GENEROUS GESTURES Slovak Zion Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church

GENEROUS GESTURES Slovak Zion Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Synod Assembly June 28, 2008 Rev. Scott Schantzenbach, ELCA Stewardship Specialist

Stewardship Strengthens • Stewardship strengthens your relationship with Jesus through the gifts God entrusted into your care. • Stewardship strengthens your faith and church. 2

Evangelical Lutheran Worship • Three offertory prayers are included in ELW. • Two prayers reference only bread and wine. • Silence about possessions gives money more power than it deserves 3

Consumer Oriented Culture • It is complicated today to know the difference between a need and a want. • Top 3 priorities, Family, friends, pets • What would you do with $600, no strings attached? • We are in a bottomless pit of consumption • Bottled water • What is in your child’s bedroom 4

Consider the Following • Young adults (25 -34) are the fastest growing age segment filing for bankruptcy. • The average credit card debt per U. S. household is nearly $9, 000. (The typical household pays more in credit card interest than they share with their church! • Children today spend $100 per week. FIVE TIMES more money than their parents did at the same age (and that is adjusted for inflation. ) 5

The Endless Pursuit of “IT” • • • Controls our behavior Shapes values Credit score and Zip Code Slaves to the “almighty dollar” If we do not get this under control it will ruin us! 6

The Rich Fool Luke 12: 16 -20 a NRSV “Jesus told them a parable. ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops? ” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry, ” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you…” 7

The Rich Fool Luke 12: 16 -20 a (bold type is a Greek translation) “Jesus told them a parable. ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops? ” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry, ” But God said to him, ‘Foolish man, in this night THEY demand your soul from you…” 8

Tip-Toe Through the TULIPs • T • U • L • I • P Technology Utilities Land/Facilities Insurance Personnel 9

Buckets Of Money • • • How consumers play games Scarcity and Abundance “Borrow against” the endowment “Run a tab” with your pastor Pull the equity out of the church building. Pastor’s not managing money well 10

Stewardship in Times of Economic Challenge “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities English novelist (1812 - 1870) 11

100% STAY THE COURSE TACTICAL STRIKE Believing Our Lord Delivers CHANGED LIFESTYLE 12

100% STAY THE COURSE Leads to a dead end TACTICAL STRIKE Insufficient, unsustainable and reactionary Believing Our Lord Delivers CHANGED MISSIONAL LIFESTYLE Faithful systemic response 13

Willing to be willing? • Average teen spends $100/week • Seniors are 27% of population, have 50% of discretionary money and control 70% of wealth in the U. S. • The parable of the used Honda Civic • The parable of the Rich Ruler, Luke 18: 22 • “’Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me. ’ But when he heard this he became sad for he was very rich. 14

Bible Study Feeding the 5, 000 Mark 6: 34 -44

Mark 6: 34 -44 What are the issues and challenges which the crowd, disciples and Jesus face in this story? 16

Bible Study What would be the anticipated result of following the first inclination of the disciples? 17

Feeding the 5, 000 How does Jesus “redeem” this difficult situation? 18

Mark 6: 34 -44 A Miracle of Sharing What behaviors are modeled for us by those present the day of the miracle? 19

The Miracle of Bread Are there similarities between this story and Jesus time in the desert? 20

Jesus Feeds the Multitude How might a generous heart and an act of sharing strengthen our relationship with Jesus? With our neighbor? 21

Lets Talk

Stewardship Culture Change SCARED a BOLD SHALLOW a SIGNIFICANT SLOW a NIMBLE SCARCITY a ABUNDANCE CONSUMER a GIFT ORIENTED 23

Green Dot Gestures 24

Green Dot Gestures • These 4 gestures expressed in the context of trusting the Spirit, calls us away from fear, greed, consumption and self absorption. • Green Dot gestures provide a template for generosity, hospitality, forgiveness, sharing, and humility 25

Taking • In the world of consumption, “taking” can be misconstrued as an excuse to grab what you want. • “Taking” is not a justification for personal gain at another’s expense. • “Taking” in the parable is more akin to the act of receiving. • “Taking: in the parable is rooted in an act of generosity. 26

Blessing • “Blessing is the peculiar act of naming God’s presence in our actions. • The act of “blessing” recognizes God’s presence and favor on those who have gathered. 27

Breaking • “Breaking” is in part the simple act of dividing what we have to share with those around us. (Acts 2) • “Breaking” signals an intention to share and prepares for distribution. • “Breaking turns gifts into assets. 28

Giving • “Giving” begins with a simple act of sharing but when following the pattern of Christ, moves to the depth of self-giving. • “Giving” is done in the context of memory and hope. • When “Giving” is unrestricted it builds a relationship of interdependence and trust. • “Giving” sustains the community. 29

Green Dot Gestures Change the Stewardship Culture Grab Self Reliant Retain Consumer TAKE Receive Thankfully BLESS Humbly Embrace God’s Purpose BREAK Lovingly Sacrifice GIVE First Fruits Percentage Gift 30

Time For Action 1. This is God’s Gig 2. Provide the Vision and Mission Parachute Drop 3. Strengthen Partnerships and Get Weapons Off the Street 31

When You Get Home 4. Behave your way into a new way of thinking with a green dot “ 10~10~80 lifestyle” Share 10% Save 10% Spend 80% 32

Green Dot Time Means… 5. * Receive thankfully * Humbly embrace God’s purpose * Lovingly sacrifice * Share first fruits, asset based, percentage gifts 33

Mission Support Principles 34

Principle 1 Mission Support Sharing is a First-Fruits Gift Congregations make their decisions about mission sharing first, before other budgetary decisions are made and, as a matter of priority, send gifts for Synod/Churchwide Mission Support and designated benevolences on a monthly basis. 35

Principle 2 Mission Support Sharing is Proportional Congregations share proportionately from their resources as an act of worship, devotion and support of the mission tasks of the Synod and ELCA Churchwide Units. 36

Principle 3 10% is the Base Level of Mission Support Sharing Congregations strive to share a minimum of 10 percent of their income for Synod/Churchwide Mission Support, moving as they are able toward and beyond a tithe of unrestricted income for mission beyond the local parish. 37

Principle 4 Congregations Tithe Unrestricted Bequests Congregations tithe (give 10 percent) unrestricted bequests for mission beyond the local parish, as a continuing example of first fruits, proportionate, giving and sharing. 38

Principle 5 Congregations Tithe Unrestricted Endowment Income Congregation offers at least a tithe (10 percent) of all unrestricted income from the endowment and memorial funds to the Synod and/or other wider ministries of the ELCA. 39

It is Time to Remember the 4 Green Dot Gestures Grab Self Reliant Retain Consumer TAKE Receive Thankfully BLESS Humbly Embrace God’s Purpose BREAK Lovingly Sacrifice GIVE First Fruits Percentage Gift 40

At the Table • When we gather at the table we practice these gestures. • Break bread with those with whom we disagree, differences are set aside in light of common practice • In the passing of the cup the primacy of our own needs is challenged. • We create community grounded in language of receiving, thanksgiving, sharing, serving. 41

Look at Your Watch The green dot reminds you… The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom has come near, worship God in your stewardship! 42

The Six Point Postscript Generational Motivation Special Gifts Legacy Stewardship Looking After the Funds Commercial Ventures Personal Finance

Generational Motivations • Uncle Sam Wants You • Join the People Who Joined the Army • Be All That You Can Be • An Army of One • Army Strong 44

Special One-Time Occasioned Gifts • Opportunity to give more than you might give otherwise • Provide education about specific ministries • Help the congregation and people see a greater giving potential • Inspire gifts from those who do not regularly give • Allow for different ways of giving 45

Legacy Stewardship The Mission Endowment • Develop an overall plan • Provide multiple opportunities to share • Provide guidelines and policies • Use professionals and good resources • Offer special programs 46

Look After the Funds • • • Provide detailed reporting to the congregation Keep records of all financial transactions Dual signatures on checks is standard Separate financial secretary and treasurer roles Two people count and credit giving each Sunday before money is moved from the church. • Reports must be complete, honest, and audited • Report the giving status to each giving unit regularly • Understanding “restricted” funds 47

Commercial Ventures • Voluntary giving by church members remains the primary method of collecting resources for God’s mission • Rental Income, (tax implications). • Rummage Sales, harvest festivals, heritage celebrations (permits and fees). • No games of chance • Establish and use Investment screens • Living off former generations 48

Stewardship Leaders • Find Contentment • Put your house in order. You are a public figure, the congregation knows your financial business. – Be Generous. Practice First Fruits Proportional Giving – Control Spending – Manage Debt – 10 -10 -80 • Good stewardship practice enables you to speak with power and integrity. If you do not teach and model 10 -10 -80 Stewardship… 49 the world will become the default teacher.

Where your money is, there your heart will be also. (Mt 6: 21) Stewardship strengthens your relationship with Jesus through the gifts God has entrusted into your care.