Stewardship Focus Day 2011
Q: Our younger adults are not strong givers. How might we help to foster stronger giving among those under 40? A: Quit communicating with them the same way you communicate with their parents and grandparents. Q: Many pastors do not see it as their responsibility to raise money. They pass that role to the Finance Committee or ignore it altogether. Do you agree with that perspective? A: It is very much the pastor’s responsibility to raise money. The pastor is the CEO of his/her church. If the pastor is not willing to work to secure funding for the organization they lead, then who should? The good pastor, however, goes way beyond raising money. The good pastor realizes that helping develop generosity in persons is a key part of their growth in Christ. Q: What is one thing you have found that helps people and churches gain a healthier understanding of stewardship? A: When the pastor makes it a high priority and has high expectations of the congregation. They see, hear, and read all the time that giving is a key component of the Christian life. The pastor must help persons to understand the Biblical positions about material things. Too many pastors talk only of the need to pay the bills of the church.
Dr. Christopher, a church stewardship expert, works nationally as a church growth and finance consultant. He authored "Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate" and the follow-up book "Whose Offering Plate Is It?" Christopher’s leadership and expertise in the area of church giving and finance will make Stewardship Focus Day well worth your investment and time. |
In this column, Clif Christopher, featured speaker for the Foundation’s Stewardship Focus Day on Aug. 26, answers some of the questions clergy and church leaders ask about church giving and finances. Dr. Christopher will go in-depth on these tough questions and more at the one-day seminar.