Strengthening the Witness and Service of the Whole Church
Stewardship
Stewardship is everything we do after we say I believe.
This quote of Clarence Stoughton sets forth the primary basis of our stewardship work here in the Northeastern Iowa Synod. The reality is that once one becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ, stewardship is not an option.
Our goal is to support and strengthen congregations and leaders in their life of discipleship, which includes stewardship.
Help grow future leaders in the church
H. George Anderson Northeastern Iowa Synod Fund for Leaders
The Northeastern Iowa Synod is committed to growing the number of candidates for parish ministry to fill an anticipated increase in open calls due to retiring pastors.
The H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders Endowment helps support that commitment by providing scholarships for seminarians from the Northeastern Iowa Synod.
Learn how you and your congregation can support future leaders of the church through this fund.
Visit the H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders Endowment page.
Call 319-352-1414 or email Rev. Mark A. Anderson.
Stewardship Resources
Congregational Resources
- The Practice of Stewardship — A Spiritual Discipline in Response to God’s Grace (NEW!)
- Taking the Lead in Growing Faithful Financial Stewards (NEW!)
- We don’t have to Survive to be Christians but we do have to be Generous to be Christians (New!)
- Developing a Culture of Generosity in a Congregaion (PPT) (New!)
- Where Does My Offering Go? – page 1 (poster)
- Where Does My Offering Go? – page 2 (poster)
- Stewardship Ideas
- Statement of Intent for Mission Support (2018)
- Your Congregation’s Plan for Mission Support
- Mission Support Strategy
- The Gift, Practice and Art of Generosity — A stewardship program developed by Bethlehem Lutheran, Cedar Falls
- 2017 Annual Report Cover
- ELCA Stewardship Resources
Mission Support Videos
These videos from the Northeastern Iowa Synod and the ELCA are great tools for congregations to learn and share about mission support.
Stewardship Bible Studies
The following Bible Studies offer a Bible verse, related message and discussion questions, all themed around stewardship and mission. These resources can be reprinted for use in Bible studies, church council meetings, stewardship committee projects, Stewardship Sunday education, and more.
Making a Difference
This biannual publication features the ministries of the Northeastern Iowa Synod and how congregations and individuals can support them.
Stewardship Articles
Stewardship articles featured in the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s Star newsletter may be downloaded below and reprinted for use by synod congregations and organizations, with credit to the Star newsletter.
| January | kkk | Why do congregations ask people to estimate their giving? |
| January | kkk | ‘Ventures’ workshop focuses on year-round stewardship |
| June | Farmers can support ministries, save taxes | |
| July/August | Money Leadership Classes | |
| September | Practice Being Grateful | |
| December | Gifts to Lutheran charities offer good return |
| January | kkk | Teach children about stewardship |
| February | What is a church budget? | |
| March | Personal budgeting can lead to generous giving | |
| April | Mission project targets seminarian housing | |
| May | How Mission Support is Used for Synod Ministries | |
| June | The Privilege of Sharing | |
| September | Where to Find Stewardship Resources | |
| October | Ventures in Growing Stewards | |
| November | WTS Mission Completed |
| January | kkk | The Gift of You |
| February | Ashes, ashes we all… are forgiven | |
| March | The Four Bases of Stewardship | |
| May | April showers bring May flowers | |
| June | First Fruits | |
| JulyAugust | The What? Yes, the Tithe! | |
| September | Congregations can be joyful stewards of all God’s gifts |
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| October | Rediscover Macedonia | |
| November | Noisy offerings make gift giving fun |
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| December | Synod set to receive Macedonia Project grant |
| January | kkk | Behold, I Make All Things New |
| February | Stewards of the Word | |
| March | Not Stewardship | |
| April | More/Enough | |
| May | Now the Green Blade Rises | |
| June | God is Great and Good | |
| July/Aug | Stewardship embodies giving from the heart | |
| July/Aug | Widow of Faith | |
| September | Stewardship Principles | |
| October | Blessed is the ordinary | |
| November | Look at money from God’s perspective | |
| December | The Gifts of God |
Generosity Network
The Generosity Network supports the Northeastern Iowa Synod to be a model of faithful stewards with the gifts they have been given.
Values
- All we have comes from God.
- We have enough — we have more than enough.
- Christians are generous.
Purpose
- Build an attitude of generosity — appreciation of abundance.
- Build capacity for giving (Money Leadership, Ventures).
- Build a case for ELCA congregations, and the larger church, as the recipients of this generosity.
Projects
- Teaching
- Workshops — Fall Conference, Synod Assembly
- Resource website
- Ventures and Money Leadership programs
Facilitator
Rev. Judy Converse
Synod Council Liaison
David L. Horstmann
Darwin Meyer
Consultations
Rev. Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop, is available to consult with congregations about their stewardship programs and to serve as a guest preacher.
Read his “Money in the Plate” articles every Tuesday at the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s blog, God’s Work, Our Blog.
Contact Mark at 319-352-1414 or send an email.
Giving Opportunities
Annual Fund
Gifts to the Northeastern Iowa Synod support and strengthen the ministries of the rostered leaders, congregations and partners of this synod, including youth ministry, leadership training, campus ministry, mission projects, companion synods, and more.
H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders Endowment
The H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders Endowment provides scholarships for seminary students to help with the high costs of education and to encourage new people to enter the ministry. Providing scholarships to seminary students may also attract more first call pastors to the Northeastern Iowa Synod.
Young Adults in Global Mission
The Northeastern Iowa Synod is sponsoring seven young adults who are serving in Hungary in 2016-2017 through the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. In addition, this synod encourages support for two YAGM volunteers from Northeastern Iowa who are serving in Madagascar. Congregations and individuals can support these volunteers by following their blogs, subscribing to their newsletters, writing letters, praying for them, and sponsoring them with financial support.
Bishop Crisis Fund
This special fund is used at the discretion of the Bishop to directly aid persons within the synod territory in times of need. Aid may include providing food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance, moving or transportation expenses, or other assistance to individuals and families in Northeastern Iowa.
How to Donate
Checks to support any of these ministries should be made payable to the Northeastern Iowa Synod with the memo indicating which fund you would like your gift to support.
Mail checks to the following address:
Northeastern Iowa Synod
201 20th St. SW
PO Box 804
Waverly, IA 50677-0804
Contact Us
To learn more about how to support the Northeastern Iowa Synod, call the Rev. Mark Anderson, assistant to the Bishop,
at 319-352-1414 or send an email.
The Northeastern Iowa Synod
is one of 65 synods of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.