Each month Our Connection Matters offers a toolkit which includes a wealth of resources focusing on a different theme to resource your local church in nurture, outreach, witness and advocacy ministries.

Stewardship encompasses the promises and vows we make when we join the church - prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. 

This month we tackle one component of this promise, our gifts - financial stewardship - both personal and congregational. 

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

Fall is in the air with everything "pumpkin spice" appearing in stores and fall decorations on the shelves. For many local churches this time of year means stewardship campaigns, planning new ministries and programming, seeking to fill leadership roles within the church and dreaming of a balanced budget and the resources needed to participate and support kingdom building. 

We hope the resources provided in this edition will help jumpstart your planning and give you new ideas for this "season." 

Connectional Ministries is here to help resource you in all areas of ministry and programming. Contact Allison Lindsey if you would like to share ideas and connect with other churches successful in specific areas of ministry. It's through our connection that we can learn best practices and help each other bear fruit for discipleship and be Alive Together In The World!  

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N  U  R  T  U  R  E

Stewardship is most effective when modeled and taught to all ages and through all stages of life to provide a solid biblical foundation for good stewardship. Teaching can be interwoven year round to encourage generous living and giving.  

Financial Peace University: A program and tools to take control of your money, plan for the future and transform your life. 

Financial Peace Junior: Money lessons for kids

15 Ways To Teach Kids About Money: Dave Ramsey

Fun Ministry Ideas to Teach Kids Stewardship

Stewardship Tables: A-ha moments for children & youth

Enough Stewardship Program: Adam Hamilton

Chuck Knows Church: The Committee/Stewardship (Video, 13:55)

3 Ways to Increase Generosity

United Methodist Connectional Credit Union: programs and resources for churches and UMC members. 

For more stewardship resources, check out UMC Giving. This website include videos, downloadable resources and highlights the strength and impact through our connection. 

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O  U  T  R  E  A  C  H

In addition to local church outreach budgeted and supported through financial stewardship in the local congregation, in The United Methodist Church generosity also translates into apportionments and connectional giving which has transforming impact all over the world!

How the Methodist Church Stretches A Dollar (Video, 1:39)

Chuck Knows Church: Apportionments (Video, 2:49)

Multiply Your Impact: Second Mile Giving (Video, 1:38)

World Communion Sunday, October 7th: On World Communion Sunday your financial giving helps to provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn & serve.

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W  I  T  N  E  S  S

Our witness through financial stewardship shines through in leading by example as we support the church and its ministries in changing the world. 

Clergy Financial Literacy Academy: Recently the Georgia United Methodist Foundation hosted a 4-day academy for clergy to help better equip and prepare pastors in the area of financial literacy. Check out the resources in GUMF Faith & Money and subscribe to receive future issues. 

Ending The Year Strong: It’s not too late to have a better 2018! Every church has ups and downs in their finances, and if your church has some ground to recover, don’t despair – ACT! Join Discipleship Ministries in this upcoming webinar as they share how you can best embrace the most generous months of the year. 

Year End Giving: Playbook: 4 Phases for Year End Giving

50 Ways to Improve Your Stewardship Campaign

4 Awesome Ideas to Boost Stewardship Campaigns

5 Key Elements in Successful Stewardship Strategies

Stewardship Resources: Cokesbury

Church Finances: Involve, Teach & Share the Budget

For additional Outreach & Witness resources, visit United Methodist Communications.

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A  D  V  O  C  A  C  Y

The United Methodist Church continues its prophetic witness to advocate for a living wage in every industry, for the rights of all workers to organize, for the faithful stewardship of money and for moral budgets that prioritize the needs of the poor over the greed of the wealthy.

Faithful Finance: All economic systems are under the judgement of God no less than other facets of the created order. Learn about 3 specific things which you can do to be financially faithful. 

For more Advocacy resources, visit Church & Society and Discipleship Ministries.

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T E L L   U S   W H A T   Y O U   K N O W

Our Connection Matters! In the October edition, we will be looking at... "wait for it"...ADVENT. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus! 

We would like your input on future topics and resources to highlight. Please take a moment to share your ideas: click here.

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