Breakthrough in church apathy Two tools for health and effectiveness

1. Breakthrough in church apathyTwo tools for health and effectiveness subtitle

2. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

3. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model

4. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

5. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

6. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

7. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

8. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

9. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review G8: STEWARDSHIP– The challenge of faith Are church members willingly and generously offering for God’s work their time, gifts/experience, and money for the benefit of others? Sample tests(cf.U7) 1 stewardship viewed in the totality of life, not just for work within the church, so that involvement in community affairs is both encouraged and then prayerfully supported; 2 members giving generous proportions of their income for their church and for those in need worldwide, with the church able to finance all its outgoings without stress; (cf.O8.4, S7.3) 3 a sense of vocation with people offering their lives to God, both those in normal work and activity and with some moving into specific Christian ministry, training; 4 evidence that both time involvement and financial giving come from across the congregation rather than from only a small group, with no strain on finding activity helpers; (cf.U7.1) 5 evidence of Christians seeking to live simply as pilgrims in today’s world, not accumulating wealth but sharing possessions/homes, and mindful of environmental and fair-trade issues. (cf.U2.3, S4.5)

10. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review S7: FINANCE– Money to enable ministry Is church finance seen as a key area of spiritual ministry which serves rather than dictates vision, and is it overseen with wisdom and thoroughness? Sample tests 1 General Fund income sufficient over time to cover outgoings (without forced cutbacks) and without the need for panic appeals; 2 annual budgets led by the agreed vision, with good controls in place but a willingness to take risks where there is a belief that God is leading; 3 special needs (eg. major projects, global mission giving) handled in such a way that generous sums are provided and people’s faith grows; (cf.G8.2, O8.4) 4 good reporting through management accounts to decision-making bodies and through innovative means of communication to the congregation, so all understand the position; 5 good processes in place so that all bills and salaries/expenses are paid without delay, trading activity is managed to a high standard, significant levels of Gift Aid tax are refunded, methods of collection and offering within services have been chosen well, etc.

11. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model

12. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model

13. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model

14. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model

15. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model

16. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model V4: THE REALITY OF THE WORLD – Christian involvement Does the organisation have a clear understanding through practical experience of the physical and spiritual culture in which its beneficiaries live, so that it can work with integrity within that culture? Sample tests(cf.A8) 1 leaders and staff living within the culture in which the organisation is working, or with recent experience and current understanding of that culture; 2 any activity that researches and monitors the changing environment so that decision-making is informed and trends are predicted; 3 the use of external advisers to help the organisation understand the culture in which its beneficiaries are placed; 4 any placing of offices and staff within the culture being reached, rather than in areas that the organisation might find easier or more conducive to work in; (cf.E2) 5 the testimony of beneficiaries that the organisation understands both them and their needs and works from this basis.

17. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model E5: SUPPORTERS– People resources: internal Are the organisation’s supporters (volunteers, donors, pray-ers) given regular and appropriate information for the part they play, in suitable formats, and regarded as part of the overall team? Sample tests 1 any readership surveys that show that the organisation’s newsletters/magazines are communicating well and appreciated by those who receive them; 2 evidence that the way that prayer and other information is made available in various media is helpful for and used by supporters; 3 donors impressed at the speed and courtesy in which their gifts are handled and acknowledged; 4 the provision and the regular updating of the database so that waste is reduced and accurate records are kept; 5 an enthusiastic supporter base, with low levels of turnover and appropriate age and gender profiles.

18. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Church Health Review

19. CTBI National Stewardship Network Conference 2012: Christian Effectiveness Model