Planning

Planning

[] Implementing the Enough Stewardship Campaign in Your Church

[] Enough Stewardship Campaign Activity Schedule

[] The Purpose of Multi-level Communication

Implementing the Enough Stewardship Campaign in Your Church

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The Enough stewardship campaign is designed to meet the needs of churches of every size and description. The key to a successful campaign is tailoring the campaign and campaign materials to meet the specific needs of your congregation.

A fall campaign is recommended so that stewardship commitments are made prior to the start of the New Year. The campaign itself is structured to last approximately eight weeks, with planning and follow-through taking place before and after those eight weeks. However, this time frame can be abbreviated or extended as desired. For example, you could shorten the schedule from eight to six weeks by eliminating the introductory small-group study session and having only one Consecration Sunday. Or you might extend it by adding a two-week prayer emphasis prior to the campaign kickoff. Again, feel free to adapt the program to fit your schedule and situation.

Likewise, communication can be as elaborate or as simple as desired. Simply personalize the letters and other communication tools included in this resource and accompanying DVD (note all underlined prompts within parentheses), and reproduce them on your own church letterhead or stationery. Or, if resources and time permit, use the art provided to create your own custom-made campaign stationery and other creative communications, including posters and worship banners. You may prefer a "print only" campaign, or you may want to utilize email and your church website, as well.

Even the process of planning and implementing the campaign can be tailored to meet your particular needs and capabilities. For example, you might choose for the pastor(s) and administrative staff to oversee planning and implementation, or you might involve various teams in these responsibilities, such as a stewardship team, worship team, prayer team, small-group/study team, communication team, art/design team, and video team (for creating your own promotional videos and personal testimonials). Again, the key is to make it your own. You know best what will meet the needs of your congregation.

Enough Stewardship Campaign Activity Schedule

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August

Planning & Budget Review/Approval

Order Copies of Enough and Enough DVD with Leader Guide for Small Groups

Order Gift Items (optional)

September

Weeks 1– 2

Church Newsletter Article: Enough Stewardship Campaign Introduction

Upload Introductory Materials to Website (Enough Stewardship Campaign Introduction, Overview, and Schedule; Details Regarding Small-Group Study Opportunities)

Week 3

Distribute Enough Books and Enough DVDs with Leader Guide to Small-Group Leaders

Bulletin Article #1: Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity (run for 3 consecutive Sundays)

Week 4

Sunday

Bulletin Article #1: Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity (repeat)

Enough Small-Group Study Introductory Session: "Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis"; Group Leaders Distribute Enough Books to Participants (Additional groups may meet Monday-Friday)

Monday–Friday

Mailing #1: Enough Stewardship Campaign Invitation

October

Week 1

Sunday

Bulletin Article #1: Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity (repeat)

Sermon #1: "When Dreams Become Nightmares"

Enough Small-Group Study Session #1: "When Dreams Become Nightmares" (Additional groups may meet Monday-Friday)

Monday–Friday

Upload Sermon #1 to Website

Email #1 from Pastor

Mailing #2: Six Key Financial Principles Letter (on Friday)

Week 2

Sunday

Bulletin Article #2: Six Key Financial Principles

Bulletin Insert: My Life and Financial Goals Worksheet

Bulletin Insert: Basic Budget Worksheet

Sermon #2: "Wisdom and Finance"

Distribute Six Key Financial Principles During/After Worship

Display Financial Planning Books/Resources in Designated Area of Church (for Loan and/or Sale)

Enough Small-Group Study Session #2: "Wisdom and Finance" (Additional groups may meet Monday-Friday)

Monday–Friday

Upload Sermon #2, Six Key Financial Principles, My Life and Financial

Goals Worksheet, and Basic Budget Worksheet to Website

Email #2 from Pastor

Week 3

Sunday

Bulletin Article #3: Contentment Is Key

Sermon #3: "Cultivating Contentment"

Distribute Key Tags During/After Worship [if using]

Enough Small Group Study Session #3: "Cultivating Contentment" (Additional groups may meet Monday–Friday)

Monday–Friday

Upload Sermon #3 to Website

Email #3 from Pastor

Week 4

Sunday

Bulletin Article #4: Personal Goals and Commitment

Bulletin Insert: Personal Goals and Commitment

Sermon #4: "Defined by Generosity"

Enough Small-Group Study Session #4: "Defined by Generosity" (Additional groups may meet Monday–Friday)

Monday–Friday

Upload Sermon #4, Personal Goals and Commitment, Giving Guide, and Instructions for Online Pledging to Website

Email #4 from Pastor

Mailing #3: Letters (Estimate of Giving for Active/Lead Donors, Estimate of Giving for Supporters/Regular Attendees, Estimate of Giving for New Members, Estimate of Giving for Attenders/Non-givers), Giving Guide, Estimate of Giving/Commitment Card, and Envelope (use first class postage; must arrive before next Sunday)

November

Week 1

Sunday — Consecration Sunday 1

Bulletin Article #5: Consecration Sunday

Make Additional Commitment Cards Available

Gift Item Distribution (Optional)

Monday–Friday

Email #5 from Pastor

Week 2

Sunday — Consecration Sunday 2

Bulletin Article #5: Consecration Sunday (repeat)

Make Additional Commitment Cards Available

Monday–Friday

Email #6 from Pastor

Mailing #4: Follow-up Non-Responder Letter

Week 3

Sunday —

Bulletin Article #6: Thank You

Monday–Friday

Follow-up "Caring Contact Calls" Begin (Staff and Laity)

Week 4

Sunday — Celebration Sunday – Results Celebration and Consecration of Next Year's Ministry Commitments

Bulletin Insert Suggestion: Print your ministry plans for the coming year on a bulletin insert.

December — (Advent/Christmas)

January

Week 1

Mailing #5: Pledge Confirmation/Thank-You Letter, Bookmark (Responding Members), Valued Member Survey (Non-responding Members)

The Purpose of Multi-Level Communication

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In his book Creating a Climate for Giving, Donald Joiner says there are benefits of using a multi-level approach to communicate to different people (Discipleship Resources, 2002). Wayne Garrett and Dan Dick, both authors on this topic, also support this concept. They acknowledge that different people hear the same information differently. Communicating differently to different people within the congregation according to their commitment levels results in:

• spiritual growth

• discipleship growth

• financial growth

• congregational growth

Let's consider some of the ways these areas of growth connect and overlap:

• In congregations with high levels of financial contributions, programs that annually promote estimates of giving result in increased giving. Eugene Grimm states that those who make annual estimates of giving usually give at least 30 percent more than those who do not (Generous People [Abingdon Press, 1992]; p. 49).

• In congregations that practice annual commitment programs, people give much more than the amount indicated on their commitment cards when they are informed and inspired about ministry and mission needs.

• In congregations where members are taught at different levels of their spiritual journey to grow in their discipleship and stewardship commitment, there is greater spiritual maturity and financial health.

• In congregations where members are connected to small groups, classes, mission projects, and other volunteering programs, there is increased giving of time and finances.

• In congregations where people are informed and excited about what the church is doing year-round, there is increased generosity and joy.

• In congregations that celebrate weekly in worship what God is doing, people give not only to budgets but also to specific ministry and missions opportunities that change lives for Christ.

• In congregations that have the expectation of tithing and proportional giving, there are giving goals that can demonstrate growth in discipleship.

• In congregations that support year-round, biblically based generosity, stewardship, and financial management studies, growth in giving results because of deeper discipleship.

Clearly, there is a relationship between specific, planned, multi-level methods of communicating within the congregation and growth in every area of congregational life.

Suggested Communication Target Levels

When communicating to church members regarding stewardship commitments, it is suggested to target five identifiable levels or groups:

Level 1: Less-than-actives/Lapsed Members

These members are those who have no record of attendance or giving during the past three months. They need multiple letters/contacts. Always use a return envelope if any kind of response is requested. It is suggested that they be encouraged to come back to worship but not asked to make a commitment for the coming year.

Level 2: Attenders/Non-givers

These members have attended worship in the last year, but there is no record of their giving. Because they attend but usually do not respond, they need constant repetition of message. The focus in communications to this group should be on the importance of giving to God, giving as an act of worship, steps on getting started, and sensitivity to possible financial issues. (They should receive the Giving Guide.)

Level 3: New Members

New members are those who have joined the church in the last 12 months and are developing their giving patterns. The focus in communications to this group should be on how they can honor God in their giving and make a difference. (They should receive the Giving Guide.)

Level 4: Supporters/Regular Attendees

These members are regular attendees who worship and serve and are involved at an active level of personal and financial commitment. The focus in communications to this group should challenging them to step up toward the tithe or increasing their percentage of giving if they are not yet experiencing their goals in joyful giving. (They should receive the Giving Guide.)

Level 5: Actives/Lead Donors

Actives are the leaders who are most generous in giving their time, testimony, tithes, and special offerings as a Christian lifestyle. They are the best source for increased giving. The focus in communications to this group should be on personal appreciation, celebration of results, and the joy of generosity. They should receive a personal, handwritten thank-you note. (They should receive the Giving Guide.)

All persons in every level need to hear what a difference their giving makes and how their giving is an act of faithful worship to God.

Communication

Communication

[] Newsletter Article: Enough Stewardship Campaign Introduction

[] Emails from the Pastor (1–6)

[] Bulletin Articles (1–6)

[] Bulletin Inserts

[] Campaign Mailings

• Mailing #1 Enough Campaign Invitation

• Mailing #2 Six Key Financial Principles Letter

• Mailing #3 Letters

– Estimate of Giving Letter for Actives/Lead Donors

– Estimate of Giving Letter for Supporters/Regular Attendees

– Estimate of Giving Letter for New Members

– Estimate of Giving Letter for Attenders/Non-givers

– Giving Guide

– Estimate of Giving/Commitment Card

[] Follow-up Mailings and Activities

• Mailing #4 Follow-up Non-responder Letter

• Mailing #5 Responding Members

– Pledge Confirmation/Thank-You Letter

– Bookmark

• Non-responding Members

– Valued Member Survey

• Caring Contact Calls Script

(The text for all articles, emails, inserts, and letters can be found on the accompanying DVD–Rom.)

Newsletter Article:

Enough Stewardship Campaign Introduction

Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us in America today. We have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world's largest insurance company, and many bankruptcies and mergers. Every day seems to bring another piece of economic uncertainty.

A recent survey found that over three in four Americans are stressed about the economy and their personal finances. Half were worried about providing for their family's basic needs. Over half of respondents reported feeling angry and irritable, and reported laying awake at night worried about this. The report concludes that, "The declining state of the nation's economy is taking a physical and emotional toll on people nationwide."

Join us in worship the next (number) weeks for a sermon series entitled Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. Our nation is experiencing what many have described as the "American Nightmare." Increasing consumer debt, declines in savings, lower income growth, and a volatile stock market are all a part of our economic insecurity. We have lived in a society that tells us "you deserve it now," whether or not we can afford it or really even need it.

All of us have struggled with these issues at one time or another. They are important issues that we cannot ignore. This is why, over the next (number) weeks, we will be having a churchwide study and worship emphasis called Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. During this time we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management through corporate worship and small group study (visit [website address] for details about small-group study opportunities). We'll hear expert advice and stories about what others have learned by working through financial challenges. Each week we will provide you with some practical tools you can use to assess your financial situation and develop a financial plan with a biblical foundation.

At the conclusion of the emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of our offerings to God through our church in the coming year. We will consecrate these commitments in the worship service on two consecutive Sundays (see the schedule that follows).

I hope you will join us in the coming weeks as we look at how we can manage our financial resources and truly experience simplicity, generosity, and joy.

Schedule of Events:

(Date) Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis Small-Group Study Begins
(Date) When Dreams Become Nightmares
(Date) Wisdom and Finance
(Date) Cultivating Contentment
(Date) Defined by Generosity Small-Group Study Ends
(Date) Consecration Sunday 1
(Date) Consecration Sunday 2
(Date) Celebration Sunday – Results Celebration and
Consecration of Next Year's Ministry Commitments

Email from Pastor #1

Our churchwide emphasis Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity is in full swing! Last Sunday, our topic was "When Dreams Become Nightmares." We saw how the American Dream contrasts with God's vision, and how God's vision brings joy that the American Dream never can. If you were unable to be with us, you can find the sermon message on our website, (website address).

This Sunday, our topic will be "Wisdom and Finance." We will look closely at the biblical principles of money management and discover how they apply to our daily lives. I invite you to join us for this extremely informative and practical message. You also will receive several tools that will help you in your own financial planning. See you on Sunday!

Email from Pastor #2

We are halfway through our churchwide emphasis Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. Last Sunday, our topic was "Wisdom and Finance." We looked closely at the biblical principles of money management and learned how they apply to our daily lives. We also reviewed some common pitfalls and cultural traps and discovered how we can avoid them. If you were unable to be with us, you can find the sermon message and two financial planning worksheets on our website, (website address). And be sure to ask for your Six Key Financial Principles mirror cling, which was distributed to the congregation.