Your 2024 Stewardship Calendar

Did you hear about the dog who ate $4,000 in cash? Bad dog! But the good news is that the owners were able to recoup about $3,550 of it.

I’ll let your imagination run wild as you consider how that was accomplished. Hint: it involved patience, gloves, and warm water.
 
It’s a cautionary tale. Do not, do not put your offering plates anywhere near the sanctuary emotional support animal. If you do, you too may have to resort to “cleaning cash.”
 
As you mull that over, it’s also time to plan your Stewardship Calendar for 2024.
 
Lucky you! I have developed one that you are free to adapt to your congregation and its needs.
 
You can find it here in a PDF format. If you’d like to get it in Word, please drop me a note.
 
There’s a lot to do if you follow this calendar. That’s the truth. But let me suggest one more thing that should be high on your priority list:
 
Learn about ways to give that do not involve cash.
 
Yesterday, I attended an excellent webinar on this very topic featuring Dr. Russell James, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University. He spoke on Why Cash is Not King in Fundraising.
 
Here are two posts that begin to address this subject:
Are You Leaving Money on the Table? Year-End Gifts that Aren’t Cash.
Why You Need to Know about Donor Advised Funds.
 
Getting up-to-speed on this might feel way out of your wheelhouse (I know that’s how I felt). But for you to fund critical ministries – knowing about these things is a must.
 
It’s a new year, it’s a new you (right?!). Pick up one or two new skills. Remain intellectually curious. Follow the Stewardship Calendar and you can face the new stewardship year with confidence.
 
Just be careful where you put all that loose cash.

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. She loves finding meaningful videos – like this one where a Chihuahua sings “All by Myself” with his owner. You’re welcome.
 
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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