Getting a New Pastor? 3 Tips to Help Them (and You!) Inspire Generosity
Dear Gentle Reader (that’s my nod to the always fun Bridgerton):
It’s going to be hotter than Hades this week (am I allowed to say “Hades” in a publication such as this? Oh, such tender ears!). I am already fanning myself in anticipation that I will soon be glowing (aka: “sweating like a dog”).
In addition to the 4th of July being tomorrow, this coming Sunday for some of the United Methodist persuasion marks the first time they will either
a. be in a new pulpit or
b. hearing their new clergy person for the first time.
What a joyous day it will be!
To preserve my energy so that I can be as attentive as possible on the Lord’s Day, I shall be sharing a previous post that makes mention of how to “get set for stewardship success.”
While we celebrate democracy, wonder about its future, and rejoice in new starts, read on, Dear Reader, read on:
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A New Appointment? 6 Tips to Inspire Generosity was all about the new pastor coming to your church and what she or he could do to set the stage for generous giving. Now it’s your turn. You and your new clergyperson are in it together – you’re a team.
How can you set your pastor up for generosity success? Glad you asked.
1. Be proactive: Give your pastor permission to talk about money, possessions, generosity, and giving. Too many clergy have been told by that one person, “I don’t like sermons about money.” Thus, that one person unceremoniously shuts down all sermons on the topic. Let your clergyperson know from the get-go that you are supportive of his or her efforts to talk about money and generosity. Want to know more? Read these past posts: The Church is Only Interested in Money and Why You Must Preach about Money.
2. Let your clergyperson have access to giving information. This one always makes folks (both clergy and laity) bristle. However, the 2016 UMC Book of Discipline – which I know you have memorized – says, “…the pastor, in cooperation with the financial secretary, shall have access to and responsibility for professional stewardship of congregational giving records.” Read my three-part series Should You Know Who Gives What? starting here. Or another one, The Power of Secrecy. At the very least, have the conversation.
3. Create a “Generosity Network” (aka “Stewardship Committee”). Yesterday, the Center for Stewardship Leaders [no longer in existence] posted an article by Laura Wilhelm about a new look at the old Stewardship Committee. “Two goals [of the Generosity Network] were established: (1) Build a higher expectation church—in order for people to put a lot into the church, the church needs to expect a lot from the congregation and (2) provide a narrative overlay to the usual line-item budget.” Brilliant.
Everyone wants their pastor to succeed. Everyone wants their congregation to be thriving and vibrant. To make this a reality requires generosity of spirit, time, and yes, financial resources.
You’re getting a new pastor! That’s worthy of celebration. As a team you and your pastor can make a fabulous difference in a world that needs Good News. Enjoy.
And while you’re at it, Gentle Reader, stay cool and take time to have some frothy fun by watching a little Bridgerton.
Adapted from a June 26, 2019 post.
Photo credit MabelAmber @ Pixabay
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Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Here’s a four-star movie you should all run out and see: Thelma. The best summary? It’s the geriatric version of Mission Impossible. So very fun.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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