January 2006 Stewardship Tips

Your parish almost surely has a Finance Council – it’s the one parish organization mandated by canon law.  And if you’re reading this, you probably have a Stewardship Council (or Committee or Commission), too.  But do those two groups intersect or interact in any way?  In many parishes, if parish revenues take a downward turn, the Finance Council asks, “Well, what are the stewardship people going to do about it?”  That usually causes members of the Stewardship Council to wring their hands and wonder if the Finance Council will ever understand that stewardship is about so much more than money!  One effective solution is to “cross-pollinate” the two councils by making sure that at least one member of the Finance Council is on the Stewardship Council, and vice versa.  And these need to be active, involved individuals who commit to showing up and being a part of the other group on a regular basis.

One parish that did this found that the Finance Council became more and more comfortable with the stewardship language of gifts and giving – and the need to give and be grateful for gifts of time and talent, as well as the more measurable financial gifts.  In turn, the Stewardship Council members grew more appreciative of the scope and serious nature of the financial stewardship of the parish which is the special responsibility of the Finance Council.  They “learned each other’s language,” as it were, and began to understand each other’s priorities.  The result was far more collaboration and much less finger-pointing.  In fact, recently the chair of the Finance Council called to say that he couldn’t make an upcoming meeting, explaining that he thought it was “better stewardship of the gift of parenthood” to attend his son’s soccer playoff instead!

Similar good results can be expected when the Stewardship Council “cross-pollinates” with other influential parish groups, like the parish school board, for example.  The only requirement is that the members who agree to take on the additional membership commit to participating fully in the meetings and activities of the other group.  “A little leaven leavens the whole lump,” Scripture says (Gal. 5:9).  It certainly seems to be true when parish groups share the gift of presence and make an intentional effort to interact!

Stewardship by the Book
by Sharon Hueckel
A great way to effectively promote stewardship in a parish bulletin, school flier, or development newsletter. Helps present catechetical material in a clear and concise manner and includes artwork. 1-59276-099-6, Computer CD-ROM, $24.95 plus S&H, ID #:M151. Click here for more information or to order.