Comprehensive Stewardship Calendar

January Preaching Series We recommend preaching 2-6 stewardship sermons in the beginning of the year because people are thinking about making a fresh start and are more open to lifestyle changes. Also, with the year-end budget needs behind you, the common perception that the purpose of stewardship sermons is for fundraising is removed. Recommended Sermons:           Treasure Principle           Don't Waste Your Life           More sermon ideas Devotions We recommend providing daily devotions with a stewardship theme both to your members for their personal use at home, as well as to your leaders for use in their meetings. This not only reinforces the stewardship mindset taught on Sunday, but also helps people grow more passionate and committed about their walk with Christ during the week. Recommended Devotions:           30 Daily Stewardship Devotions           40-Day Spiritual Journey           Devotions for Leaders Send a Giving & Ministry Update We recommend sending a quarterly "Giving and Ministry" update to every member of your church, highlighting what they have given year-to-date, what the church has received year-to-date, and how that compares with the church's ministry needs for the year. People will feel encouraged and inspired when you thank them and share how God is using their gifts to reach people for Christ.            Sample Quarterly Giving Recap letter.doc February Small Groups/Classes for All Ages We recommend following up the sermon series with stewardship-related classes to train people in practical ways, showing them the biblical principles and how to follow them in day to day living.  Recommended Small Groups/Classes:           Managing Finances God’s Way (adults)           Financial Peace University (adults)           Discovering God’s Way of Handling Money (High School)           Three Key Questions (Middle School)           Stu Bear (children)           More Options March Guest Stewardship Speaker  We recommend inviting a guest speaker to preach at one of your worship services. A representative from a ministry your church supports would be an excellent choice, allowing people's hearts and minds to become more in tune with how God is blessing their generosity.  April Send a Giving & Ministry update  We recommend sending a quarterly "Giving and Ministry" update to every member of your church, highlighting what they have given year-to-date, what the church has received year-to-date, and how that compares with the church's ministry needs for the year. People will feel encouraged and inspired when you thank them and share how God is using their gifts to reach people for Christ.            Sample Quarterly Giving Recap letter.doc May Use ideas from “Any Month” list  (see below) June Use ideas from “Any Month” list  (see below) July Send a Giving & Ministry update  We recommend sending a quarterly "Giving and Ministry" update to every member of your church, highlighting what they have given year-to-date, what the church has received year-to-date, and how that compares with the church's ministry needs for the year. People will feel encouraged and inspired when you thank them and share how God is using their gifts to reach people for Christ.            Sample Quarterly Giving Recap letter.doc Planning for Education Classes  Now is a great time to begin planning for the small groups and classes in February. Use this time to review Barnabas Foundation's recommended resources to determine which is best for your church. (see February) August Use ideas from “Any Month” list  (see below) September Mission Emphasis The fall is a great time for a Missions Emphasis to highlight outreach opportunities and missions involvement because people are focused and ready to roll up their sleeves and go to work.  Click here for sample Missions Emphasis ideas October Send a Giving & Ministry update  We recommend sending a quarterly "Giving and Ministry" update to every member of your church, highlighting what they have given year-to-date, what the church has received year-to-date, and how that compares with the church's ministry needs for the year. People will feel encouraged and inspired when you thank them and share how God is using their gifts to reach people for Christ.            Sample Quarterly Giving Recap letter.doc November Promote planned and estate gift options  90% of the wealth in America is in assets - such as stocks, property, business, estates, etc. But most churches aren't set up to receive or promote asset gifts. Barnabas Foundation can help your church reach its local ministry, Christian education, and foreign missions goals with the Legacy Foundation program.  Legacy Foundation program.      Barnabas Foundation Planned and Estate Giving options December Year-End Ministry Summary We recommend compiling and distributing a year-end summary of ministry highlights and results to celebrate the good things God has done through your church.  Any Month Blend stewardship themes into other sermons during the year In addition to preaching "stewardship" sermons in January, it is very beneficial to weave in stewardship themes (i.e. ownership, contentment, generosity, service, etc.) throughout the year into other messages. This reinforces the principle year-round that God owns it all, and that we are managers of all of the gifts God has given us.            Click here for ideas from other CRC pastor's sermons           Click here for ideas from the Barnabas Foundation's                stewardship newsletter Make offerings more meaningful Some churches report that offering time feels more like a duty than a delight. A little creativity and pre-planning can help restore the joy in your offering times.  Recommended Offering Ideas:           Minute of Ministry           Noisy Offering           More Options Highlight stewardship articles, tips, & resources A great way to keep stewardship themes in front of your church year-round is to insert verses, quotes, articles, recommended resources, and tips in your bulletin, church newsletter, and other publications. Recommended Resource:       The latest Barnabas Foundation stewardship newsletter Encourage people to update or start a will 70% of Americans die without a will. Consequently, significant resources that could legitimately benefit families and ministries are instead diverted to estate taxes.            Click here to contact a Barnabas Foundation               representative about how to help your members               with estate planning Pre-Married & Young Couples 80% of marriage problems are money-related. Help young couples get off to a great start and avoid financial heartache with practical, proven advice.  Recommended Resource:           Three Simple Rules (available as a FREE download or                     purchase for $5 per book. Quantity discounts available).            The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples Annual Commitment Pledge Cards If your church is considering using an annual pledge system, we recommend that 2 months prior to the fiscal year end, you ask people to make an annual pledge as an invitation to prayerfully consider their overall kingdom investments, and grow in their trust in God as they commit their resources to Him.            Click here for a sample pledge card Additional Suggestions Since God owns it all, there are many ways to honor God with the time, talent, and treasure He has entrusted to us. Other suggestions that may help your church develop a stewardship mindset include:           Comprehensive Stewardship Program                Barnabas Foundation’s Good Steward Ministry helps churches                identify the gifts (time, talent, treasure) of church members                and develop and implement a strategy for use of these gifts.            Stewardship of Time           Stewardship of Talents           Individual Financial Counseling