Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2006

SOLI/Update

www.stewardshipoflife.org

To whom much is expected, much is given

After long soul-searching, our church has decided to tighten up considerably the requirements for confirmation. In the end, it was a matter of good stewardship of people and our church resources, and a matter of fulfilling Jesus' command to make disciples (and not just church members) of all people.

The confirmation expectations had been relaxed some years ago, perhaps out of recognition that kids today are busy with other things and probably wouldn't choose confirmation if the choice came between church and sports, or church and work, or church and sleeping in on Sunday morning. 

So my congregation dropped its regular confirmation classes in favor of an intense, one-week summer confirmation camp that the youth were required to attend three years in a row. The church even paid for the camp!

Maybe it was hoped that by requiring so little of the confirmands that we would actually generate more enthusiasm for church and better participation by the confirmands.

Instead, even this once-a-year requirement was too much for some kids and their parents. Other kids never came to church but nonetheless dutifully showed up for camp and were confirmed.

This exemplifies a larger trap that many Mainline churches have fallen into in recent years. Faced with shrinking congregations and dwindling resources, many have relaxed their expectations of not only confirmands, but new members and established members as well.  Afraid of scaring off or offending those in the pews, many churches are timid in preaching about sin, preaching about overconsumption and self-centeredness, preaching about tithing and generous giving, preaching about discipleship. And many have become timid about asking for commitment.

But instead of drawing people to our churches, the easy approach unwittingly does just the opposite. It sends a bad message: "Membership at our church doesn't  really mean very much. We're just glad you're here. Please come back!"

One growing, robust Lutheran church I know of takes a different approach. New members are required not only to take classes, but also to fill out a personal "skills and interest" inventory. Based on that, the church helps match the new member to a church committee, outreach service or ministry that they are asked to join. The message: "Membership at our church means commitment and service. We're glad you're here. Now get busy."

Good shepherding means occasionally leading the sheep where they don't want to go. Guiding them along the way, yes! Protecting them as they go, yes! Training them? Yup. But leading them just the same.

Beginning this year, confirmands at our church will be expected to attend a certain percentage of worship services and confirmation classes, expected to serve in one of several ministries and be active in church life. We hope and pray that by raising the bar, we will challenge and lead our youth to become true disciples of the One in whose name they were baptized so many years ago.

 --Rob Blezard, Editor and Webmaster
Want to reprint this in your church publication? Great! See the note at the asterisk * below!

New This Week:

 The Art and Science of Major Gift Fundraising
"Major gift fundraising is as much an art as a science. Support by individuals makes up the majority of giving to philanthropic organizations, and major gifts from individuals can account for up to 90% of annual donations to non-profit organizations--often from as little as 5% of annual donors." How can you better reach willing donors?  Click here for "The Art and Science," from   OnPhilanthropy.com.

Stewardship as a Ministry in the Local Church
"Martin Luther said there are three conversions—first the mind, then the heart, and finally the pocketbook. A ministry of stewardship focuses on the last conversion that is so desperately needed in lives today." Click here for "Stewardship as a Ministry in the Local Church," from Building Church Leaders.

  Proclaiming stewardship
Here's a gem for pastors who want to emphasize stewardship from the pulpit and classroom. Susan K. Hedahl, professor of homiletics, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, offers tips for sermons and temple talks. "Ask what the stewardship profile of your congregation is -- Before public proclamation, it is necessary to ask: Where have we been? As a congregation, what gifts do we already employ for ourselves and others? Where do we hope to be in the months, the years ahead? Which resources do we need to consider, expand, develop?" From the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives  This week's Treasure Chest offering.


* Permission is granted to publish the message for local, nonprofit use. Please drop me a line to rcblezard@earthlink.net to let me know you're using it, and be sure to publish it with the following notice: 
(c) Copyright 2006 by the Rev. Rob Blezard, webmaster for the Stewardship of Life Institute, www.stewardshipoflife.org. Used by permission.