How To Form a Parish Stewardship Committee
The Parish Stewardship Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating appropriate stewardship awareness, ongoing education, preparation, and implementation and resource development activities in parish life. This committee works with the pastor and parish staff to ensure the successful implementation and renewal of stewardship and provide support to everyone involved.
The Parish Stewardship Committee serves under the sponsorship of the parish pastoral council, which indicates that the committee’s role is greater than merely financial improvement; the development of the human aspects of time and talent and societal stewardship rank equally important.
Parish Stewardship Committee members should include the pastor and parishioners old and young, married, single, widowed and people of different economic levels and ethnic backgrounds who are committed to stewardship, love of God and Church. Ideally these persons demonstrate a faithful and generous sharing of their time, talent and financial resources within the parish. Members must be able to envision where stewardship will take the parish. It is important that members are spiritually motivated, are regular communicants, spend time studying Scripture, are committed to lay involvement and are willing to share their faith with others. The chairperson of the committee will serve as the diocesan contact person to the office of Stewardship and Development.
Experience confirms that the Parish Stewardship Committee will receive greater support throughout the parish if it is firmly grounded in the scriptural and theological philosophies of stewardship and giving. Members should begin their meetings with prayer, scripture study and faith-sharing. The Office of Stewardship in the Diocese will provide stewardship education and preparedness, as well as ongoing education for all Parish Stewardship Committee Members.
The Parish Stewardship Committee’s
Responsibilities include the following:
Facilitate a model of shared responsibility with the pastor, parish staff regarding the implementation or renewal of stewardship. This will enable a busy pastor to let go of the administrative details and empower the committee to fulfill it responsibilities.
Work with other parish leaders to present stewardship as appropriately and prayerfully as possible. Act as liaison with the existing parish organizations and parish staff. Invite parishioners to share their personal testimonies about stewardship.
Determine the kinds of ministries, groups and activities that are presently active in the parish.
Assist leaders of these groups in completing Committee Information sheets.
Prepare a Time and Talent list or catalogue of parish activities and organizations based upon the information from each committee.
Assist in the development of welcoming and hospitality programs for parishioners.
Work with all committee leaders to coordinate the training of volunteers.
Carry out an annual process for parishioner’s commitment of time and talent and treasure.
Encourage and support for stewardship throughout the year by using stewardship reflections in bulletins/newsletters, Prayers of the Faithful and Sunday homilies.
Review and evaluate past year’s accomplishments and make annual report to the parish.
Encourage the creation of a Volunteer Ministry Coordinator position within the parish.