"Do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed [How?] by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
Had a really neat conversation with one of our pastors recently that he initiated. His church has been unable to pay their apportionments...for awhile. It led into a great discussion surrounding stewardship, which is one of the larger issues. It caused me though to think about some of the ways I have had to retrain my mind over the years. Thought I'd jot down some of those various thoughts. Periodically, I might blog some more on them. On the bottom of this internet page, look for the tag, "Apportionments," as we chronicle the different articles over time.
1. "As" (my shorthand for apportionments) aren't "have-to's," they are "get-to's." We don't have to pay them, we get to. We don't have to do anything. I hate it when I catch myself, "I have to do" this or that. I'm retraining myself to always say, "I get to," no matter what it is. (e.g. "I get to preside over a funeral for a really great saint." "I get to go to the dentist." I'm still working on that one.)
2. Every "A" represents a key missional objective. If you or your church isn't motivated to pay them, then some more learning is warranted on what missional objective is behind them.
3. That missional objective then becomes the key motivator by which we can promote the "opportunity," instead of viewing it as a "conference demand."
4. When we look closely enough, we might find we agree with some. We might disagree with some. I have found I can get on board with most however, usually 99.9%.
5. If I disagree with something, my best recourse isn't to boycott paying them. I have learned it is to become a proactive voice in the process to change them.
6. Not paying "As" perpetuates a victim mindset. It is the weakest thing we can do, and rarely has any real impact.
7. If you really want to do something radical and honoring to God, become the best leader you can be and earn real influence. I would be more than happy to help any church or leader expand their lid on this.
8. Methodism represents one of the greatest resources of change on the planet. We do not have to be a passive and reluctant participant, but a proactive agent of change for the cause of Christ in the world.
9. If your church isn't currently paying them, the answer isn't to just sit there and hope no one notices. It is to begin an open conversation with your District Superintendent about growing into your opportunity. I don't expect you to instantly go from 0% to 100%, but each year we can take another significant step forward...in real influence and an effective use of your power.
10. The larger issue is "Right-sizing" (not "down-sizing") our church budgets and growing our church's level of stewardship. And again, I'd truly enjoy helping anyone do that. Stewardship started off as my least favorite thing, and now has become one of my greatest joys and privileges. Stay tuned for more of my thoughts on that.
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I have served churches that weren't paying their apportionments, but I changed that with this simple approach. I told the church that if we expected the members to pay their tithes and offerings off the top, then the church should model that by paying their apportionments first every month. I then directed the treasurer to do that. If there is a shortfall it will be in the light bill and the church always finds that money. No church is much motivated to raise apportionment money at the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteOne way I have found to grow apportionment giving is to think of the ways it comes back to my local church and to communicate that to the congregation.
ReplyDeleteHere's an example of how to communicate the rationale behind paying the Bishop's compensation: As the pastor, you are of value to the congregation, and I'm sure your congregations sees that. You need to remind your people that you didn't just magically appear at their door. Neither did they form a search committee and seek you out. The truth is, the Bishop and cabinet appointed you there. They need to understand that you were appointed, and that this could not happen without being a part of the Connection, led by the Bishop and his Cabinet.
I used this during my first year at my local church. That's a good time to do it. Now that I've been here three years I'm not sure if it would be as well received! :-)
I hate to say this, but people like to know what is in it for them. I believe we can admit that and begin where they are, and then lead them into seeing the true joy of giving of ourselves for others.