FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

 copyright September, 2006

K. Peter Henrickson

in the Church
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 Appendix 6

Sample Stewardship Commitment Guideline                                                                  

 

THE COMMUNITY CONGREGATION 

STEWARDSHIP SUPPORT GUIDELINE

 

Adjusted

Supporter

 

Sustainer

 

Promoter

 

Visionary Tithe

Annual

%

Monthly

 

%

Monthly

 

%

Monthly

 

%

Monthly

Income

Support

Payment

 

Support

Payment

 

Support

Payment

 

Support

Payment

(more than)

 

(min)

 

 

(min)

 

 

(min)

 

 

(min)

$10,000

1.0%

$8

 

2.0%

$17

 

4.0%

$33

 

10.0%

$83

$25,000

2.0%

$42

 

3.5%

$73

 

4.5%

$94

 

10.0%

$208

$50,000

2.5%

$104

 

4.0%

$167

 

5.5%

$229

 

10.0%

$417

$75,000

3.0%

$188

 

4.5%

$281

 

6.0%

$375

 

10.0%

$625

$100,000

3.5%

$292

 

5.0%

$417

 

6.5%

$542

 

10.0%

$833

$200,000

4.0%

$667

 

5.5%

$917

 

7.0%

$1,167

 

10.0%

$1,667

$300,000

5.0%

$1,250

 

6.0%

$1,500

 

7.5%

$1,875

 

10.0%

$2,500

$400,000

6.0%

$2,000

 

7.0%

$2,333

 

8.0%

$2,667

 

10.0%

$3,333

$500,000

7.0%

$2,917

 

8.0%

$3,333

 

9.0%

$3,750

 

10.0%

$4,167

 

 Just started coming to the church?  Checking things out?  You’re encouraged to become a Basic Member by making recognizable financial contributions in addition to your attendance.  Your routine practice of helping our active community carry out its programs is greatly appreciated.  By making regular gifts, even though you may not be fully committed, you are recognized as establishing a beginning relationship with The Community Congregation.  You will receive a free subscription to our semi-monthly newsletter, be welcomed at all our member events and classes, and may freely register your children for our religious education classes.  You will gain the privileges of serving as a team leader or Trustee and participation in voting on community matters when you commit to one of the Stewardship Support levels above. 

Have you found that this church is right for you and your family?  Do you find you have been a regular worshiper or active participant in other activities for six months or more?  Do you feel welcomed, and trusting of the friends you have found here?  You will be right at home as a Supporting Member, and you will be able to participate in governance and leadership of the congregation. 

Have you been involved at TCC for five years or more?  Our expectation is that Supporting Members consistently increase giving during the first five to seven years of membership, eventually joining the circle of Sustaining Members of TCC. 

Are you fully committed to liberal religion and the empowering message of Unitarian Universalism?  Do you want to expand our services and our impact in Smithville?  We joyfully welcome your personal journey as a Promoter or Visionary. 

 

 

How to read the Stewardship Support Guideline --

Bob and Pam Jones have an annual income of about $47,100.  When they joined four years ago they made a commitment of $120/month so they would be Supporting Members and able to vote on congregational issues.  Pam Jones was recently elected a Trustee and Bob is active on the Building and Grounds Committee.  Pam and Bob have decided to increase their ongoing commitment from the current level of $145 to $200/month because their income went up a little last year, and they wish to be counted among the Sustaining Members – joining their good friends, Woody Burl and Darryl Ramirez.  

Woody and Darryl have combined incomes of $185,300 and have made a stewardship commitment of $850/month – even though they have two daughters in college, both of whom attend small private liberal arts schools.  The two families have agreed that they want to discuss the possibility of becoming Promoters after the graduation of the Ramirez children.  Both families must increase giving by about 8% each year for three years to make it happen.