Laying foundations: the Case Statement
The Case Statement captures key information, structures early planning, shapes the programme and invites leadership support.
When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem he took a tour of the broken city walls to see the scale of the problem. Then he pulls the city leaders together and makes his case. First, the reality of ruined walls ruined walls. Second, a vision, a plan to change things: a rebuilding project. Third, resources: the gracious hand of God and the support of the King. The result: '“They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work” (Neh 2:17-18). It’s a simple but effective case statement in words.
The idea of a case statement is borrowed from capital fundraising where it answers three questions: What’s the need? What’s the solution? What’s the cost? In stewardship ministry things are a bit different. Our ongoing ministry needs aren’t always obvious and people don’t automatically give more just because they know there’s a need. So, we make the case for growing generosity. Our stewardship case statement is less comprehensive but borrows key insights from the capital case statement.
Building your case
Putting the case statement together isn’t complicated, but it will need teamwork - and prayer. The first step is for one person to gather the financial data and produce a Knowing our Numbers report. This is the financial reality faced by the church as it seeks to declare God’s presence with his people and resource mission and ministry.
Armed with the financial report and the case statement template the planning group will meet once or twice (more as needed) to complete a first case statement draft. The group will:
Record their shared thoughts on the financial picture painted in the Knowing our Numbers report
Reflect on the stewardship culture and practice in the church.
Review the simple, broad brush budget which reflects operational and know future costs (e.g. church repairs) and teases out ideas in circulation for new projects, new ministries.
Settle on the target for increased weekly giving and the range of giving options in the Gift Array to hit that target.
Consulting on the case
Once the planning group have agreed a draft case statement it is sent to members of the PCC and/or the church leadership team. Each leader/trustee is asked to make a personal reflection on the draft case before discussing the case statement together. Church leaders may offer comments and request revisions before settling on a final form of the case statement.
This consultation is crucial because leadership buy-in can make or break the programme. Too often, leaders approve a plan but don’t actively support it. That’s why consultation is key. It builds consensus, commitment and ownership. They are not being asked to sign off on a glossy brochure or a business plan but on a working document that focuses the giving programme and holds key information that will inform our letters, brochures and response form.
Taking the pulse
The case statement takes the pulse of church leadership. Consultation around the case helps build consensus and ownership and it listens carefully for leadership commitment, both individually and as a body.