SOLI/Update - Oct. 24, 2005

Can your church afford to ignore energy costs?

How much did your congregation pay for heating last winter? Now add 50 percent and you'll get a rough idea of how much it will likely cost this year, according to energy experts. Where will the extra money come from? What programs or ministries might you trim to pay for heat?

And here's another issue: If your congregation members are paying more for energy, will they be able to fulfill their pledges to the church? And if they are struggling to pay the bills, will the congregation be in a financial position to help?

It may be a good time for your congregation to get serious about energy usage and to help educate your members about energy savings as well. This week's Gleanings and resources below have a number of good places to look for guidance and inspiration. Just having a comprehensive energy audit -- often available for free or nominal cost from utility companies -- can help identify how your church can save lots of energy with minimal investment.

A free energy-saving guide for congregations is available from the government's Energy Star program. Simple, low-cost measures can add up to big savings. These include switching to programmable thermostats, installing or upgrading weather-stripping, calking windows and replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. The free 86-page guide is a good place to start. in it you'll find commonsense tips and references for further study.

Churches could help lead the way in energy saving by setting a good example or hosting forums and seminars featuring speakers from utility companies, local contractors or associations.

Experts say high energy costs are here to stay. Many older churches were built when heating oil was 10 cents a gallon and heating costs were negligible. Now heating costs are a growing line item in a budget that, for many congregations, is already spread thin. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations, and every dollar saved in heating costs is a dollar that can be spent for ministry and mission.

And that's good stewardship.

-Rob Blezard, Editor and Webmaster

New This Week:

Just in time for heating season!

Become an 'Energy Star' congregation
Experts say heating costs this winter will skyrocket -- an additional 48 percent for users of natural gas! So, pastor, how will your congregation absorb an increase like that? What programs and ministries might you cut? The good news is you can save some of those precious dollars by outfitting your church to conserve energy. Energy Star is a government program to help people and institutions cut down on energy use. Click here to learn about Energy Star congregations. Look for the free guide to energy efficiency. Click here for Energy Star's free 86-page guide for congregations, "Putting Energy into Stewardship.
Here are some other resources on congregational energy saving:
Six congregations win awards for energy savings, from Church Executive magazine.
New church is Earth-friendly, East Valley Tribune, Ariz.
Church buys 100% wind energy to meet electric needs, Empire Information.

God wants us to care - and share!

"If we worry so much about taking care of our own needs we will never have enough to take care of our neighbor. We should never be so worried about out own welfare that we don't have enough to take care of our neighbors." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

The Art and Science of Major Gift Fundraising

OK, church stewardship committee members, here's the reality: Part of your congregation's long-term stewardship strategy entails identifying potential major gift donors and asking them if they would be so willing. If this raises your anxiety level a little, you're not alone. Take heart, because this article gives you practical advice. Click here for "The Art and Science," from OnPhilanthropy.

The magic of growth
In this essay, stewardship columnist Tuck Aaker talks about how congregations can help stop declining membership and embrace growth."There is one issue that can be solved with one simple action that every one of these congregations can do. They all can change their attitude about growth and become positive about their futures. Click here for Tuck Aaker's column, from ELCA stewardship resources.

Christian Service Workshop
From the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, a creative and thoughtful service to get your members thinking and acting. With handouts and other resources. Click here for Christian Service Workshop. From the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. This week's Treasure Chest offering.