Stewardship Trends that Impact Your Development Strategy #3

John R Frank, MA, CFRE

(Over the next few eNewsletters I will share some of my observations of stewardship trends (my dissertation focus) that will affect your development strategies.)

As I continue on my topic of stewardship trends from my Doctor of Ministry-Leadership in the Emerging Culture I examined the generational shifts in views of the term stewardship and how it affects their giving.

TREND #3 – Builder, Boomer, Buster, and Bridger Age Views of Stewardship

As each generation moves through their time of biblical training, or lack thereof, the results in giving have been interesting and alarming. Allow me to share my observations of how each generation views stewardship.

Builders – Were taught to give tithes and offerings. The first 10% to the local church, then above that to parachurch ministries. They were faithful and trusted leadership. Very legalistic in terms and definitions.

Boomers – Gave to the local church more by example than pulpit teaching. But grew weary of local and denominational mandates on giving. Stewardship then expanded to include parachurch such as Focus on the Family, Youth for Christ, and local rescue mission. They could “see” their giving and it served them, (the start of narcissistic focus).

Busters – Weary of all manipulation in church asking for money. Giving to church is OK, but so is parachurch. Also believe that social, medical, and educational nonprofits are part of God’s work and need their financial support. Very little belief in the word stewardship. See it as another word for fundraising.

Bridgers (Mosiacs-Barna) – Jury and analysis still out. But indications are the narcissistic, “me-first” will continue, but so will a backlash to being more concerned with others rather than just themselves.  Stewardship of the environment will be very important to this emerging culture.

As you can see, this is the time to recapture biblical stewardship as transformational in the life a Christian.  Now is the time to study and teach stewardship as a way of life rather than a way to get money from someone.

Hope this is helpful to you in your ministry. Write me if you have more thoughts.