Stewardship Committee

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
STEWARDSHIP
A steward is one who acts as a manager or administrator of something of value (property, finances, other resources deemed to have value) on behalf of others or someone else. Stewardship is the state of being a steward. 
PURPOSE
Stewardship is how we use God’s gifts for God’s world. It is God’s world. God the Creator owns everything. We thank God for all we have received, all we are. In response to the love and freedom offered to us in Jesus Christ, we strive to be faithful stewards of all we have. We are saved by our faith, and our action is the fulfillment of that faith. “So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without action is dead.” (James 2:26) 
Through stewardship we acknowledge that the many gifts we have been given are gifts from God. The role of the Stewardship Committee is to encourage all within Orleans United to give back to God, by offering their time and talents, and by making a financial commitment to the church. While the church depends on this continued support, we also remind all that giving back to God reaps great spiritual benefits. 
MEMBERSHIP
            Chair and Vice-Chair or Co-Chairs
            Secretary
            Other members at large (6-8) 
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Stewardship Committee is responsible to the Council for: 
  • acknowledging the annual program and financial objectives, budget and resource requirement established for Orleans United Church and periodically reviewing performance to budget to identify annual stewardship program requirements for the church;
  • planning and conducting a regular awareness and education program to make the congregation aware of Orleans United Church’s program and financial objectives and to motivate them to meet these objectives;
  • working with the Finance Committee to ensue that the congregation is fully aware of the Church’s financial position and helping initiate options and innovative practices to improve the church’s offerings;
  • supporting groups within the church with interest in conducting special fundraising or time and talent initiatives;
  • supporting the Outreach Committee with requests for local programs or national or international outreach initiatives, in order to integrate their requests within an overall stewardship plan;
  • encouraging the congregation through education and the use of individual appeals and organized periodic visitations for stewardship purposes to:

    • secure their commitment and participation in the mission of the church;

  • share their gifts of time and talent and financial resources;
  • give back to God a portion of the gifts that God has given us; and
  • preparing reports to Council regularly and preparing an annual report for Orleans United Church.
LIAISON 
Two representatives are to be members of the Council, one of them being the Chair or the Co-Chair; the other one of the members at large. 
The Stewardship Committee should maintain liaison through representation on or periodic visitation with:
  • the Finance Committee regarding the setting of objectives and budget and the ongoing fiscal situation of the church;
  • the Worship Committee regarding the scheduling of the program announcements or initiatives and other events during worship services;
  • the Outreach and the Fundraising Committees regarding the integration and scheduling for the Minutes for Mission and other fundraising announcements and events; and
  • other committees and groups which have fundraising projects or a need for stewardship education.
EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS:
Members are expected to:
  • participate in 8 to 9 monthly meetings to discuss and plan potential and upcoming stewardship initiatives and programs for Orleans United;
  • actively participate in the conduct of these programs either by preparing written materials (letters and bulletin inserts) and/or by presenting materials to groups or to the congregation (announcements);
  • work on any variety of administrative tasks in support of stewardship initiatives and programs;
  • participate in and support various fundraising initiatives sponsored by other OUC groups; and
  • attend other committees and/or Council periodically to represent the Stewardship Committee.
Revised November 2006