V. SAMPLE COMMUNICATIONS

1. Ministry-oriented budgets
   1. Story-telling budget – a guide to illustrating your ministries that are transforming lives and the cost of each ministry
   2. Optional insert: Grow “One” For God chart 
   3. Optional insert: In Proportion to What? (For those who own a farm or business)
      
2. Quarterly giving reports – a communication overview

Regular and timely reports build accountability between church members and leadership. This gives opportunity to thank members for their gift and provides a statement of the individual’s gifts received, to encourage members to be consistent in their giving to the church.

3. Church newsletter ideas 

Churches can continue to build a stewardship mindset among their members by providing articles and topics of interest in their church communications. The church newsletter (or bulletin) provides a great place to “speak” to your members on this important topic. 

Barnabas Foundation provides a free online stewardship newsletter to churches entitled Stewardship Spotlight. This is a camera-ready piece to be inserted into your own church newsletter.

Brief stewardship thoughts can be utilized in church bulletins on a regular basis.

VI. SAMPLE GIVING CARDS

There are many different ways to receive members’ estimate of giving for the year. This may just include a financial estimate of giving or may also include giving of time and talent, as well. Because children and young people are also growing in their stewardship journey, it is highly encouraged to also include children and youth. Read what one pastor’s perspective is on “What to do with your Pledge Card”.

1. Estimate of giving card-adult
2. Estimate of giving card-youth
3. Estimate of giving cards – (pre-printed with suggested % per ministry)
4. Time-talent-treasure giving card – overview and sample
5. Child stewardship card