#Forward through the ages series

Ministry and good works might include a series of Sunday order of service inserts highlighting successful programs and ministries. Stewardship education could include offering a money management workshop or conducting a Sunday service around the theme of gracious receiving. The phases of the stewardship program are:Ĭlark gave several examples of possible activities in the first phase of the program (Receiving and accepting). There are five phases, which could each take a year to complete, and five components in each phase. It's a multi-year, systemic stewardship development program designed to both promote growth and fulfill a congregation's mission. The Forward Through the Ages stewardship plan emphasizes the connection between spiritual stewardship and congregational mission by linking resources with current programs and ministries, and by seeking to deepen a commitment to future programs and ministries. And the way to a person's wallet, he insists, is always through the heart and soul. His rationale is that 'fundraising' emphasizes the need of the recipient, while 'stewardship' is all about the spiritual need to give. In Clark 's preferred lexicon, the canvass is the 'budget drive,' a pledge is a 'financial commitment,' a canvasser is a 'visiting steward,' and a home visit is a 'stewardship conversation.' Above all, Clark says, fundraising is stewardship. That was crystal clear in the workshop previewing his about-to-be-published book, Forward Through the Ages: A New Stewardship Development Program (due out from Beacon Press in March 2007).Ĭlark, Director of Congregational Fundraising Services for the UUA, believes that language around money should change to get rid of some very old, very negative baggage. Wayne Clark is a believer in something many Unitarian Universalists shy away from-asking for money. Wayne Clark, UUA Director of Congregational Fundraising Services Sponsor: Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Staff

Forward through the ages