WITNESS TALKS

Critical to the success of the parish stewardship effort is the visible and real commitment of the pastor.

Pastor Talks on Stewardship

Sample talks for the pastor to use and customize at various points in the commitment timeline are available for download in Microsoft Word format below.

Lay Witness Talks

Throughout history Christians have been elevated by stories of spiritual growth told by people just like them.

Lay witness talk examples for customization are available for download in Microsoft Word format below.

Preparing for Lay Witnesses

A key element of stewardship education is the testimonies presented to the parish by individuals whose hearts and lives have changed as a result of stewardship. These lay witnesses are crucial to the success of the parish effort. 

Lay witnesses send a strong message to their fellow parishioners about giving of oneself, one’s possessions and one’s time in grateful response to a provident God. People who hear that stewardship is working for fellow parishioners are motivated to bring stewardship into their own lives.

Selecting Lay Witnesses

The lay witnesses should be parishioners who match the demographics of your parish. They should believe and practice stewardship – giving of their time, talent and treasure in an intentional, planned and sacrificial way. They should also be individuals who can relate well to other parishioners, feel comfortable speaking publicly about their personal experiences and convey enthusiasm for their mission. 

A prospective lay witness may say, “Yes, I believe in giving back to God in gratitude, but I don’t want to stand up and tell everyone what I am doing because it sounds like I’m bragging about myself." The response to that person could be, “You are not bragging because you are unselfish in your giving. By sharing with us how you arrived at your decision for stewardship, you will be testifying about the Lord and inspiring others to support the Church.”

Guide for Lay Witnesses

The lay witness should visit with the pastor to discuss the best way to present the concept of stewardship and the pastor’s expectations of the stewardship effort. It would also be helpful for them to read scriptural passages about stewardship. We also recommend that they read material on stewardship included in this manual.

Prepare your personal remarks so you are comfortable with them. Use your own style, wording and delivery. Write out your talk word-for-word. We recommend using notes or key words; a scripted talk is less convincing.

The pastor, or a person designated by the pastor, should approve the lay witness talk in advance. Rehearse your talk aloud. It is best that you practice in the Church using the sound system. Be comfortable enough with your material so that you can look up from your notes and make eye contact. In a large church, remember to turn to the sides occasionally and include everyone. Above all, be sincere, enthusiastic and friendly.