“Stewardship is not mainly about fund-raising. It’s about the spiritual growth of the congregation,” said Dan McMillian, chair of the stewardship committee and member of the finance committee at Custer Road United Methodist Church.

A tour of Custer Road UMC confirms stewardship is a galvanizing force behind giving and volunteer energies in the congregation. The decisions of many individuals to give their money, time, and talents are captured in the murals that animate the walls of the nurseries, Sunday School classes, and halls. Banners for their “New Song” capital campaign joyfully announce plans for a new pipe organ and the need to expand the sanctuary to accommodate their ever-expanding choirs, including the burgeoning Revelation Choir comprised of middle and high school students.

People here are creative, busy, and energetic.

Church leaders are keeping that energy alive by constantly finding new avenues for giving, growth, and outreach. Ted Griffy, Foundation development officer, worked with them to create a permanent endowment fund as a way for members to make planned gifts dedicated to ministry.

“This church has a positive, can-do approach to stewardship. They understand both the practical and spiritual importance of a permanent endowment fund to the life of their church,” said Griffy.

“We want this endowment to be another pathway for sharing and growing in our faith. This fund widens the circle of those who can share their gifts. It’s also a clear message that we are committed to responding to the needs of this church and community for generations to come,” explained Associate Pastor Rick Enns.

The Foundation also helped Custer Road apply principles of responsible stewardship to their investment program. Dixie Williamson, investment services representative, showed them how investing in the Foundation’s Methodist Loan Fund could vastly improve the returns they were currently receiving – returns they could use for Christian witness.

In addition, Custer Road likes the connectional bond the Methodist Loan Fund offers. “Custer Road has a mission to bring Christ’s love to our local and global communities. The Methodist Loan Fund is an ideal stewardship vehicle because it offers exceptional rates that bolster and expand our local ministries and it provides construction loans for other United Methodist churches to grow and further invest in their communities,” said Enns.

Examples of beneficiaries from the interest earned on Custer Road’s MLF investment include parents of medically fragile and special needs children who can enjoy a worry-free evening out through the church’s unique Friday NITE Friends ministry, which provides medically supervised childcare at the church every Friday evening. Other avenues of giving to the Plano area include support for 31 Collin County ministries, including the Children’s Advocacy Center, Hope’s Door, and God’s Food Pantry.

“It’s especially gratifying to help a church like Custer Road increase their returns when you see those funds being used for programs like Friday NITE Friends,” said Williamson. “They are making responsible decisions about their resources and using them to live the gospel.”

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