Generous People: How to Encourage Vital Stewardship is published by Abingdon Press. You may contact them directly for a copy of the book. The ISBN number is 0-687-14045-5. Cost is currently $14.95

Generous People covers ten principles used by congregations with effective stewardship ministries. Topics include:

1. Foundations for Outward Bound Giving. This chapter covers some of the biblical and theological elements for stewardship.

2. Two Vital Elements. The first vital element: An Effective Stewardship Campaign. Second to it: An effective year-round approach to stewardship education and ministry interpretation.

3. The Tour Guide’s Role. Effective pastoral and lay leadership are core to an effective stewardship ministry. The pastor can make or break stewardship.

4. To Pledge or Not to Pledge: That is the Question. A look at the positive role of pledging, estimate of giving, faith promise (whatever your church calls it). It’s essential to effective stewardship ministry.

5. Build from Blueprints. Let’s not try to reinvent the wheel. There are many fine professional organizations today to help the church with its planning.

6. The Need of the Giver to Give over against the need of the church for funds. This is not to say people don’t have a right to know what’s going on in their church, or that ministry interpretation and stewardship education are not important. It is to say that during your annual stewardship drive, focus on the spiritual dimension … the need of the giver to give.

7. Variety Leads to Vitality. Stewardship programs work best when they are changed every two or three years. Yes, I know of exceptions, and so do you … but the die is cast. Those who change their programs experience greater longer lasting benefits.

8. The More the Merrier. Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but its tragic when too few leaders participate in stewardship. It leads to burn out.

9. Will I have to make visits? Most people do not like to visit other people solely for the purpose of asking for money. That’s not to suggest that visits are bad, but a relational visit is probably much more productive than a stewardship visit.

10. Ask the Vital Question. Asking is key. How we ask is important. That we ask is critical. But put it in a Christian context. “How much is our Lord Jesus calling you to grow in your giving during the coming year?” Pray about it, then respond as God directs.

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