Reflections on "Let's Make a Deal"

I'm not sure it was the best theological analysis of stewardship, but I found it fascinating to consider stewardship in the context of the 21st century. I probably need to do some more reflecting on how the church can utilize technology in the area of giving. Left untouched in the sermon are at least these issues:

Is it appropriate to offer people the ability to pay through credit cards when credit card debt is a major problem in our society?

If we emphasize flash giving (immediate gifts sent to help with different crises in the world), how does that dilute or enhance the regular giving?

I think that pointing out how using automatic payments can help a person become a patterned giver was helpful, but who do we deal with the fact that it removes us from the ritual of actually writing the check or presenting the check (or money) in the offering plate (See Dave Conover's post from last week)?

I did not even get into the use of passive fundraising such as having members use their Kroger gift cards or scan their Meijer's or Wal-Mart cards to show they are linked to our church. it's an easy way for the church to earn money, but how does that impact our theology of stewardship?

Lots left unsaid, but you can look below to see what was said!

Introduction:

Move 1: 21st Century innovations

a. New techniques for the technologically adept.

1.Website

a. Requests

b. Provide info

c. Portal for payment.

2. email usage

3.Electronic fund transfers

4.On-line giving: Paypal and credit card giving

b. Expanded opportunities for giving.

c.Changing profile of givers.

1.Wealthy population changing.

2.A more mobile population of all ages, combined with out-migration from smaller towns and rural areas, and more frequent “caravanning” among retirement aged adults, may continue to diminish the appeal and incidence of place based giving.

d. Examples

1.Kiva loans: Kiva was founded in October 2005 by Matt Flannery and Jessica Jackley.[8]

Kiva allows microfinance institutions around the world, called "Field Partners", to post profiles of qualified local entrepreneurs on its website, www.kiva.org. Lenders browse and choose an entrepreneur they wish to fund. As the loan is repaid, the Kiva lenders can withdraw their principal or re-loan it to another entrepreneur.

Lenders' funds are transferred to Kiva through PayPal, which does not collect its usual fees in this case.[4] It is possible to pay by credit card through PayPal's website, even without a PayPal account, but a PayPal account is needed to withdraw funds.[5] Field Partners charge interest to their borrowers, although Kiva claims to keep track of how much interest is charged and will not work with those charging unfair interest rates.[6] Kiva lenders do not receive any interest because they are not registered as a broker with the US government.
As of September 19, 2010, Kiva has distributed $160,822,200 in loans from 757,183 lenders. A total of 220,977 loans have been funded. The average loan size is $382.77. Its current repayment rate is 98.90%.[1]  wikipedia
2. Flash Giving: Giving triggered by a national or international disaster. Donors often give on the Internet, collectively giving large amounts in a short period of time. Flash giving– triggered by international conflict, famine, natural disasters, all unfolded instantaneously by the media – has the potential to engage and empower many donors; may be the entry point of primary mode of giving for many donors.
Move 2: Response to the changing expectations and technology.

a. Utilize our technology

1.Web-site -- we have a web-site, but there are no giving opportunities available, except to link to the pcusa.org website for giving opportunities.

2.Bank -- we put the burden on members to set up automatic payments; we do not have automatic withdrawal capabilities yet.

b. Provide flash giving opportunities

1.PDA -- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance offers an immediate way for Presbyterians to donate to crises around the world, with the assurance that PDA, which has been in disaster business for many years, is shepherding the money to the right places.

2.Endowment Fund -- our Endowment Fund sets aside dollars each year to send to PDA when disasters occur in the world.

c.Interpretation

1.SDOP -- Self Development of People has been doing microfinance loans for years.

2.OGHS -- One Great Hour of Sharing supports the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which in essence has been offering flash giving for years.


Move 3: Faith perspective still matters

a. Part of our discipleship
1.Sandy McConnell: “We need to give back to God more than the church needs our money

2.“What % of my income is God calling me to give?”

3. Not a church budget question, but a discipleship question.

b. Teach becoming a patterned giver.
1.Some people see making a commitment or a pledge as tying them down.
2.Frees us to not worry about remembering or are you doing enough.

3.After you have have prayerfully been guided by God in making your commitment, you are done.

c.Debunk the idea that our giving is an attempt to get God to respond.

1. If we give the right amount, God will reward us.

2. Sort of, let's make a deal.

2. Exodus – whose hearts will prompt them to give.

Conclusion: Whether the 21st century or first century or in the Israelite's time, the question of stewrdship comes down to what will your heart prompt you to give?