GENEROUS GESTURES

Slovak Zion SynodEvangelical Lutheran Church in America

Synod AssemblyJune 28, 2008

Rev. Scott Schantzenbach, ELCA Stewardship Specialist

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Stewardship Strengthens

• Stewardship strengthens your relationship with Jesus through the gifts God entrusted into your care.

• Stewardship strengthens your faith and church.

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship

• Three offertory prayers are included in ELW.

• Two prayers reference only bread and wine.

• Silence about possessions gives money more power than it deserves

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Consumer Oriented Culture

• It is complicated today to know the difference between a need and a want.

• Top 3 priorities, Family, friends, pets • What would you do with $600, no strings

attached?• We are in a bottomless pit of consumption• Bottled water• What is in your child’s bedroom bedroom

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Consider the Following• Young adults (25-34) are the fastest

growing age segment filing for bankruptcy.• The average credit card debt per U.S.

household is nearly $9,000. (The typical household pays more in credit card interest than they share with their church!

• Children today spend $100 per week. FIVE TIMES more money than their parents did at the same age (and that is adjusted for inflation.)

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The Endless Pursuit of “IT”

• Controls our behavior

• Shapes values

• Credit score and Zip Code

• Slaves to the “almighty dollar”

• If we do not get this under control it will ruin us!

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The Rich Fool Luke 12:16-20a NRSV

“Jesus told them a parable. ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry,” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you…”

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The Rich FoolLuke 12:16-20a (bold type is a Greek

translation)“Jesus told them a parable. ‘The land of a rich man

produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry,” But God said to him, ‘Foolish man, in this night THEY demand your soul from you…”

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Tip-Toe Through the TULIPs

• T Technology• U Utilities• L Land/Facilities• I Insurance• P Personnel

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Buckets Of Money

• How consumers play games

• Scarcity and Abundance

• “Borrow against” the endowment

• “Run a tab” with your pastor

• Pull the equity out of the church building.

• Pastor’s not managing money well

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Stewardship in Times of Economic Challenge

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”– Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

English novelist (1812 - 1870)

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100%

BelievingOurLordDelivers

STAY THE COURSE

TACTICAL STRIKE

CHANGED LIFESTYLE

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100%

BelievingOurLordDelivers

STAY THE COURSE

Leads to a dead end

TACTICAL STRIKE

Insufficient, unsustainable and reactionary

CHANGED MISSIONAL LIFESTYLE

Faithful systemic response

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Willing to be willing?• Average teen spends

$100/week• Seniors are 27% of

population, have 50% of discretionary money and control 70% of wealth in the U.S.

• The parable of the used Honda Civic

• The parable of the Rich Ruler, Luke 18:22

• “’Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.’ But when he heard this he became sad for he was very rich.

Bible StudyFeeding the

5,000Mark 6:34-44

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Mark 6:34-44

What are the issues and challenges which the crowd, disciples and Jesus face in this story?

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Bible Study

What would be the anticipated result of following the first inclination of the disciples?

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Feeding the 5,000

How does Jesus “redeem” this difficult situation?

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Mark 6:34-44 A Miracle of Sharing

What behaviors are modeled for us by those present the

day of the miracle?

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The Miracle of Bread

Are there similarities

between this story and

Jesus time in

the desert?

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Jesus Feeds the Multitude

How might a generous heart and an act of sharing strengthen our relationship with Jesus?

With our neighbor?

Lets Talk

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Stewardship Culture Change

SCARED BOLD

SHALLOW SIGNIFICANT

SLOW NIMBLE

SCARCITY ABUNDANCE

CONSUMER GIFT ORIENTED

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Green Dot Gestures

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Green Dot Gestures

• These 4 gestures expressed in the context of trusting the Spirit, calls us away from fear, greed, consumption and self absorption.

• Green Dot gestures provide a template for generosity, hospitality, forgiveness, sharing, and humility

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Taking

• In the world of consumption, “taking” can be misconstrued as an excuse to grab what you want.

• “Taking” is not a justification for personal gain at another’s expense.

• “Taking” in the parable is more akin to the act of receiving.

• “Taking: in the parable is rooted in an act of generosity.

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Blessing

• “Blessing is the peculiar act of naming God’s presence in our actions.

• The act of “blessing” recognizes God’s presence and favor on those who have gathered.

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Breaking

• “Breaking” is in part the simple act of dividing what we have to share with those around us. (Acts 2)

• “Breaking” signals an intention to share and prepares for distribution.

• “Breaking turns gifts into assets.

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Giving

• “Giving” begins with a simple act of sharing but when following the pattern of Christ, moves to the depth of self-giving.

• “Giving” is done in the context of memory and hope.

• When “Giving” is unrestricted it builds a relationship of interdependence and trust.

• “Giving” sustains the community.

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Green Dot Gestures Change the Stewardship Culture

Grab TAKE Receive Thankfully

Self Reliant

BLESS Humbly Embrace God’s Purpose

Retain BREAK Lovingly Sacrifice

Consumer GIVE First Fruits Percentage Gift

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Time For Action

1. This is God’s Gig2. Provide the Vision and

Mission Parachute Drop 3. Strengthen Partnerships

and Get Weapons Off the Street

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When You Get Home4. Behave your way into

a new way of thinking with a green dot “10~10~80 lifestyle”

Share 10%Save 10%

Spend 80%

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Green Dot Time Means…

5. * Receive thankfully * Humbly embrace God’s

purpose * Lovingly sacrifice * Share first fruits, asset

based, percentage gifts

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Mission Support Principles

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Principle 1

Mission Support Sharing

is a First-Fruits Gift

Congregations make their decisions about mission

sharing first, before other budgetary decisions are

made and, as a matter of priority, send gifts for

Synod/Churchwide Mission Support and

designated benevolences on a monthly basis.

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Principle 2

Mission Support Sharing is Proportional

Congregations share proportionately from

their resources as an act of worship, devotion and support of the mission tasks

of the Synod and ELCA Churchwide Units.

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Principle 3

10% is the Base Level of MissionSupport Sharing

Congregations strive to share a minimum of 10 percent of their income for Synod/Churchwide Mission Support, moving as they are able toward and beyond a tithe of unrestricted income for mission beyond the local parish.

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Principle 4

Congregations Tithe

Unrestricted Bequests

Congregations tithe (give 10 percent)

unrestricted bequests for mission beyond

the local parish, as a continuing example of

first fruits, proportionate, giving and sharing.

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Principle 5

Congregations TitheUnrestricted Endowment Income

Congregation offers at least a tithe (10percent) of all unrestricted income from theendowment and memorial funds to theSynod and/or other wider ministries of theELCA.

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It is Time to Remember the 4 Green Dot Gestures

Grab TAKE Receive Thankfully

Self Reliant

BLESS Humbly Embrace God’s Purpose

Retain BREAK Lovingly Sacrifice

Consumer GIVE First Fruits Percentage Gift

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At the Table

• When we gather at the table we practice these gestures.

• Break bread with those with whom we disagree, differences are set aside in light of common practice

• In the passing of the cup the primacy of our own needs is challenged.

• We create community grounded in language of receiving, thanksgiving, sharing, serving.

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Look at Your Watch

The green dot reminds you…

The time is fulfilled,the Kingdom has come near,

worship God in your stewardship!

The Six Point Postscript

Generational MotivationSpecial Gifts

Legacy StewardshipLooking After the FundsCommercial Ventures

Personal Finance

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Generational Motivations

• Uncle Sam Wants You• Join the People Who Joined the

Army• Be All That You Can Be• An Army of One• Army Strong

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Special One-Time Occasioned Gifts

• Opportunity to give more than you might give otherwise

• Provide education about specific ministries

• Help the congregation and people see a greater giving potential

• Inspire gifts from those who do not regularly give

• Allow for different ways of giving

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Legacy StewardshipThe Mission Endowment

• Develop an overall plan• Provide multiple opportunities to

share• Provide guidelines and policies• Use professionals and good

resources• Offer special programs

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Look After the Funds

• Provide detailed reporting to the congregation• Keep records of all financial transactions• Dual signatures on checks is standard• Separate financial secretary and treasurer roles• Two people count and credit giving each Sunday

before money is moved from the church.• Reports must be complete, honest, and audited• Report the giving status to each giving unit regularly• Understanding “restricted” funds

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Commercial Ventures

• Voluntary giving by church members remains the primary method of collecting resources for God’s mission

• Rental Income, (tax implications).• Rummage Sales, harvest festivals,

heritage celebrations (permits and fees).• No games of chance• Establish and use Investment screens• Living off former generations

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Stewardship Leaders• Find Contentment

• Put your house in order. You are a public figure, the congregation knows your financial business.– Be Generous. Practice First Fruits Proportional

Giving– Control Spending– Manage Debt– 10-10-80

• Good stewardship practice enables you to speak with power and integrity.

If you do not teach and model 10-10-80 Stewardship…the world will become the default teacher.

Where your money is, there your heart will be

also. (Mt 6:21)

Stewardship strengthens your relationship with Jesus through the

gifts God has entrusted into your care.