‘Seize the Day!’ is a one-day offering. The emphasis is designed to focus on a “special church need or needs” and encourage members to give sacrificially to meet the need. Preparation is crucial to the success of the one-day offering. This emphasis is not designed to replace the need for an on-going stewardship plan but only to supplement the plan in meeting the specific needs as identified by you and other church leaders.
| 4 - 6 weeks before "Seize the Day!" |
Establish Goals:
- Financial Goal(s)
Set financial goals based on the project type and seek church approval in order to establish awareness and interest about the emphasis.
- Attendance Goal(s)
Seek to establish Sunday School high attendance goals for both the Sunday before ‘Seize the Day!’ and on ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday morning.
- Leadership Goal(s)
Seek to challenge every elected church leader to make a commitment to give sacrificial to the ‘Seize the Day!’ offering.
- Preparation Goal(s)
Seek to build a Preparation Group to make certain that every part of the emphasis is carried out with expediency and quality.
Enlist a Preparation Group: The preparation group should include the pastor, a spiritual emphasis leader, an office leader, and if your church has one, the minister of education. Additional persons can be added to the preparation group to provide leadership for the emphasis.
- Pastor’s Responsibility:
- Provide pulpit support.
- Encourage the Preparation Group.
- Help fine-tune the direction and goals.
- Preach on the emphasis needs for two successive Sunday’s.
- Write an article for the special newsletter or booklet.
- Spiritual Emphasis Leader:
- Send a letter to every elected leader and their spouse to encourage their participation and support of the emphasis.
- Show appreciation to them for their leadership role and ask for their support of the emphasis.
- Enlist two laypersons to share a testimony on what they plan to give to the ‘Seize the Day!’ emphasis during particular Sunday services.
- Work with the Sunday School Director in distributing the special Sunday School lesson for the emphasis two weeks before ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday
- Develop a special Sunday School emphasis to coincide with the ‘Seize the Day!’ emphasis for three straight Sunday’s.
- Have a time for special prayer concerning the special emphasis in each service throughout the focus. Call for every member to set aside a time each day to pray about their giving to the emphasis.
- Serves as the emphasis leader for ‘Seize the Day!’
- Office Leader:
- Prepare the special newsletter or booklet.
- Create special offering envelope.
- Create special commitment card (if used).
- Make copies of the special Sunday School lesson for youth and adults.
Development of Resources:
- Special Newsletter or Booklet – The purpose of this special newsletter or booklet is to present the need and appeal for participation in the ‘Seize the Day!’ emphasis. (Sample newsletters or booklets are available upon request). Suggested topics which should be included in the contents are:
- The Pastor’s Heart.
- Dream Your Plan; Plan Your Dream.
- A Call to Prayer (Bookmark).
- Together with God, We Can Make it Happen.
- Suggested Steps for Determining God’s Will.
- Calendar of Events.
- Sample Offering Envelope/Commitment Card.
- Offering Envelopes – Create a special ‘Seize the Day!’ offering envelope to be used in the emphasis.
- Commitment Card – Create a special ‘Seize the Day!’ commitment card should you decide to allow members to give their commitment over a period of time rather than just on ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday.
- Special Sunday School lesson – Make a sufficient number of copies of the ‘Seize the Day!’ special Sunday School lesson for adult and youth members.
- Theme banner – Prepare a theme banner for ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday.
| 2 Weeks before "Seize the Day!" Sunday |
Newsletter or Booklet: Mail to all church members and Sunday School members. Enclose the special offering envelope and commitment card (if used).
Testimonies: Have two laypersons share their testimonies on what they plan to give on ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday to the emphasis. The opportunity of sharing their commitment will solidify their commitment and encourage others to give sacrificially also.
Special Sunday School Lesson: Distribute the ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday School lesson to the youth and adult teachers. Teachers will study the lesson on the Wednesday two weeks before ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday.
Fellowship: Host a finger food fellowship for all elected church leaders and their spouses to show them appreciation for their service, to encourage their participation and to seek their sacrificial support of ‘Seize the Day!’
| Sunday before "Seize the Day!" Sunday |
‘Seize the Day!’ Emphasis should include:
- Pastor shares his personal giving commitment in the morning service.
- ‘Seize the Day!’ Sunday School lesson to be taught.
- Theme banner should be displayed in the worship center.
- Pastor preaches a special sermon on the Lord’s vision for our church”.
- Layperson testifies of his/her commitment in the evening service.
| On "Seize the Day!" Sunday |
‘Seize the Day!’ Events should include:
- Layperson shares testimony in the morning service.
- Pastor preaches a special sermon on the theme of “Making a Sacrificial Giving Commitment”.
- Receive ‘Seize the Day!’ special offering as a part of the invitation experience following the message of the pastor.
- Receive commitment cards as a part of the special offering should your church determine to use them as an option
- Sunday night service should be a celebration of the sacrificial commitments and gifts of His people.
- Announce total amount given and committed to date as a part of the Sunday night service.
| 1 Week after "Seize the Day!" Sunday |
Follow-up Letter: A follow-up letter mailed from the pastor and spiritual emphasis director reporting the funds and commitments made by the congregation to those not making commitments to date. An additional special envelope and commitment card should be sent with the letter to encourage them to join those who have already made their commitments.
| 2 Weeks after "Seize the Day!" Sunday |
Letter of Acknowledgment: A letter of acknowledgment mailed to all who returned their commitment card or envelope during the worship service or by mail. |