Three Approaches to Parish Stewardship
The Office of Stewardship and Development in the Diocese of Worcester makes no claim that these three approaches are the only methods of raising parishioner’s understanding of their responsibility as Christians and Catholics to share time, talent and treasure. These three approaches are promoted because they have been practiced successfully by parishes in the diocese and have met immediate and long-range parish stewardship needs.
- Process A: Implementing/Renewing Time and Talent Followed by Treasure
- Process B: Implementing/Renewing Time, Talent and Treasure
- Process C: Implementing/Renewing Treasure Followed by Time and Talent.
These approaches are significantly different and will meet a parish’s most immediate need—whether it is the financial condition of the parish or to emphasize the sharing of time and talent of the parishioners. The question to ask is: “What are the most important stewardship needs in our parish—time and talent or treasure?” The determination as to which approach to use is the responsibility of the pastor in consultation with the parish stewardship committee, parish pastoral council and parish finance council/committee. Practicing stewardship parishes should determine which approach best fits the parish needs and goals.
Process A: Implementing/Renewing Time and Talent Followed by Treasure
- This process initially helps parishes answer the perennial challenge: How do we enable more members to discover, develop and share their unique gifts and talents? All parishioners, whether young or old, have special gifts and talents to share with their faith community. Sharing our time and talents also provides an opportunity to learn new skills, strengthen the parish and make new friends.
- After a specific time of education and reflection on the parish financial situation, parishioners are asked to commit a portion of their income to support the parish and its ministries.
This six-week effort combines committee and staff preparation, parishioner education, lay witness and pastor presentations, printed materials, announcements and follow-up.
Process B: Implementing/Renewing Time, Talent and Treasure
- This process encourages the volunteer and financial commitment of the gifts of time, talent and treasure within one stewardship season. All parishioners experience the same education and reflection on volunteer participation and the financial situation as Process A and Process C.
This six-week effort combines committee and staff preparation, parishioner education, lay witness and pastor presentations, printed materials, announcements and follow-up.
Process C: Implementing/Renewing Treasure followed by Time & Talent
- This process begins with effective communication of parishioners’ responsibilities as stewards whose financial support for the parish is required. Parishioners are provided with thorough stewardship education and assessment of parish finances. After a period of reflection, parishioners are asked to commit a percentage of their income to support the parish and its ministries.
- Time and talent commitment or renewal follows at the most appropriate time for ministries and committees.
This six-week effort combines committee and staff preparation, parishioner education, lay witness and pastor presentations, printed materials, announcements and follow-up.
Three Model Approach
After determining which time, talent and treasure approach to use, the implementation/renewal model must be chosen for the parish. This is accomplished by the pastor in consultation with the parish pastoral council, parish finance council and the parish staff. All three models produce successful results and require three-to-six weeks to conduct. Diocesan parishes that have experience with these models make the following claims:
· Model 1: Every-Member-Visit Stewardship Commitment
This is the most effective model because parishioners are personally invited to become involved. This approach requires collaboration of staff resources and committed volunteers to follow a specific program of planning, education, recruitment of visitors, commitment and follow-up.
It is not necessary to make solicitation of time, talent and treasure the centerpiece or only activity performed during household visit. These visits can be a “pastoral experience” by adding an opportunity for people to update their parish census forms, provide input as to how the parish is meeting the needs of the Church, provide personal comment to the parish staff( in a sealed envelope provided for that purpose), etc.
Typically, first year member visits will double the volunteer base of the parish and provide increases in offertory of over 60%. Succeeding years will increase volunteer commitments and financial commitments at a rate of about 10-15% a year. Parishioners may want to consider an every member visit the first year and then visit one-third of the parish every year thereafter.
Model 2: In-the-Pew Stewardship Commitment
This model is traditionally the second most effective method used by stewardship committees. This approach follows an outline of implementation and essentially, is committee driven. After the-in-the-pew solicitation is completed, the parish should make an attempt, usually through the mail, to contact the balance of the parishioners who have not made a commitment. Typically, a first year in-the-pew effort will generate an offertory increase of approximately 30% and will add about 10% to an already volunteer basis.
If a parish chooses to use an in-the-pew solicitation followed by household visitation to those who did not respond; visitors should be trained to expect some negative reactions at the door. This is a result of the fact that some parishioners, those who were in church, have already decided not to participate and wonder why they are being visited.
· Model 3: Direct Mail Stewardship Commitment
This model contacts every parishioner during the stewardship season. This approach is a direct, inexpensive and measurable effort that communicates the stewardship message to both active and non-active parishioners. This method traditionally produces the least favorable results of the three models listed.
The advantage of direct mail is that it is inexpensive and much less labor intensive than visiting. The downside is that fewer than half the parishioners may open the mail. Typically, direct mail used alone, will produce increases of 15% in offertory and very few new volunteers.
However, direct mail should always be used as follow-up to either in-the-pew solicitation or every member visits. Direct mail is used to ensure that every household has at least had an opportunity to respond.
Once your parish has decided which approach to use, please choose the most appropriate model for your parish and contact the Office of Stewardship and Development to receive additional assistance.