Beginning a Culture of Generosity (BCG) is a new and timely program to help guide congregations and provide the necessary tools to run a successful fall appeal. BCG will give your stewardship team confidence right now while everyone is working through a variety of very real financial stressors. Congregations will receive training online in 6 sessions and 1:1 guidance on an easily implemented program.
Registration is open through August with the first session scheduled for August 20, 2022: "Building Blocks for Generosity". Download the information and registration PDF. Register online here.
3E and the Grand Canyon Synod are offering a $500 scholarship for each congregation toward the program cost of $650. Each congregation is responsible for $150 of the program cost and their own fall appeal printing costs for bulletin inserts/brochures. (Adaptable professional design templates are included in the program fee.) It is also suggested that this program could qualify for Thrivent Action Team grants (a $300 value). Contact a Thrivent Financial member for details.
Beginning a Culture of Generosity
A STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FOR CONGREGATIONS SEEKING TO:
Stabilize and grow financial giving
Teach Biblical stewardship principles
Help members discover generosity
Begin building a foundation for a generous culture
PARTICIPATING CONGREGATIONS WILL RECEIVE:
An easily implemented program designed to stimulate generosity even through national economic uncertainty
Professionally designed, adaptable materials
Letter templates for the stewardship drive
Six virtual, live training events with a GSB Consultant to guide congregations through a sound stewardship appeal
Clear tactics for sharing information and inspiration about your congregation’s ministry
1:1 guidance from your GSB Consultant
At least 7 videos teaching the principles of this program
The ability to achieve a strong financial response even in uncertain times
2022 Schedule
8/20/2022: Building Blocks for Generosity
9/3/2022: An Effective, Inspiring Stewardship Appeal
9/24/2022: Sharing Stories of Generosity, Achieving a Strong Response (Part 1)
10/15/2022: Achieving a Strong Response (Part 2)
11/12/2022: Sharing Results and an Effective Follow-Up
12/3/2022: Finishing the Year Strong
For more information: Deb Elstad, Rocky Mountain Synod, 3E Associate Director, deb.elstad@gmail.com.
PROGRAM COST
Program cost: $650 per congregation
3E/Synod funding: minus $500 per congregation
Total cost to congregation: $150 due with registration
Congregations will be expected to pay their own fall appeal printing costs (bulletin inserts/brochures).
It is also suggested that this program could qualify for Thrivent Action Team grants (a $300 value). Contact a Thrivent Financial member for details.
“Changing the narrative from Stewardship to Generosity provided us with language and practical tools to run our annual appeal. Results far exceed any stewardship drive in recent history.”
“They challenged us in a way that we didn’t need to challenge each other…it was a model and a guide and I would recommend it to the tried-and-true stewardship people and also to newbies as a way to be coached through a process.”
ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP HELP
Across the country GSB works with congregations through Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS), a comprehensive stewardship program designed to fully create a culture of generosity. Congregations in their first year of SAS normally increase revenue by 10-15% and often much more than that. A far more personalized program with congregations who commit for a full year or more, SAS provides a deep dive into growing generosity in the church.
If you are interested in this program, new cohorts are being launched each year through 2022. Contact Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Miguel.Gomez-Acosta@elca.org for more information.
Our final series of Beginning a Culture of Generosity sessions begins 8/20/2022. If you have thought about joining this innovative stewardship education course in previous years, but it was not the right time, this is your final opportunity to grow the generosity in your community. Rates are subsidized by the synod, click here to register today!