Leadership matters
Generous giving can transform a church and its ministry. But it requires leaders to show leadership and to engage personally.
Generosity can completely change the life of a church but it has to start with leadership. If leaders - lay and ordained - aren’t out front waving the flag we can’t complain if no one follows.
Bible leaders talk money
The Bible is full of examples of leaders who talked about money and led by example: Abraham (Gen 14:17-24); Moses (Ex 35 – 36:7), Nehemiah (5,10); Paul (1 Cor 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8-9).
At a fundraiser for the building of the first Temple in Jerusalem, King David gave the ‘lead gifts’, first from the treasury and then from his personal wealth. Only then did David ask others to join in. The result: ‘The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord’ (1 Chron 29:9).
Reluctant stewards?
Fast forward to today: talking about money still makes a lot of us uncomfortable. Clergy often feel unprepared or worry about upsetting people. Lay leaders share those fears too. It’s understandable of course, but here’s the truth. Avoiding the topic of money isn’t an option. Generosity isn’t just about bills and budgets; it’s about spiritual growth. It’s as much a part of discipleship as prayer and worship.
When clergy and lay leaders engage with stewardship, giving goes up. Why? Because leadership sets the tone. If leaders treat generosity like an awkward side issue then that’s how the church will see it. But if leaders champion generosity, on Sundays, in meetings, even in casual conversations—it becomes part of the culture.
The rubber hits the road
So here are two big questions for leaders to consider:
Is generosity a real priority for our leadership team; for our PCC?
Are we willing – like David - to lead by example with an early, personal gift?
These early, personal lead gifts matter. They’re confidential of course, but as a leadership team together our early gifts send a powerful message: we believe in this, and we’re in it too. That kind of integrity inspires others to give freely and joyfully.
Bottom line: stewardship isn’t about fundraising as a necessary evil. It’s about building a community of generous disciples. And that starts with leaders who don’t just talk about generosity—they live it.
A generous community
Stewardship isn’t fundraising. It’s growing a community of generous givers. Leaders do that when the talk generosity - and walk the walk.