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Introducing Giving in Grace

Stewardship resources for the local church

www.givingingrace.org

www.cocreatedesign.com/clientarea/diocesegig/admin

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What is Giving in Grace?

A biblically based and practical programme which teaches generosity as the heartbeat of Christian stewardship and challenges congregations to “excel in the grace of giving” as:– the primary means for securing and sustaining

the ministry and mission of the local church

– a formative aspect of personal discipleship

– an act of worship and thanksgiving

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Does differentiation matter?

Tax efficient giving

0

10

20

30

40

Givers 5 36 9 18 17 3 6 1 7

Under £1

£1 - £1.99

£2 - £2.99

£3 - £4.99

£5 - £7.99

£8 - £9.99

£10 - £14.9

£15 - £19.9

£20 +

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Skewed giving

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Key principle: leadership

1 Chronicles 29:1-9– David’s treasury gift– David’s personal gift– Leader gifts

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.” (v9)

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Key principle: leadership

Story tellers

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Model a generous response

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Key principle: leadership

Architects of grace Institutionalise stewardship

– Giving Insight: 26.5% proportional giving (21% CW)

– Most people don’t think theologically about their giving –

– Extent to which giving is institutionalised in church practice

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Key principle: theology

Not fundraising from other people but stewardship by God’s people

Not short term budget fix but helping build a culture of generosity in the church

Not just resourcing ministry and mission but an aspect of discipleship

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a study of four denominations

Reason RC Presbyterian AOG MennoniteTo pay the church bills

53 44 0 5

Membership responsibility

93 89 44 60

Giving to God or love of God

0 6 39 15

Obedience to bible or God

13 11 100 45

Out of gratitude 27 6 11 50To meet needs 20 28 22 50All I have is from God

7 6 28 40

God will bless/ meet my needs

13 0 67 10

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Why the biblical approach?

Budget or needs driven appeals:– Lower levels of giving– Recreate yesterday– Success undermines

culture change– Decouple money from

bible; the offering becomes a whip round

– Creates a theological vacuum and gags the church, save for meeting needs

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closed

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Practical: a blended approach

Tools for understanding & planning church finances

Clear cash targets and giving guidance

Different motivations:?– To make our church secure

for the future– To resource the ministry and

mission of the church– As an expression of personal

faith and obedience to the teaching of the bible

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Key principle: differentiation

meeting people where they are:– personal faith– relationship with church– awareness of financial matters– understanding of bible and faith– economic situations

encouraging them to take a step along their journey of generosity

clarity of communication – don’t ask everyone for everything

Differentiate only on what we know:

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Case studies

A growing rural village in Cheshire: £192 p/w; 20% increase in planned giving

Rural Lancs town: £400 pledged increase per week

Small, deprived new town estate in Lancashire: £59 p/w ; 50% giving increase

Winchester: addressed a £20,000 per year shortfall in income

Small town in Midlands: £500+ weekly increase

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Giving in Grace: programme

Leadership:Planning group and PCC

Case statement

PreachingExodus

MatthewLuke

2 Corinthians

CommunicationLetters

brochure response

forms

visitinggroups socialschildren

Prayer

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The case statement

• Foundational document of the programme

• Structure for preparation• Tests leadership

commitment• Makes the case for giving

– mission and vision– disciplined interpreting finance – framework for planning group

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Preaching as the keystone

Letters, socials appeal to needs and outline benefits but the sermon talks about God’s action in Jesus

Creates a culture in which other stewardship tasks can flourish

It cannot stand alone and it cannot bear the full weight of money expectations

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Preaching

• Three – four week preaching series

• Choose the preaching track:– Matthew– 2 Corinthians– Luke– Exodus: all age and

adult resources• Optional Harvest

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Communication

• Differentiated letters to the leaders, planned, plate (and friends?)

• A single brochure setting out financial facts and ministry goals

• Response forms to be returned • Follow up:

• Thank you letters• Reminder letters• Follow up information requests

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Small groups

• Providing opportunities for people to talk together, ask questions, change the culture in which money is discussed in the church.

• Small group resources: – Exodus– Seasons of Giving: Luke’s gospel – 2 Corinthians 8 and 9– Links to other small group

resources

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Social events

Informal setting for presenting financial needs

Ideal for engaging associational members

Complements preaching

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Children and young people

Cry Freedom!all age resources from Exodus

Seasons of Giving for children (Luke)

Ideas:comprehensive youth and children’s material

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Visiting

• All churches should personally visit to follow up a response that has been made

• Churches should consider Parish Visiting as a means to delivering and discussing the literature to help and encourage church members to make their response.

• It may be necessary to use the differentiated database to visit a section of the congregation

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The priority of prayer

Liturgical materials for each sermon theme

Plug and play liturgies– Eucharist– Service of the word

Encourage leaders to pray Help people to pray and

prayerfully respond

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If you build it he will come!

A flexible, modular programme which leaves space for local creativity

A range of practical tools:– Analyse and plan finances– Preach and teach generosity– Ask and thank church

members Like flat pack furniture:

– Raw materials – Guidance– Needs preparation,

perseverance and passion

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