This is an example of a stewardship letter sent by two pastors to congregation members. The letter includes prayer, biblical reflection, thanksgiving, personal testimony, a bold ask and information about how to make a commitment.
The Pastoral Stewardship Letter
Dear Glenn and Rebecca,
We dare to pray this prayer with the belief that this is God’s hope for each of us, personally, and then for the work of the Incarnation congregation.
We pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen Ephesians 3:18-20
We believe that God’s Good News has changed everything and that God is transforming us and sending us, every single one of us, into the world to spread and live that Gospel-Good News. That’s what we are about at Incarnation — it is who we are. This is the ministry that our financial stewardship supports. It is at the heart of our Give to Grow stewardship emphasis.
We are thankful for your strong and faithful support to Incarnation. You are stewards who have helped this congregation make a real difference in the lives of the people that Incarnation serves in Jesus’ name. We believe, with the apostle Paul, that there is a power at work within us, as God’s people, to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. We take God at God’s word and we give thanks for you.
We are grateful for what you have already done and now we invite you to consider an increase of your financial commitment to Incarnation’s mission and ministry for the coming year. Here are some suggestions that may be of help as you pray about your response:
- Assess your giving as a percentage of your annual adjusted gross income and consider increasing your gift by 1% of your income — or whatever percentage seems appropriate and right for you.
- Consider being one of 25 families who will increase annual giving by $2,000; or
- Consider being one of 125 families who will increase annual giving by $1,000.
So that you know we are sincere in our asking you to consider this increase, the Medin and Taibl households have committed to an increase that fulfills the first two suggestions above.
You will receive a commitment card in the mail next week. Please return the commitment card at worship on Sunday, November 4. Between now and November 4, please pray for God’s work within the Incarnation faith community and within your lives as you discern the role you will play in support of this ministry.
In Christ,
Gary Medin
Sr. Pastor
Glenn Taibl
Pastor for Stewardship
Author
Glenn Taibl is a stewardship leader, a member of the Financial Stewardship Team at Luther Seminary.
