© Forward Through the Ages: A New Stewardship Development Program
Developed by Wayne B. Clark
Three-Year Demonstration Project
Background
In some of today's healthiest congregations, stewardship is an attitude that is reflected in the way we live our lives. While fundraising emphasizes the need of the recipient, stewardship addresses our spiritual need to give. Stewardship must precede fundraising.
Healthy congregations see stewardship as a vital component of their ministry. Leaders understand that it has a definition much wider than the narrow definition of fundraising. They believe that giving is an act of worship; that giving includes the joyful sharing of gifts, call, and spiritual vocation; and that giving is an investment.
Introduction
Forward Through the Ages (FORTH) is a multiyear, systemic stewardship development program designed to promote growth and help fulfill congregational mission. There are five phases: Receiving and Accepting, Growing and Investing, Returning and Restoring, Giving Generously, and Applying Recent Learning. Each phase has five components: stewardship education, joyful giving, ministry and good works, the annual budget drive, and planned giving.
Demonstration Project
Applications are now being accepted for participation in a three-year demonstration project. Six congregations will be selected to receive three years of consultation from a UUA fundraising consultant. The consultant will guide a congregation through all phases of FORTH, helping to develop a set of best practices. The consultation will include on-site visits, telephone conference calls, and e-mail exchanges.
Congregational Costs
There is no fee for the consultation services. Congregations are asked to defray the consultant's expenses.
Application Deadline
The application deadline has been extended to March 1, 2007.
Demonstration Project Application  (in Rich Text Format) Right-click either link to save the application to your computer. Complete the form, then return to wclark@uua.org  as an email attachment.
Questions
Questions can be addressed to Wayne Clark at wclark@uua.org or 207-829-4550.
| 
