word • Encourage leaders to pray • Help people to pray and prayerfully respond

28. If you build it he will come! • A flexible, modular programme which leaves space for local creativity • A range of practical tools: • Analyse and plan finances • Preach and teach generosity • Ask and thank church members • Like flat pack furniture: • Raw materials • Guidance • Needs preparation, perseverance and passion