Best Practices in Parish Stewardship

by Charles Zech

Overview

Based on a survey of stewardship parishes across the country, this is the most comprehensive analysis of both financial and non-financial stewardship activities ever published. Author Charles E. Zech explores more than just the impact of stewardship on parish income -- he also analyzes time and talent contributions, measuring everything from volunteer activity to Mass attendance to outreach programs such as prison ministries or soup kitchen sponsorship. Activities that have a direct impact on stewardship, including community-building endeavors, financial accountability and transparency, and parish communications, are also examined.

Get ideas, confirmation, and results by understanding what works and doesn't work at stewardship parishes across the country. Every parish can benefit from this insightful study and learn how to approach stewardship in exciting, productive, and faith-building ways.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612782157
Publisher:	Our Sunday Visitor, Publishing Division
Publication date:	09/16/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	134
File size:	2 MB

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 9 The Meaning of Stewardship 10 The Plan of This Book 14 References 17 Chapter 2 Previous Studies 19 Qualitative Studies 19 Patrick McNamara 19 Paul Wilkes 21 Justin Clements 23 Quantitative Studies 25 Stewardship Measures 28 A Word about Statistics 31 References 33 Chapter 3 Parish Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics 35 General Characteristics 37 Age Profile 38 Life-Cycle Theory 38 Generational-Cohort Theory 39 Socioeconomic Characteristics 41 Ethnicity 43 Summary 43 References 44 Chapter 4 The Role of the Stewardship Council 45 Membership 46 Survey Findings 48 Summary 51 References 52 Chapter 5 Lay Witnesses 53 Who Should Serve as a Lay Witness? 55 When Should Lay Witness Talks Occur? 57 Summary 58 References 59 Chapter 6 Other Parish Stewardship Activities 61 Homilies 61 Ministry Fairs and Commitment Sunday 64 Support of Time and Talent 66 Gift Discernment 66 Ministry Commissioning 68 Ministry Appreciation Dinner 68 Parish Planning 69 Summary 70 References 71 Chapter 7 Parish Formation and Education Programs 73 Youth Programs 74 Adult Programs 77 Summary 79 References 80 Chapter 8 Parish Teachings on Parishioners' Level of Support Decisions 81 Tithing 81 Pledging 84 Survey Findings 86 Summary 88 Reference 89 Chapter 9 Parish Welcoming and Community-Building Activities 91 Welcoming Activities 96 Community-Building Activities 97 Summary 98 References 98 Chapter 10 Communications on Stewardship 101 Communications to Focus Attention on Stewardship 102 Communications to Spotlight Contributions of Time and Talent 105 Summary 107 Reference 108 Chapter 11 Financial Accountability and Transparency 109 Stewardship in the Parish House 109 Approaches to FinancialAccountability and Transparency 114 Summary 117 References 118 Chapter 12 Eight Things That Parishes Can Do to Advance Stewardship 119 Best Practices in Parish Stewardship 120 Summary 124