The Presbytery Office will once again submit a bulk order.  Since we will be ordering 100 or more, we can purchase them for $5.00 per copy, including some of the postage costs.  The office pays the balance of the postage.  What a deal! 

We need to order during the month of August so I’ve set a deadline of August 1 to receive orders from congregations and individuals who will be ordering less than 100 copies.  The order forms are available on the Forms & Policies page of this website.  Click here.

Of course, funds will be accepted at any time, but they will show as 2008 receipts.  Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

The 2008 Presbytery operating budget was adopted. Per Capita was set at $26.00per member based on membership reported as of December 31, 2006.   For those who want to learn more about the history of per capita, click here.Â

As congregations establish their Unified Mission budget, please consider the recommended percentagesof 26% for General Assembly, 21% for Synod, and 53% for Presbytery.  Winnebago Presbytery operates with a unified budget, which means that per capita and mission giving are combined income for the operating budget.  Per capita statements and mission pledge forms will be mailed to congregations in early December.

Other actions included election of Presbytery officers, Synod and General Assembly Commissioners. The Associate Executive Presbyter position was approved as a permanent position and the Rev. Randy Argall was received into membership. He has been called as pastor to Green Bay First Presbyterian Church beginning January 1, 2008.

1. Thanking members for their giving
2. Explaining how their gifts are being used to impact lives and make a difference in the world.

This is what I learned:

• Members are more excited to give to projects that impact lives, rather than to pay power bills or meet a budget target.
• Per member giving is declining. Also, pledged income is declining as a proportion of the total.
• 71% of pastors in the U.S. believe that church members have changed from stewards into consumers,
• Continuous communication about how churches spend their incomes cannot be understated.
• All communication media should be involved in applying the model, service announcements/sermons, Sunday bulletins, monthly newsletters, web sites, etc.
• Regular financial updates should be provided to members to keep them informed.
• Many successful pastors give the highest priority to worship and stewardship in their ministries.
• Pastors have to set an example by their own actions in stewardship and giving.
• Churches should make it easy for members to give by providing facilities such as EFT’s etc.

The annual stewardship campaign remains the key focal point of this stewardship model. However it should flow naturally from the groudwork laid through the application of the above process.

Finally, it is essential that there is a documented strategy and action plan for a successful annual stewardship event.

Reactions to this stewardship model differed among those of us who attended. However there was agreement that we all came away with knowledge that could be applied in our congregations. Many of us are in the process of applying some or all of the learning from this event. A evaluation will take place early in 2006.

Max Ballard CLP

What is your congregation doing about stewardship? Is it a year long process? Two weeks in November? A word that no one wants to hear?