Customer Reviews

New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program Team Member Manual: Revised Edition

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I have used Consecration Sunday in two congregations.

The strengths are many.

First, it is eminently scriptural, not legalistic (when understood and implemented in a proper spirit), and comprehensible.

It is also manageable, in that you follow the time tested steps, neither adding to or subtracting from them. You are not left wondering whether you should have thought up something else to do.

It is also additive, in that you can (and we should) repear the process, year upon year.

When fully implemented, congregation members are engaged but not overwhelmed and treated with respect in their decision making about stewardship.

I have guest-led about 30 congregations with "New Consecration Sunday," with truly amazing results. Pre-recession average: 16.8% increase. Recession years' average: 12.1%. First time commitments: 8% of pledgers, with an average $972 annual commitment! I strongly believe the Holy Spirit is using NCS to lead people to deeper discipleship decisions. The $- and %-signs certainly get our attention, but they're only symbols of people's hearts taking huge leaps of faith. Why? Because NCS emphasizes this truth: God is not needy, and His church isn't either. But we, God's people, have an innate need to be more like God...giving, sharing, passing blessings through to others. Just as we parents teach our children to share their toys and give gifts (including to us!), God has clearly taught us to share and give. We teach our children for the same reason God teaches us: we know that if they don't learn that lesson and practice it throughout life, they'll be miserable. There's a reason the word "miserable" begins with the word "miser."

God bless you, Herb Miller, for this astounding program. May it continue its service to God and His churches ever more broadly.

Skim it, then read it, then re-read it. The program makes sense and works. Resist the urge to put your own imprint on it. You won't be sorry.