Leadership and the Annual Review

In 2 Corinthians 8:16-23 we read about men of zeal and passion, appointed not as reluctant volunteers, but as 'apostles of Christ' for the 'administration of grace'. Their task: taking a financial collection to Jerusalem. For Paul, transparency, accountability and advocacy of the Gospel imperative, of the Jerusalem collection, was vital.

The priceless gift that committed leadership brings to stewardship is the modeling of ongoing personal responsibility in supporting and resourcing the ministry and mission of the church. Leaders play a key part in shaping and molding the simple expectation that money will be spoken about naturally, without apology or embarrassment, as part of the life of the church. There are routine moments in church life when money is a pulse point, reflecting the heartbeat of stewardship in the church: the Annual Meeting, the annual distribution of planned giving envelopes, or preaching the stewardship text in the lectionary. Where appropriate, opportunities for personal testimony and preaching by lay leaders should be seized upon.

• The Annual Review Document, which determines the scope and feel of the Annual Review, must be formally approved by the church leadership.
• Whether using pledges or specific financial response forms, leaders must make a personal response as an example to the congregation.
• Such modeling must counter the notion that a successful Giving in Grace means money is no longer an issue in the church and that there is no longer any need to raise the issue again.
• Leaders must ensure that leadership structures create an expectation that new leaders will embrace stewardship as a personal and corporate aspect of discipleship.
• For some churches the Annual Review will be part of the budget setting process and thus a normal part of the cycle of planning and administration of the church.