Giving in Grace

Giving in Grace is a new web based stewardship programme developed by the Diocese of Liverpool under the leadership of Resources Officer, Kath Rogers It helps churches address their money needs for sustaining and growing the church's ministry and also as a part of the personal discipleship for each Christian

In the last 18 months Giving in Grace has been run successfully in a wide range of churches in Liverpool and around the country, from large suburban congregations to small inner city churches and tiny rural communities. Financial blessings have been significant with churches reporting increases in giving that have transformed their finances. The first 20 churches showed an average pledged increase in giving of £1000 per month. But Giving in Grace is about ministry and changed lives not just the money that makes ministry possible. Giving in Grace is built around a number of core elements:

• Extensive preaching resources underline the key message that regular, generous and meaningful giving is a natural part of our spiritual life and part of what it means to follow Jesus. Preaching resources include material for adults, all age worship, children and teens.
• A 'case statement' document sets out the priorities for ministry in the church and costs them. .
• Written communication in letters, brochures and response forms sets out clearly the financial needs of the church.
• A concern to help people respond where they are. We cannot seek the same response from everyone because we are not all in the same position financially or spiritually to do so.

Jesus told a story of a man who discovered treasurer in a field, a treasure so valuable that he sold all that he had to buy the field – and then he had to start digging! Giving in Grace is a tool to help the church to dig for treasure; not the treasure of worldly wealth but the invaluable treasure of the kingdom of God.