Stewardship

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men ...      It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

The Bible clearly teaches that stewardship is obedience to God, which is only possible for those walking with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.  That is why the parish establishes a Stewardship Committee to focus on the task of building people in Christian formation on a foundation of God's grace and ultimately, helping them to understand and embrace the call for all of us to return to God, what is God’s.  This formational task includes education, inspiration, and discipline.  It is important that the Stewardship Committee reflect the grace filled discipline that allows for an atmosphere that fosters the growth of God's people.

Mission Statement

The Stewardship Committee of the Ave Maria Catholic Church is to further the mission of our parish community by fostering an awareness of God’s abundant blessings in the gifts He has given each of us; and encouraging and enabling our parishioners to respond to God’s love by sharing these gifts of time, talent and treasures freely to serve Jesus Christ and to minister in His church through effective stewardship habits and practices.

Purpose

The Stewardship Committee exists to educate, motivate, and encourage the assembly of the Ave Maria Catholic Church in the biblical principles of whole life stewardship. Therefore, the committee is to be made up of those who are not primarily responsible for the financial management of the parish’s budget, but those who are passionate about growing people and extending mission.  The task of stewardship is the spiritual formation growth of the people of God, into people who reflect God's generous character.  The committee will be under the direction of a Chairperson (appointed by the Pastor) and the Pastor. 

Responsibilities: 

1. As a standing committee accountable to the pastor, parish leadership, and the parish Finance and Pastoral Councils, the committee (via its appointed Chairperson) will frequently communicate and liaison with the parish’s Finance and Pastoral Councils to determine the current fiscal needs, challenges, and potential growth of the parish.

2. Communicate whole life stewardship; that stewardship is everything we do with our lives in response to the Good News.

3. Develop a year-round emphasis on Christian stewardship through various media for all ages (e.g., bulletin or Mass announcements; diocese newspaper advertisements; mailings to parishioners; pamphlets; parish/school newsletters; Mass prayer of the faithful (general intentions); etc.)

4. Call people to the adventure of proportional giving.

5. Work with the parish leadership, and Pastoral and Finance Councils to produce a clear mission statement and then take on the task of the constant communication of that mission which will grasp parishioners’ attention and move them from the heart to action.

6. Be informed of the diocese’s available stewardship materials and other stewardship resources for parish use.

7. Present opportunities for the application of Christian stewardship in the use of time, talent and treasure.

8. Coordinate with the diocese’s Office of Planned Giving to provide an annual (as a minimum) Estate Planning Seminar for the parish.

9. Present a brief report of committee activities and plans to the regularly scheduled meetings of the Parish and Finance Councils, at least quarterly.

10. Develop programs, initiatives, etc., for welcoming new parishioners; designing creative tools which invite all parishioners (including children) to share their time, talent and treasure; and produce quality reports which accurately reflect and communicate the generosity of the parish community and the accountable use of the parish resources. 

11. Oversees the efforts of stewardship education in the parish including the annual commitment and recommitment of parishioner’s gifts.

12. Recruit individuals and/or couples to share their personal testimonies about Stewardship through Lay Witnessing.

13. In conjunction with the Coordinator of Volunteers, ensure a document is published and distributed to the parishioners identifying available ministries within the parish for them to become involved.

14. Ensure that all who come forth to offer their gifts are contacted, recorded, and thanked.

15. In conjunction with the Welcoming Committee, ensure that a welcoming program has been developed that helps new parishioners feel embraced by the parish community, provides materials to them that highlight parish life, and invites them to participate.

16. Evaluate the Stewardship educational effort and awareness on at least 6-month intervals.

17. The Chairperson will provide for in-service and continuing education opportunities for the Stewardship Committee as a whole, at least annually.

Composition of the Stewardship Committee:  Members will be:

1. Mature in their personal commitment to Christ and practicing stewards of their time, talents, treasure, and testimonies.

2. Deeply committed to the mission of the Church and regular in attendance at parish liturgies.

3. Committed to being aware of how the dollars and cents of the parish budget are a vital part of fulfilling Christ's mission.  (The task here is not to call people to support the budget per se, but to support the compelling mission of the church.  It is the mission, more than the budget that needs compelling communication.)

4. People with the spiritual gifts of love of the Church and a life of stewardship; and professional organization skills and an ability to collaborate and communicate with the other related ministries, committees, and councils of the parish and diocese.

5. Eager and open to sharing their testimonies with others, yet remain humble in their attitude toward themselves.

6. Able to work with others and open to God's direction for their lives.

Changes to and/or additions to the Stewardship Committee mission, purpose, and responsibilities will be at the sole discretion of the Pastor (whether verbally or in writing).  Resolutions to issues regarding the Stewardship Committee’s mission statement, purpose, and responsibilities will be resolved by the Pastor.