Coaching & Education

Stewardship is a year-round part of discipleship. Learn how to implement a year-round stewardship ministry in your church that will grow disciples, fully fund your ministry budget, and take the pressure off that old ‘one Sunday a year’ approach.

Typically, we bring together several local church leadership teams (a pastor and 3-5 laity) in a cohort to learn and share together during twelve monthly online meetings. As time allows and need arises, a single church leadership team can work with the facilitator, Laura Murphy.

The Year-round Stewardship program examines and discusses the theology and practical methods of stewardship. The goal is to create a culture of generosity within the congregation where the mission drives the budget, and the gifts fund the mission – with results that exceed and are more sustainable than the traditional fall stewardship campaign.

The recommended yearly Zoom cohort sessions begin every January and July. The cohort provides a shared experience that expands learning, brings in outside perspectives, and offers mutual encouragement and feedback among the participants. Churches of all sizes and from all settings are encouraged to attend!

Alternatively, your church team can sign up anytime throughout the year to be coached by Zoom or in-person through the same 12-month learning program. This option is available as the schedule allows.

Feedback from churches about their Year-round Stewardship program experience:

“The sessions have helped our church team to be more comfortable talking about money, campaigns, donor rights, giving guidelines and stewardship. We can now design financial plans for our church to move forward with a much greater understanding of what lies behind the numbers.” – Diane B. Ludwig, Court Street UMC

“Stewardship doesn’t ‘just happen!’ This cohort has given me and the Clair UMC team the tools and the inspiration we need to help stewardship ‘happen!’” – Rev. Cindy Buhman, Clair UMC

“Be prepared to have this generosity journey not only change your church, but also change you!” –Rev Lydia Istomina, Francis Street UMC

This is another 12-month learning project focused solely on legacy giving. Again, the goal is to nurture a culture of generosity, but this extends the conversation beyond general stewardship and fundraising to include end-of-life planning and leaving lasting legacies that will touch future generations. The program assists the pastor and a team of 3-5 laity to be intentional about legacy giving education, gift policies, donor relationships, and encouraging planned giving conversations. There is both a Zoom and in-person option for this program as teams meet regularly throughout the year.

putting your house in order (PYHIO) workshop

This program can be a great addition to your year-round legacy giving outreach. End-of-life planning can be emotional and difficult for individuals and families, but lack of planning causes untold heartache for too many in our congregations and communities.

This 90 minute-long workshop includes a complimentary PYHIO binder for each attendee filled with information, checklists, and easy-to-use forms for gathering all the key information and for recording – not just the facts – but participants’ intentions, hopes, and values.

These options are just for pastors. Whether your church is facing financial challenges, or you are new to ministry – or both – it can be intimidating and overwhelming to have to learn on the job about the financial side of ministry. You may just need a sounding board, some specific counsel or resources, or a connection to a colleague who has lived through similar circumstances. MUMF’s Rev. Laura Murphy is available to discuss a wide range of topics and to share her own knowledge and experience. Topics may include: the basics of church finances; building financial trust in the church; creating a culture of generosity; and exploring our own thoughts/biases around money and finances. Pastors can reach out to Laura at any time for conversation or coaching in this area or watch for a six-session program around these topics offered periodically as a cohort with other pastors.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

This workshop can be offered in person or by Zoom and is ideal for small groups, Sunday school classes and gatherings for interested adults. This brief presentation is intended to plant seeds and spur conversation around the idea of what it means to leave a legacy. Participants reflect on what is nearest and dearest to their hearts, how they may have benefitted from someone else’s legacy, and what they might wish to do for future generations.

This is a great way to help your leadership team to get familiar with and conduct an effective annual campaign – well in advance of the campaign season.

During one or two hour-long sessions we will discuss best practices for campaigns and how to discern which components work best as you tailor the campaign for your setting. We will also assist in creating a plan that will set the team up for success – not only during the campaign, but for the entire year ahead. This coaching is available for pastors and/or for stewardship teams in churches of all sizes.