Teaching about planned giving in all corners of the synod

This is the first of two columns about a two-year synodwide planned-giving initiative led by the Rev. James Leistikow. The second column will appear here in November. Pastor Leistikow can be reached at jim.leistikow@gmail.org. — editor

By the Rev. James Leistikow, ELCA planned-giving specialist

"Congregational Planned Giving Leadership - Growing Ministry in the 21st Century,” the grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, is providing an opportunity for every congregation in the Southwestern Washington Synod to expand its financial resources for current and future ministries. For the two years of this grant, the synod will be able to offer a valuable resource without cost to congregations. By participating, rostered leaders, church staffs, endowment committees, stewardship teams and church councils will all help shape how this resource is used in their own congregations.

The “Congregational Planned Giving Leadership” grant has been designed to help congregations create and strengthen their own leadership in this important area by providing teaching resources, coaching, and hands-on support in order that estate gifting directed towards the Lord’s work becomes the norm for the people of the Southwestern Washington Synod.

While teaching and training of congregational teams is the main focus, the overall strategy also recognizes the importance of “Allied Professionals” including attorneys, tax and financial advisors, as well as other trusted confidants necessary for faithful and responsible planning.
I was retained by the synod to direct this grant and have already begun the process. Early this year, introductory workshops were held in seven locations throughout our synod and included topics such as "Visioning of Future Ministries," "Planned Giving Resources Available," "Present Day Game Changers," "Planned Giving Roadblocks," and "Estate Giving as a Resource for God’s Work rather than Fund Raising."

Workshop Two was offered in the same seven locations in May and included more hands on topics such as: Planned Giving 101 featuring three most popular areas for estate gifting for ministries, "Establishing Trust and Confidentiality with Congregational Planned Giving Leaders,” “Watering the Bamboo," and "How to Invite, Encourage, and Ask Persons to Connect their Faith Journey with a Consistent Stewardship Witness."

The third workshop was offered at the synod’s “Stewardshops” this August and provided several tools for congregational use including a DVD, three Bible-study resources, a “Planned Giving Made Simple” PowerPoint designed for congregational use, and 18 best practices for congregations in the ministry of planned giving.

The fourth workshop is in January, the dates and times of which will be published here next month. The topic, “Seven P’s Minus One,” will be helpful for introducing the conversation of “Planned Giving” within households and families. Additionally, participants will begin to strategize and set a process for identifying and recruiting allied professionals in their planning process.

The gift of this grant is not only timely given the current economic climate, but more importantly, it serves as an opportunity to highlight healthy stewardship which extends beyond mere concerns for fundraising to gifting motivated by an understanding of grace and rooted in a faith that all comes from God and belongs to God.