Practical Stewardship Tip from...

Ken Davis Director, Stewardship Ministries.

"Fifty-eight percent of the Churches of God in the United States have an attendance of less than 100 people. Many times a pastor of a smaller church feels "there is not enough." Not enough energy, not enough time, not enough workers, not enough resources, not enough money. Effective stewardship practices are perhaps even more crucial for the pastor of the smaller church because the very survival of that church may turn upon those practices. I think that is why I am, particularly, concerned about ministering to the pastors of those churches.

Where does a pastor of a smaller church start? First of all, this is the advice I give all churches whatever their size:

1. Highly effective pastors believe, learn, actively teach and model stewardship. Pastors must have a strategy. Pastors should consider a stewardship ministry team.

2. Highly effective pastors communicate a strong vision for the church.

3. Highly effective churches make stewardship a part of the prayer emphasis of the church.

4. Highly effective pastors establish fiscal management and integrity in all aspects of finances. Highly effective pastors, also, build trust through how they manage finances.

5. Highly effective pastors learn that saying "thank you" is important.

Here is additional advice I give pastors of the smaller church:

1. A highly effective pastor of a small church will identify the spiritual leader(s) of the church and seek their participation in stewardship discipleship. Stewardship Ministries will assist pastors in identifying stewardship study materials so pastors can study Biblical stewardship with laypeople.

2. A highly effective pastor moves the small church stewardship mentality from one of "meeting needs" to one of disciplined giving.

3. The highly effective pastor of a small church will implement an annual ministries celebration service that will celebrate the accomplishments of the ministries and will allow people to see how their giving has made a difference in the Kingdom.

4. The highly effective pastor will have frequent business meetings and will keep the people off the church informed about the programs of the church and the finances of the church.

5. The highly effective pastor will find a larger church to mentor the smaller church, team with the smaller church, and assist the smaller church with crucial resources.

If any pastor reads this and would like to discuss this advice, call Ken Davis at 423-478-7179."
January 30, 2007

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