1.Most
people in the congregation have a better sense of
stewardship and good business than we give them credit
for, and so will respond to a well reasoned and
thoroughly explained program.
2.The
goal of the appeal must be one that is shared by most
members of the congregation. It must fall within the
range of 1/3 to 3 times the annual budget. Less than that
amount does not capture people's imagination and more
seem impossible. The goal must be specific, attainable,
measurable, visible, unifying, satisfying, have a
terminal date, and provide an opportunity for
celebration. It is best if the appeal is associated with
a specific day or anniversary.
3. Over
half the population now holds substantial wealth and most
of the gifts to such an appeal come from savings rather
than current income. The Federal Reserve reports that
personal savings for 1983 were over $200 billion ----
more that double the 1977 figure. Our society and
congregations have a higher percentage of older members
and they have the highest rise in real income and
accumulated wealth in the last thirty years. Between 1981
and 1983 the amount of money Americans deposited in
retirement accounts tripled, from $25.7 billion in 1981
to $80 billion in 1983. These are the people most likely
to be at worship on Sunday morning, these are the people
with the greatest degree of denominational and
congregational loyalty, and these are the people most
likely to support this kind of program.
Redeemer
Lutheran Church
TWENTIETH
ANNIVERSARY MIRACLE SUNDAY [
Top ]
Theme:
"A
Miracle is Coming" "Don't Let The Miracle Pass You
By"
Purpose:
To expand
the opportunity for mission at redeemer through debt
retirement.
1.
Redeemer Lutheran Church has been in debt for
virtually its entire twenty year life. This has been
necessary in order to build facilities to carry out
our local mission. We have been paying on our current
debt for a decade. But, we are now at the point where
our indebtedness and debt service payments in our
annual budget are hindering our congregational mission
locally, nationally, and internationally. Debt can
easily become an excuse for not fully carrying out our
mission. This is not a problem unique to
Redeemer.
2.
The problem of our indebtedness emerged a few years
ago when action was taken to restructure our debt.
That restructuring sped up our debt service payments
to save interest expenses and retire the debt sooner.
Unfortunately the result was to place such a heavy
burden on our annual budget that monies have not been
available to carry out our mission.
3.
Completely retiring our debt this year would save
$74,450.00 in interest payments over the life of our
current debt retirement schedule. In addition it would
free up approximately $28,000.00 per year in our
annual budget. Over the next six years that would be a
grand total of over $242,750.00. In other words almost
a QUARTER OF A MILLION dollars for the mission of
Jesus Christ and His Church. These dollars could feed
the hungry, build new churches, work for peace and
justice, expand our ministry to youth, and make
possible opportunities for Christian education we have
never dreamed of before.
4. It
is sometimes felt that it is necessary to keep a
congregation in debt to maintain levels of
stewardship. But this is an overly cynical view of our
members who have always responded to to challenge and
mission in the past. There comes a time to set aside
worldly ways of manipulating people and trust the Holy
Spirit to do his work in their hearts. An undue debt
ultimately discourages faithful stewardship. This is
not say that our goal should be to keep Redeemer
always out of debt. Undoubtedly there will be times in
the future when the congregation will and should incur
debt. The point is that proper reason for incurring
debt is to carry out the mission of the Church not as
a way of forcing its members into responsible
stewardship.
5. By
clearing our congregational debt at this time we can
free our energies and resources to focus on our
congregational mission for the next few years.
Hopefully this will be a period of enthusiasm, growth,
and expansion of our program and services. (Potential
members are frequently discouraged by a congregation's
debt. "Their only interest in me is to help pay off
their debt.") At a point three to five years from now
the congregation will be in a stronger position to
decide its future direction. The improvements in the
fellowship hall will ease the immediate pressure for
additional facilities.
The
program:
A dinner and
series of letters to members explaining the program and
need. Six to eight weeks
are necessary
to provide information and build enthusiasm.
April
22
Letter:
From the president of the congregation and the chair
of the stewardship explaining the concept, describing
the need, and inviting members to a congregational
dinner, May 5 or 9
May
1
Letter:
From a prominent member of the congregation, as a
reminder of the dinner and as further explanation of
the concept.
May 5
and May 9
Congregation
Dinner: An inspirational and informal meeting where
the needs and concept are thoroughly explained.
May 13
and may 20
Letter:
From a prominent member of the congregation with
further description of the needs and endorsement of
the concept.
May
24
Letter:
From congregational president and chair of stewardship
explaining the need for advanced major gifts.
May 27 -
June 5
Calls
on potential advance major contributors.
(Approximately 20% of the contributors give 80% of the
funds raised.)
June 1
and 6
Letter:
From a prominent member of the congregation assuring
success with everyone's cooperation and preliminary
report of advanced gifts.
June
18
Letter:
From the pastor with celebration thanks and
preliminary report.
June
23
Miracle
Sunday (gifts received in cash or equivalent)
June 17
- June 28
Calls
on members who did not have a chance to contribute on
Miracle Sunday.
July
1
Letter:
From congregational president and chair of stewardship
with thanks and final report.
Follow
up Suggestions [
Top ]
1. Do
not repeat this event annually -
A.
It should not be repeated until at least half the
congregation were not members during the last
event.
2. If
you fall short of your goal -
A.
Don't close the books too soon There will be late
comers.
B.
Celebrate no matter what - you're better off than you
were last week.
3. This
program works best with an older, well established
congregation served by a pastor who has been there at
least seven years.
4. Be
sure to thank your members and God.
Miracle
Sunday Issues [
Top ]
1. How
do we maintain momentum?
2. Can
youth interest / participation be stimulated?
A.
U.S.A. for Africa and discussion at PEP or other
forum?
B.
Other
3. When
should we present slide show again?
4. When
should we repeat our entire program?
5. Can
Worship & Music locate appropriate basket /
receptacle for 6/23 offerings?
6. When
will we advise congregation of giving format /
approach?
7. Who,
what, when on Temple talk?
8.
Bulletin inserts answering questions?
9.
Community viewing of presentation?
10.
Miracle Sunday T-shirts?
11. How
do we make know our availability to groups or others?
Necessary / desirable?
12.
Rummage sale ideas? Other means of congregational
involvement?
13.
Advanced gifts schedule?
A.
Special dinner/
B.
Individual meetings?
"Miracle
Sunday" Gift Ideas [
Top ]
Cash
*
Checking /Savings Accounts
*Certificates of Deposit
* Money Market Funds
*Tax Refunds
*Borrow the Money - Credit Card, Bank, Insurance
Policy, etc.
* Thrift Plans or Lump Sum Raises
Securities
*Stocks
- Those that have greatly appreciated have special
advantages
*Bonds - Government or Corporate
*Mutual Fund Shares
*Member Building Notes
Real
Property
*
Land
* House
* Car
* Other Tangible Property
Other
Ideas
*
Give up a habit and contribute its cost. (Smoking,
Fudge Sundaes, etc.)
* Hold a rummage Sale - use of Proceeds
* Memorials
Life
insurance
*
Cash Value
* Cash Dividends
* Use it to replace a gift of money or property which
you might give which you planned on leaving to you
heirs.
Miracle
Sunday Issues [
Top ]
1.
Change date?
2. How
do we handle May 5 dinner?
A.
Schedule more than one?
B.
Use reservations?
C.
Form - Potluck - cater (externally or
Internally)
D.
Agenda
E.
Handouts
F.
Speakers
3. How
do we avoid "GUILT" of those desiring but unable to fully
participate.
4.
Compile listing of funding alternatives for individuals
to consider the best means for their
participation.
5. Who
are "Prominent" members who will sign letters?
6. Who
will compile / edit letters to congregation?
7. Who
are the people to contact regarding advanced gifts?
Amount expected?
A.
How do we contact?
B.
When?
C.
Should we establish a target?
8. How
can we educate members on their giving?
A.
Match Pledge
B.
20/80 example
C.
Amount / member to reach goal
9. Do we
need an estimate on dividers for Fellowship
Hall?
10. We
need to identify "specific" use of funds in budget that
are freed up.
A.
50 / 50 Local / External mission
B.
Specific causes
C.
Use of monies from this year's budget - approximately
$13,000 - $14,000
11.
Should we establish account for Advanced Gifts and
receive as soon as possible. Interest earnings could add
value. Other means to aid in goal?
12. How
will gifts be received?
A.
Advance
B.
Miracle Sunday
13. How
do we handle costs of campaign? Are some budget areas
available?
14. How
can we inspire members?
More
Miracle Sunday Issues [ Top
]
1.
Agenda for Dinner Meetings?
2.
Speakers for Dinner Meetings?
3.
Handouts / Inserts?
A.
Dinners
B.
Bulletin Inserts?
C.
Parish Visitor Inserts
D.
Who will prepare?
4.
Revise letter schedule?
5.
Should we include Temple talks?
A.
Frequency
B.
content
C.
Who will deliver?
6.
Advanced Gifts issues:
A.
Who do we contact?
B.
How/when do we contact?
C.
Who will contact?
D. ow
do we advise on "expected " gift?
E.
Should we have target amount?
F.
Church Council role?
7. What
can we do to aid members in giving?
A.
Match pledge.
B.
20/80 example - what group do you want to be
in?
C.
Amount / member or family
D. %
of income - 3%, 5%, etc.
8.
Should we involve youth? How/
A.
Banks for contributions?
B.
Presentation to PEP students?
C.
Other?
9. How
do we help council members Council Committees assist
us?
A.
Attend their meetings
B.
Meet with chair people regularly
10. How
to get help on slide presentation
11.
Should we schedule presentations or meetings with church
groups such as ALCW, Golden Agers, others?
12.
Mission and outreach is willing to create banners /
posters and buttons for us.
A.
What do we want from them?
B.
When?
13. How
will gifts be received?
A.
Advance
B.
Miracle Sunday - use alter?
14. Do
we communicate that Church Council considers this a major
1985 goal?