How to Establish a Successful
Stewardship Program

Contact your local diocese to obtain a
Parish Stewardship Kit or download these resources

STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM

a) Preparing leadership support

1) Parish priest and Executive Board (or Board of Trustees) must lead by example

b) Preparing the parish for a stewardship progra

1) Small group gatherings, i.e., at Bible studies, the parish choir, the Women's Auxiliary
(KSS)

2) Distribution of printed material to the parish introducing stewardship and explaining it
from a Christian perspective

3) Sample sermons

4) Hosting outside speakers

c) Educating the Executive Board on the importance of switching from a "dues system" to a
Stewardship program

d) Selecting a target date to start

e) Administrative considerations in implementing a stewardship program

1) Sample letters
a') Introducing stewardship to the parish for the first time
b') Welcoming letter
c') Explanation of what counts toward one's pledge
d') Acknowledging the pledge
e') Kickoff letter for subsequent years
2) Selecting individual weekly offering envelopes
3) Record keeping procedures
4) Selecting computer software: "Deacon" or "Excel"
5) Importance of confidentiality

f) National Stewardship Committee

g) Links to Other Orthodox stewardship resources
1) Serbian Orthodox Churches
a') St. Sava Serbian Church, Seattle , Washington
b') St. Basil of Ostrog Serbian Church , Lake Forest , Illinois
2) Other Orthodox Christian jurisdictions
a') Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
b') Orthodox Church of America