Mckenna Stewardship Ministry

Time and Talent

Isn't it amazing how things rise up to fill recognized needs? Hundreds of pastors have availed themselves of the services offered by the McKenna Stewardship Ministry, and through the years we have heard a frequent refrain from them. "The Offertory increase has enabled us to do more things for the people, thank God, but how do we get more of those people involved?

Initially we felt it was not within our purview, but as we heard about people involvement and the need for ministries, and then discussed it with the Advisory Board, we saw these things were actually two sides of the same coin. We are all stewards of our time and talents just as surely as we are stewards of the income that God enables us to earn. And so, with input from pastors and witnesses, guidelines were set and we began to formulate a second aspect of the tithing program. As a result and with valuable input from a number of parishes, several years ago we began to offer the McKenna Ministry Time and Talent Program.

Some of the basics of this two-phase program are:

ť Treasure, Time and Talent are not co-equal.
ť Tithing (Treasure) is the "glue" that bonds an individual to his parish..
ť This bond increases the likelihood of greater involvement
ť Ministries (Time and Talent) solidify that bond.
ť Ministries are inspired through pastoral leadership

The First phase - The Time and Talent Presentation to a parish is done over a single weekend at all the parish Masses. The parish selects this date.

The Second phase - The follow up process is completed within three weeks.

A Time and Talent Coordinator (a selected volunteer) is typically capable of managing a project. He or she selects three key people to assist him or her. The McKenna Administrator comes to the parish to review the process with the pastor, Time and Talent Coordinator and the three key people. It is best to have this meeting at least 90 days before the weekend selected for the time and talent presentation.

Parishes where this has been done report some astonishing results. Before the program, pastors report an average of 20% to 40% of parishioners attending Mass involved in parish activities/ministries. After the first presentation of Time and Talent, they see an average increase of 15%.. After several years of alternating Tithing Updates with Time and Talent they find that each year another 15% of those parishioners attending Mass get involved in their parish.

Father Jude Salus, OSB, pastor of Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, Cedar Knolls, NJ, is most enthusiastic about his parishioner involvement. He is one of the many pastors who have had the McKenna TIME AND TALENT Program presented in his parish as well as our traditional Tithing one.

Father Jude says, "Last Saturday, a young, single mother with her little son in tow, gave me a check for $20,000. She told me her Dad passed away and left his home to her. She sold the home and wanted to give 10% back to God as her tithe of thanksgiving and to her parish family who have loved and supported her. The inspiration of the people of God constantly fills me with renewed hope and courage. God bless you all."

It's significant to note that on Notre Dame's parish bulletin there are 43 ministries listed!

Yet another pastor who views this kind of commitment to parish a kind of fall-out from the tithing mentality.

Father Daniel Kearney of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Manhattan tells us that the rate of parishioner involvement, following a single weekend introduction, went from 25 to 56%, and at St. Thomas More and St. Mary in Lake Ariel, PA, Father Edward Scott is delighted with their gratifying 12 to 35% growth in involved, active parishioners.

As all committed tithers know, tithing is most definitely not about money; it's about the suffering people of India, and Kosovo, and Mexico; it's about Eucharistic Ministers bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the homebound and to people in nursing homes; it's about teaching young people about our faith, and about RCIA, and Pre-Cana, and greeting church goers, and gracious ushering.

It's also about giving good, seeking people a share in ownership of their church, and a sense of family with the people they pray for and with each week. Tithing is about so much more than money. It is really about the sharing of who we are... all of it. Our Time and Talent as well as our Treasure.