Sermon reflections written by Dave Hopwood. Dave Hopwood has been a freelance bible communicator for 30 years, performing, speaking and writing, using films and stories to communicate Bible stories in an accessible way. Dave's reflections arise from his recent exploration of Ruth at the wonderful Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. Check out Dave’s website at davehopwood.com. 

Sermon reflections written by Dave Hopwood. Dave Hopwood has been a freelance bible communicator for 30 years, performing, speaking and writing, using films and stories to communicate Bible stories in an accessible way. Dave's reflections arise from his recent exploration of Ruth at the wonderful Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. Check out Dave’s website at davehopwood.com. 

Sermon reflections written by Dave Hopwood. Dave Hopwood has been a freelance bible communicator for 30 years, performing, speaking and writing, using films and stories to communicate Bible stories in an accessible way. Dave's reflections arise from his recent exploration of Ruth at the wonderful Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. Check out Dave’s website at davehopwood.com. 

Sermon reflections written by Dave Hopwood. Dave Hopwood has been a freelance bible communicator for 30 years, performing, speaking and writing, using films and stories to communicate Bible stories in an accessible way. Dave's reflections arise from his recent exploration of Ruth at the wonderful Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. Check out Dave’s website at davehopwood.com. 

In the Bible financial giving and the worship of God’s people go hand in hand. It is in prayer that Jesus becomes Lord of our money and possessions. It is in prayer that we acknowledge God as owner and giver of all we have.

The thanksgiving service marks the close of the Giving in Grace programme and strengthens the connection of our giving and our worship and our life together as generous disciples

Making our Will is an act of loving wisdom which protects those we love. Leaving a gift in our will is a blessing our church and it’s ministry. Legacies are gifts of life and love.

The Parish Giving Scheme is the best way to give regularly to the life and ministry of our church. If it is not available or not possible there are other tools which can help us do the job.

The Parish Giving Scheme is the best, most efficient and effective way to give to our local church and to help us grow and mature in generous giving.

Some response forms will request information. Responding well is more than a simple transaction. Like a garden in spring, we need to be organised for growing generosity, for new life

Our response forms are not a financial transaction. They are part of discipleship. We want to grow the giver, not just get the gift. We’re giving for life and responding well means being organised. It’s a personal touch and warm appreciation, underwritten by decent administration.

There’s a date to return response forms in the clergy ask letter. Once it has passed by a few days, a gentle reminder can be sent in the same spirit as the first ask letter. Encouraging folk to bring their piece of the jigsaw; is all.

As response forms are returned the first task is to write a letter of thanks, witing a week. We are saying thank you for the gift. We are saying thank you for the giver.

A small planning group is vital in creating the case statement, planning and delivering a programme and as champions and advocates of bible based stewardship ministry.

Response forms are a simple but effective way to help us add our piece of the giving jigsaw. They help translate our intention into action and we can request additional information, where appropriate.

The Code of Fundraising Practice keeps our givers, and our churches safe from failures in conduct and practice. Read how it applies here

Our preaching speaks of what God has done in Jesus and invites a discipleship response. Our letters make a personal ask for a prayerful and careful review of giving and a personal response appropriate to circumstances.

The brochure is a multipurpose tool, the Swiss army knife of your programme literature. A single unifying document carrying several messages.

Surely if people see the need or the opportunity the money will there? Sadly, not so much. Stewardship means asking.

Stewardship means asking - and thanking. We think we thank enough. Not so much. Our appreciation matters more than we think.