Stewardship from A to Z

The LCMS Stewardship Ministry A-Z resource collection includes some items that are important for every pastor and stewardship committee to consider, and it includes items that are tailored to specific settings.

In other words: Not everything in this book is for you; it is not meant to be read cover to cover. The documents are arranged into four sections to help leaders find content applicable to their unique settings.

Introduction: How to Utilize This Collection of Resources

Theology of Stewardship

This section includes short essays meant for everyone. The essays place stewardship in the context of Lutheran theology and lay the foundation for the rest of the resources. Read these first.

Table of Contents:

Grace and Every Blessing: The Gifts Hidden in the Commandments

Encouraging Generous Stewards

Head of the Household

New Testament Stewardship

Whole-Life Stewardship

Download collection: Theology of Stewardship

Bible Studies, Sermons, and Pastoral Aids

Everything in the church comes back to the Word of God. These resources may be used in your congregation, or you may use them as springboards for creating your own studies. Permission is granted to copy, paste, edit, and duplicate.

Table of Contents:

Sermon/Bible Study: The Sunday of the Lilies

Bible Study: Tithes and Offerings

Preaching About Stewardship: Theological Considerations for Lutheran Preaching

Getting Personal About the Importance of Faithful Stewardship

Getting Personal About the Basics of Stewardship

Getting Personal About Preaching and Teaching Stewardship

Stewardship in the Lectionaries

Getting Personal About Ministry and Stewardship

Getting Personal: Concluding Thoughts

Download collection: Bible Studies, Sermons, and Pastoral Aids

Nuts and Bolts

This section includes how-to guides, tips, and plans for implementing stewardship programs in your congregation.

Table of Contents:

Creating a healthy stewardship culture

Stewardship in and through worship

Organizing the Congregation for Stewardship

Planning Year-Round Stewardship

Pillar One: Providing Intentional, Systematic, Year-round, Whole-Life Stewardship Education

Pillar Two: Providing an Annual Stewardship Program for Mission and Ministry

Pillar Three: Asset Mapping and Personal Money Management

Pillar Four: Providing a Lifetime Plan for Giving

Pillar Five: Providing an ‘Over and Above’ Opportunity for Expanding Mission and Ministry

Principles of Congregational Budgeting

Download collection: Nuts and Bolts

Practical Wisdom

This section offers interesting articles about demographics, personal money management, and other topics that provide insight into teaching stewardship.

Table of Contents:

The Accountable Steward

Personal Money Management

Stewardship for Children

Stewardship for Youth

Stewardship for Adults

Stewardship for Retirees

Teaching the Stewardship of Time in the Lutheran Congregation

Download collection: Practical Wisdom