Instead, teach the congregation about proportional giving without mention of a specific monetary goal. Since these two areas are so different, it's best to emphasize them at different times of the year. Jesus spoke directly about money and ownership in 27 of the 43 parables in the Gospels. The world attempts to get in the side door of our wallets, and the church does not want to model itself after the world. Jesus spoke without apology on the subject of money, and He is our standard.
Faithful stewards are the ideal stewardship coordinators.
It is extremely important for the stewardship team to be faithful stewards themselves, as leaders cannot lead people on a journey they have not taken. Kennon Callahan, author of Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church, notes that congregational leaders are likely to respond to challenge and commitment, while the average lay person is more motivated to give out of compassion and community. Coordinating a campaign exclusively geared to one or the other set of motivators is like broadcasting radio signals on an FM bandwidth hoping someone with an AM radio will be able to pick them up. Attention-getting, informational materials are most effective. Supplement sermons and stewardship announcements with creativity, quality printed materials, drama vignettes and lay testimonies.