Stewardship In Our Synod

The season of annual meetings and the passing of our mission budgets for 2017 is drawing to a close. We have all been busy prioritizing the ministries to which we have been called. I have no doubt there were both joyful and difficult decisions that you have had to make in your congregations. Together as the Saint Paul Area Synod, we can be grateful for the quality of financial stewardship practiced within our congregations; you have been faithful in your generosity and mindfulness of others. Thank you for this important work!

Narrative Budgets at Tool Kit

Please accept an additional word of gratitude to those who have sent in copies of their congregation’s narrative budgets. The spirit of collegiality and cooperation in the Saint Paul Area Synod is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit. The passion and energy towards carrying out the mission of Christ’s church is evident in the narrative budgets that you shared with me.

On Saturday, February 25, one of the options for the Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders is a short presentation on narrative budgets. We will be taking a look at these examples of congregational narrative budgets and considering ways to implement our own narrative budgets in our contexts. The narrative budgets that congregations have shared with me will be helpful in teaching other congregations effective strategies for transforming the communication of their own mission and work. Following the Tool Kit, the narrative budgets will be made available to other congregations as permitted.

Stewardship Lab

On March 17-18, the Saint Paul and the Minneapolis Area Synod’s will once again be hosting the joint Stewardship Lab. This year's emphasis is on how we communicate our mission and stewardship, with an emphasis on storytelling. The weekend will kick-off with an invite-only, Friday night brewery gathering for our first call rostered ministers.

On Saturday, March 18, there will be an all-day event centered on communicating our stewardship message more effectively. The keynote speaker is Scott Vaughan – a nationally-known expert in effective church communication. Additionally, there will guest speakers focusing on storytelling and narrative. This Saturday event will run from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, designed for teams of key leaders from congregations, including pastors, treasurers, stewardship chairs, etc. Registration is now open for the event, with further details forthcoming. We are thankful to Portico and the Mission Investment Fund for their partial sponsorship of this weekend!

Thank you once again for your faithful stewardship leadership. The work of ministry is made so much more fulfilling by the partnership of such generous and faithful leaders.

Blessings,

Tom

The Rev. Tom Jenkins

Stewardship Coordinator, Saint Paul Area Synod

Mount Calvary Lutheran, Eagan