What is a Stewardship Committee?
The Stewardship Committee fosters parish growth by promoting stewardship as an act of gratitude. It consists of diverse members with term limits who actively embody stewardship. Responsibilities include creating an annual plan with a calendar of activities, integrating stewardship into religious events, and organizing community gatherings. A Time and Talent Catalog tracks engagement, and workshops aid in gift discernment. An annual stewardship effort encourages lay testimonies and volunteer involvement. The committee ensures appreciation for volunteers, evaluates efforts annually, provides stewardship education, develops hospitality programs, and communicates initiatives while expanding outreach beyond the parish.
Who should be on the Stewardship Committee
The Stewardship Committee should be developed as a separate entity from the Finance Council and Pastoral Council, though it should maintain a connection with both. The committee should consist of three to eight members, carefully recruited by the priest rather than through an open call. The selection process should focus on influential leaders who are spiritually motivated and committed to stewardship not merely as a means to increase financial contributions or volunteer numbers, but as a way to give back in gratitude for their blessings. Membership should reflect the diversity of the parish, similar to a congressional model with term limits to ensure fresh perspectives. Committee members should be spiritually motivated, exemplify and actively live out stewardship, have a vision for how stewardship can enhance the parish, and possess personal qualities conducive to success.
Stewardship Committee Responsibilities
Annual Stewardship Plan – An annual stewardship effort encompassing time, talent, and treasure should be conducted, including lay testimonies and outreach to encourage volunteer participation. A structured annual plan is essential for effective stewardship. The committee should create a comprehensive calendar that includes religious, church, and stewardship activities throughout the entire year, not just the school year, recognizing that church engagement does not pause over the summer. Stewardship activities should be integrated into existing religious and parish events whenever possible. Additionally, the committee should organize at least four hospitality or community-focused events each year, such as coffee and donuts gatherings, newcomer welcome dinners or breakfasts, parish festivals or picnics, and other events that cultivate a strong sense of community. Once the plan is established, it should be documented and consistently followed, as consistency is key to success.
Time and Talent List or Catalog – A current and well-maintained Time and Talent List or Catalog should be maintained to track parish activities and organizations. This catalog should include a list of organizations, their leaders, ongoing activities, and who is responsible for each. It should also include records of parishioners who have volunteered, what roles they have taken on, their level of participation, and their talents or skills. This information can help identify and engage parish members who have not yet volunteered, creating new opportunities for involvement.
Stewardship Education Programs – Opportunities for discernment of Talent should be provided through workshops, Strength Finder programs, and Charism Finder assessments. Opportunities for Treasure can include Financial Peace University and Will Planning Seminars. Additionally, stewardship education should be emphasized at all levels, including leadership training for parish leaders and dedicated stewardship education programs for children and youth.
Volunteer Management and Appreciation – An active an update list of all volunteers is necessary for the growth of a parish. Understanding who has volunteered for something in the past and stewarding them to understand where there talents lie and inviting them to volunteer again. Volunteers should always be appreciated, as no one has ever left a church feeling over-thanked. Expressions of gratitude are essential to maintaining engagement and enthusiasm among parishioners.
Annual Stewardship Report – The committee should evaluate its efforts annually to ensure continued effectiveness and improvement.
Children’s Stewardship Plan – A children’s component should be incorporated into the parish’s overall stewardship efforts.
Hospitality Program – A welcoming and hospitality program should be developed to engage both new and current parish members. Communication is crucial for successful stewardship, and efforts should be widely publicized through parish literature, bulletin reflections, homily mentions, and the inclusion of stewardship themes in the Prayers of the Faithful. Finally, the committee should expand its focus beyond the parish, seeking ways to extend stewardship principles to the broader community, fostering outreach and engagement beyond the church walls.
