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Stewardship
Stewardship is using, sharing, conserving, and offering what God has given us in ways that are pleasing to God, honoring God from whom all blessings flow, and consistent with loving our neighbor.
There are a variety of Stewardship Resources available through the ELCA:
Make It Simple
A congregational stewardship resource to assist you in stewardship education and annual response. Visit the Make It Simple resource webpage.
Money Leadership for Thriving Congregations
Through a series of paired and small group discussions, participants will establish a scriptural foundation for financial management and address issues relevant to your setting. This workshop series can be used as an overnight retreat, or in six sessions. For Pastors and sections provided for faithful stewards-lay leaders. Available by contacting 800-63803522, Ext. 2767 $22.00
Stewardship Now
Use this on-line newsletter to inspire your congregation's leadership and stewardship committee. Share your favorite sections as part of your meeting's opening devotions. Reprint portions of it in your congregation's newsletter (including credit line). Incorporate portions into your sermons.
Sermon Starters
The following lectionary notes are offered as Sermon Starters for pastors and other preachers/teachers who base their weekly proclamation on the progression of the lectionary through the church year.
Stories to Tell and Gifts to share
Easy to use editable annual response program for all age groups in congregations, or use as is.
Watch Video or Order CD
Cheerful Givers
We’ve been told this since our days in Sunday school: We want to give and we need to give gladly. A spirit of generosity isn’t enough to guide us in our decisions. What else does Scripture have to say on the subject? Three kinds of financial giving are mentioned in the Bible: offerings, tithes and alms. Understanding what they mean helps us achieve a thoughtful, balanced plan for our cheerful giving.
Download a PDF
Mission Support
Mission Support is a form of stewardship. It is sharing and offering what God has given us in ways that support and make it possible for the church to live out the mission God has entrusted it with; through our congregation, our synod, and the churchwide expression of our church, locally and globally.
2012 Mission Support Consulation: Where Your Offering Goes - Download PDF
2012 Intent Form
Mission Partners
Mission Partners are ELCA congregations linked together in dynamic relationships to empower and expand the mission outreach of both partners.
Mission Partners utilize the Accompaniment Model, walking together in solidarity, practicing interdependence and mutuality. Gifts, resources, and experiences are shared with mutual advice and admonition to deepen and expand all efforts within God’s mission.
Through supportive relationships—Prayer, Presence, and Presents—these congregations share in the excitement of proclaiming God’s love. They understand that God has blessed them to be blessings for others.
Linkages developed between rural, suburban, and urban congregations, which encompass a variety of cultures and languages, enrich and invigorate the faithful. Linkages between existing, healthy congregations and new or renewing congregations provide encouragement and resources—for both—for growing in being God’s people in their locations.
Mission Partners:
- Share—and lift up in prayer—the joys and concerns of the other,
- Offer spiritual and emotional encouragement,
- Actively share the time and skills of their members for specific projects,
- Provide tangible items for ministry such as Sunday school materials, office equipment, or musical instruments, and
- Give financial gifts that may help acquire musicians, office and worship space, signage, brochures, program materials, or land.
If you belong to a congregation who is a mission partner with another congregation, thank you very much for your continuing support. Please continue to pray for your partner congregation.
If you would be interested in the possibility of becoming a new or renewing congregation’s mission partner, please contact Pastor Roger at (517) 321-5066 for more information.
Mission Partner Agreement (PDF)
Mission Interpreter Ministry
Congregations benefit from mission interpreter ministry in the following ways:
- “Mission minded” congregations are growing in discipleship and spirit.
- By looking beyond the congregation, members see how they are personally connected to mission and ministry around the world.
- The mission interpreter ministry helps congregations by increasing the understanding of the work we do together beyond the congregation.
- When people understand their identity as partners in a wider church, many become strong advocates supporting the mission and ministry we share beyond the congregation—through the synod and then on through the churchwide organization.
Mission Interpreters are people telling stories in their congregation of how God is making a difference through the ministries of our church. This may take the form of Temple Talks, Mission Moments, or providing articles for the newsletter.
Mission Interpreters are provided with resources and training by our Synod and our Mission Interpreter Coordinator, Ken Greble. Ken can be reached at kgreble@aim.com.
Learn more with the Mission Interpreters Brochure
To Whom Shall We Go
Thank you for your faithful support of To Whom Shall We Go. Your gifts support new and renewing congregations, seminarians, and the Center for Mission & Ministry. Because of you and others who give generously, we have received numerous cash contributions for new and renewing congregations and seminarians.
In addition to these cash contributions, several significant planned gifts have been secured to fund new and renewing missions and to provide financial assistance for those attending seminary. These gifts will continue to support our congregations and future leaders for many years to come.
Thank you for supporting new and renewing congregations and future leaders. We invite you to give a gift online with your credit or debit card or via electronic funds transfer.
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