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A Guide for Congregations: Gifts to Expand
Ministry
"You are the people of God: he loved you and chose you for
his own ... Everything you do or say, then should be done in
the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God."
- Colossians 3:12-17
Giving through accumulated, inherited, and appreciated resources may
be called "asset stewardship." A Christian is called
out of the Water and Word of Baptism to respond faithfully to God's
grace in Christ. God has acted in love towards us, calling us
to respond with acts of kindness towards others. As people of
God, just as we are encouraged to give proportionately from our
accumulated resources during life or at death. As "asset
stewards" planning for the distribution of all lifetime
accumulations, we take a vital step in completing our stewardship
plan.
So now that
you have established your congregational
mission endowment fund. What's next?
Many congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
have initiated a mission endowment fund to encourage gifts to the
ministry of the church through accumulated, inherited, and
appreciated financial resources. These mission endowment funds
provide support to mission beyond the operating budget of the
congregation.
A mission endowment fund only works if there is money in the
fund! The challenge to the congregation and the leadership of
the mission endowment fund is to encourage the membership of the
congregation to grow in whole life "asset stewardship."
Here are just a few ideas as a resource to help your congregation
grow its endowment fund in order that mission outreach programs may
reach others in Christ's name.
The Ministry of "Asset
Stewardship" in the Congregation
The central role of the mission endowment fund is to enhance the
mission outreach of the congregation by introducing members to
"asset stewardship" and encouraging their growth in
whole-life giving. Remember to coordinate efforts with annual
stewardship. Giving to the congregation's mission endowment
fund is a continuation of annual giving of income. Leadership
can focus on their role through these four actions - educate,
encourage, enlist, and excite.
Educate
Share the mission and vision of
the mission endowment fund. Help members to see how it
fulfills the congregation's mission statement to make Christ known
in all the world. Create a program through printed
communication, seminars (ELCA Foundation Gift Planners are available to provide
Wills/Estate/Gift Planning seminars) and other media resources
which teach people about planned giving and charitable estate
planning. Encourage
Provide ongoing events
and programs which assist in each member's own journey of
realizing their charitable dream. This would include
highlighting the programs which the mission fund supports or would
like to support, as well as asking the congregation what
ministries they would like to see receive support. Enlist
Invite and ask individuals for their commitment to the mission
fund. Both current and planned gifts of accumulated assets
can be beneficial. Excite
Celebrate the
'gift of giving' within the life of the congregation. This
means saying thank you for the gifts from faithful stewards!
Occasions for celebration provide opportunity to educate,
encourage & enlist the participation of others.
Celebrate the distributions made to various ministries and other
programs .... say thanks seven times.
Creating a plan to
encourage giving The mission endowment
fund leadership must put a working plan into place. Three
suggested action steps:
-
Write mission/purpose statement of the mission
endowment fund and share it with others of the congregation
through a Mission Endowment Fund brochure. (For samples
from ELCA congregations contact the ELCA Foundation).
-
Encourage each member of the committee to make
their own personal commitment of a portion of their accumulated
assets to the mission endowment fund.
-
Devise a schedule of events and programs to be
initiated over the next two years which will educate, encourage,
enlist and excite others for the mission endowment fund in your
congregation.
A Strategy for Promoting
the Congregational Mission Endowment Fund
Once the mission endowment fund has been established
it is important to educate the congregation about the fund.
Monthly articles in the congregation newsletter are a good way to
keep members informed. The following is a sample outline of a
twelve month education plan. Its implementation can be the
duty of the Mission Endowment Fund committee.
Month 1
Establish a "Kick-Off
Sunday." Each Sunday of this month, the bulletin should
include a line "It's coming" and the date for the
"kick-off"/introduction to the mission endowment fund,
i.e. "Mark your calendar and plan to attend."
Month 2
Continue the above announcement
until the Kick-Off Sunday has arrived. On the Kick-Off
Sunday invite an ELCA Foundation Gift Planner or other speaker to preach, lead the
adult form and sponsor a luncheon highlighting Wills/Estates/Gift
Planning.
Month 3
Include in this month's church
newsletter an article on planned giving and sample ways
to make a charitable gift.
Month 4
One Sunday this month have a
bulletin insert with information on the mission endowment
fund. Include a tear-off piece: "Please send me more
information on how I can make a gift." (Note: Some
congregations prefer to have members send their response cards to
an ELCA Foundation Gift Planner so that the consultation is
confidential).
Month 5
Have a temple talk, preferably a
personal witness by someone who has made a planned gift to the
congregation and other ministries of the ELCA.
Month 6
Emphasize in this month's church
newsletter article the purpose of the mission endowment and what
will be accomplished because of people's generosity. Include
a sample statement of how a person can include the church in their
will ... encourage use of a "Christian
Preamble" to one's will.
Month 7
Have an adult forum with a panel to share information and
answer questions on charitable giving. Include on the panel:
an insurance agent, such as one of the fraternals (Lutheran
Brotherhood or Aid Association for Lutherans); an attorney; a
financial planner or CPA; and/or your ELCA
Regional Gift Planner or staff from the Foundation office in
Chicago.
Month 8
Hold an afternoon and/or mid-week Willis/Estate/Gift Planning
Workshop. Your ELCA Regional Gift Planner or staff from the
Foundation office in Chicago. In your newsletter this month,
explain how a Charitable Gift Annuity works.
Month 9
Distribute the congregation's endowment brochure to every
household in the congregation. The following are listed in
order of the most effective ways to accomplish this:
-
committee
members can personally deliver them to each household
-
phone
members and tell them to watch for the brochure in the mail,
then mail the brochure
-
mail the
brochure with a personal hand-written note from a committee
member offering to answer questions
Month 10
Each Sunday of this month, have a brief temple talk on planned
giving (a personal witness is best) or read a story on what a
planned gift has done to further the gospel message (resources are
available from the ELCA Foundation).
Month 11
Include on your annual stewardship pledge or commitment cards an
opportunity to make a planned gift commitment.
Month 12
Include in this month's newsletter an article on what the
Endowment Committee has accomplished over the past twelve months.
Throughout
the Year - HAVE FUN !!! Celebrate every gift that
is received (with the donor's permission or anonymously). This
can really be an inspiration for others to make a planned
gift. Also share with the congregation where distributions
have gone. If possible have a recipient or representative from
a recipient organization come and speak at Sunday worship.
Other thoughts
for newsletter articles; gifts received; distributions made; ideas
of how to give to the mission endowment fund; dream distributions;
what the congregation could do with distributions.
A
Sample Mission Endowment Fund Calendar to Promote Planned Giving
January
Mail a letter to members of your congregation, suggesting they make
a New Year's resolution to write or update their wills. If
possible, send this letter over the signature of someone who has
already remembered the church in his or her will. Include a
brochure containing information about gifting vehicles.
Include a response devise to request additional information.
Display extra brochures in a visible location at the church.
February
Publish an article in your church newsletter telling the story of an
individual or couple who has made estate plans that include your
church.
March
Publish a letter to congregation members in your newsletter
outlining information about your congregation's mission endowment
fund.
April/May
Publicize "Leave a Legacy for Ministry" month that will
occur in June. A temple talk testimony from someone who has
benefitted from endowment gifts (such as a scholarship recipient)
adds credibility. Host a "Leave a Legacy for
Ministry" open house for those who have already included the
church in their estate plans or are considering doing so.
(This social event may be held at a location away from the church
building. Include good food.)
June/July
If you have identified them, talk with people who are interested in
remembering your congregations in their wills. Help them with
their estate planning needs, or put them in touch with professional
advisors who can assist (Such as an ELCA Foundation Gift Planner). Welcome new "Willing
Witnesses" or "Mission Expanders" as they share their
plans to make a future gift.
August/September
"Piggyback" will and estate planning information with the
annual stewardship campaign promotional materials. Work
together with the stewardship campaign team. One way is to
suggest that appreciated assets may be used to fulfill one's annual
pledge. For someone who can't make a substantial pledge but
would like to give more, an estate gift may be the right answer.
October
Emphasize end-of-the-year tax planning ideas. Invite people to
attend a November seminar on financial and estate planning.
Work through a church committee or group to sponsor the
seminar. Promote this educational opportunity in the
congregation's newsletter and Sunday bulletins.
November
Conduct a seminar during the Sunday school hour or other time this
is likely to draw attendance. Follow-up with people who
request additional assistance.
December
Plan next year's calendar.
In your annual
planning, you may consider special topic seminars or interest
groups. For example, an excellent focus may be on women of the
church or a gathering of seniors.
Enjoy the
challenge and opportunity of responding faithfully to God's grace in
Christ.
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