Tithing Task Force Report

Tithing Task Force Report


Presented to the Leadership TableOctober 8, 2011


Members:◦Rev. Billy Craddock◦Rev. Ed Fisher◦Rev. Rodney Frieden◦Jonathan Purvis◦Manet Shuttle◦Bruce Whitehead◦Judi Purvis, chairperson


Format of Report:

BackgroundPoints of ConversationRecommendationsAppendicesBiography of MembersResources


Conversations Pages 3 & 4

◦Giving is a spiritual issue.

◦Paradigm shift is crucial.Christian culture should produce the question

“How do we make disciples by providing the 5 practices?”

Not – “How do we pay the electric bill?”◦Having conversation around the topic of generosity should be easy.


Conversations, continuedPages 3 & 4

◦Can an aging membership create opportunities?

◦How can a large lay-membership conference make a difference in the area of generosity?


Recommendations fell into three categories:

EducationCommunicationAccountibility/Responsibility


Some of the following recommendations are already in place in one form or another. The attempt of the TTF in being perhaps redundant is to encourage the work already being done in the area of promoting Extravagant Generosity and to encourage more work to be done.


Education


Recommendation #1 Page 5

It is recommended that education and inspirational opportunities about the spiritual nature of money need to be provided with intentionality, accessibility and frequency to clergy and laity.

AppendixPage 10


Recommendation #2Page 5

It is recommended that educational opportunities regarding methodology and means for increasing tithing be provided with intentionality, accessibility, and frequency to clergy and laity.

Appendix Page 16


Appendix for Recommendation #2

◦Best Practices◦Rejuvenate◦Speaker’s Bureau◦Seminary courses (Wesleyan Connexion)



It is recommended that the variety of opportunities that clergy and laity have to give generously to the church be promoted with intentionality.

AppendixPage 18


Although education and focus need to be given to all six areas, the TTF believes that special emphasis needs to be given to Annual giving, Major Project giving, and Enduring giving.

The following two recommendations reflect that thinking.



It is recommended that clergy and laity be given information and the tools for providing a narrative budget which allocates income and expenses by the five practices. Additionally, providing specific benchmarks for analyzing church budgets would be beneficial to clergy and laity alike.

AppendixPage 19


Appendix for Recommendation #4Contains examples of how to develop a Narrative

Budget - from beginning to end

Narrative BudgetLine item budgetLine item to Five PracticesEndnotes for resources and references



It is recommended that clergy and laity be given information and the tools for providing church members and friends the opportunities to give gifts for major projects and/or gifts in perpetuity.

AppendixPage 30


Communication


Recommendation #6◦ Page 7

It is recommended that a Financial Sustainability Advisory Council be created at the conference level and chaired by the Bishop comprised of the 50 financially wealthiest United Methodist in Indiana with a vision and commitment to make disciples for Christ and charged with advising the Bishop and the conference on matters related to maximizing financial resources for the conference and its local churches.

AppendixPage 30



It is recommended that a variety of ways by which to actually make contributions be provided to givers.

AppendixPage 31


Recommendation # 8Page 7

It is recommended that additional means for collecting and reporting “good news” stories and successful outcomes need to be established.

AppendixPage 32



It is recommended that research be gathered which will lead to a language that will clearly communicate the complexities of good stewardship.


AccountabilitiesResponsibilities

Tithing Task Force


It is recommended that clergy and laity be encouraged to be leaders in the area of stewardship and produce improved financial outcomes and be held accountable for the outcomes derived under their leadership.

Appendix Page 33


Recommendation #11◦ Page 8

It is recommended that one person or group be named to oversee the implementation, coordination and follow through of all approved recommendations. That person or group should report to the Bishop or his designee and not already be buried in other responsibilities.


Resources

Tithing Task Force Report

Documents

Transcript of Tithing Task Force Report