Congregational Will Planning Presentation

Contact your local deferred WELS Christian giving counselor to present to your congregation about how to write or revise a will to reflect Christian values while providing for family and the Lord’s work. Participants will also have the opportunity to schedule a private consultation with the counselor for free assistance with completing the process. Once the presentation is scheduled, the following resources are available for promoting it. (Click the large “DOWNLOAD” button at the bottom right to download a folder of all these resources at once.)

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2023

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Christian Giving Now and for the Future

In his Word, our Lord provides timeless motivation and instruction about giving thanks with our offerings for all that he does for us—particularly for the salvation that Jesus won for us—yet there have been many helpful changes in ways that we can give that are worth discussing. The “offering plate” might look a lot different today for many people who offer gifts of assets or use a variety of electronic options. Congregations are also discovering how teaching members about planned giving now will help them support Christ’s church a generation or two down the road. These options not only allow us to give to the Lord but to save on taxes and support our families. This presentation, originally given at the 2023 WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership, reviews today’s giving opportunities and methods in the light of Christ’s unchanging Scriptures.

Stewardship Toolbox – January 2023

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – November 2022

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – September 2022

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – July 2022

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – May 2022

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2022

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – January 2022

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – November 2021

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Congregation Mission Offerings

Stewardship Toolbox – September 2021

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – July 2021

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – May 2021

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2021

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – January 2021

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – November 2020

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – September 2020

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – July 2020

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – May 2020

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Online Donation Platforms

Congregations are increasingly seeking out options for online giving to meet the preferences of members across generations. Here are some helpful resources.

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2020

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

WELS Statistical Report 2019

Stewardship Toolbox – January 2020

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – November 2019

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – September 2019

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – July 2019

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – May 2019

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2019

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – January 2019

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

WELS Statistical Report 2018

Stewardship Toolbox – November 2018

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving articles are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – September 2018

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving articles are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Mission Festival Resources

Stewardship Toolbox – July 2018

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving articles are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

For anybody 70.5 years or older, an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a great option for making gifts to the Lord’s work at church, a local WELS-affiliated ministry, and/or a WELS area of ministry.

Typically IRA distributions are taxable, but, for anyone 70.5 or older, qualified distributions from an IRA to charity are free from federal and potentially state income tax. Consider directing IRA distributions to WELS to save on taxes, then using the cash you would have given for other needs. The rollover to charity counts toward satisfying the required minimum distribution. (Those required to make minimum distributions include anyone age 73 as of January 1, 2023 or who had been required to start making minimum distributions in the past.)

You and your spouse, assuming he or she is 70.5 years or older and has an IRA, may each make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year to charity. Rather than being treated as taxable income, direct transfers to charity are wholly excluded for federal income tax purposes. These transfers do not generate a charitable deduction, but the relief from tax impact is often more advantageous. Consult your tax or financial advisor to determine the most appropriate gift assets for your situation.

You can also make a QCD of up to $50,000 (out of the $100,000 overall annual limit) into a charitable gift annuity in one calendar year. You and your spouse can each distribute up to $50,000 from your IRAs in one year for a CGA (maximum $100,000). A CGA provides you and/or your spouse with fixed quarterly payments for life. Then, after the donor goes to heaven, the remainder of the gift goes to the ministries you choose. Consult your tax or financial advisor to determine how appropriate this option may be for you.

Contact the investment firm that handles your IRA to request a direct transfer of IRA assets to a WELS ministry. The custodian typically provides the appropriate paperwork (or you can download an authorization letter template below). To ensure that your IRA distribution is not taxable, the check must be made payable to the charity, not to you personally.

You can give to multiple WELS ministries by directing your IRA distribution to WELS Foundation. WELS Foundation will distribute funds to the ministries per your instructions and provide you with the proper gift acknowledgment letter.

If interested, talk to your financial planners and your local WELS Christian giving counselor to learn more.

Stewardship Toolbox – May 2018

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving articles are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2018

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

WELS Statistical Report 2017

Stewardship Toolbox – January 2018

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – November 2017

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – September 2017

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Mission and Ministry Sunday – General

Stewardship Toolbox – July 2017

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Stewardship Toolbox – May 2017

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.

Joyful Generosity

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16). God abundantly blesses us and wants us to use those blessings to his glory. So how does this look in our daily lives? This program of worship, Bible study, and personal devotion will guide followers of Christ through the Bible’s clear teachings on the management of our possessions.

 

Previous Stewardship Programs

WELS Statistical Report 2016

Stewardship Toolbox – March 2017

Mission prayers ask God’s blessings on different areas of WELS ministry.

Planned giving reprintables are intended to encourage members about good stewardship practices and to inform them about ways to make planned gifts to benefit your church and other WELS ministry.

Stewardship by the Lectionary is stewardship-themed lessons every week based on readings from the lectionary.