You hear the complaint time and again, “The church is always asking for money,” but that’s flat wrong! This brief essay convincingly debunks the comment as a total myth. Good reading, posted by the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. (Photo by iqoncept, via bigstockphoto.com)
Though many churches have no stewardship plan whatsoever, some work at it but fail time and again. Why? They focus on the wrong things, continue with ineffective strategies, fail to integrate a program with congregtional buy-in or vision — to name but a few. Here are some common mistakes. Which are your congregtaion making? How can you do better? (Photo: Eugene Zemlyanskiy, Creative Commons)
Your congregation will benefit from a blueprint for a comprehensive financial stewardship ministry that serves each participant within the congregation and community. This resource from the New Jersey Synod, ELCA, will help you chart a way forward. (Photo: Planetlight, Creative Commons)
A study suggests that the number one reason American Christians don’t give away more money is due to a lack of trust in the in church. To respond to that, here are thirty-six questions your church should be able to answer about money. Good policy builds trust and creates an environment for generosity to flourish. […]
Jesus talked about money a lot but his point was about a spirituality of stewardship, that is, what is our attitude toward the goods of creation. Here are the four scriptural marks of a spirituality of stewardship, from the Paulist Center Boston.
Though too often associated merely with money, stewardship also applies to time, talent, and treasure. But stewardship isn’t just about being a good manager of our schedules, our skills, and our stuff. The discipline of biblical stewardship calls us to use all these things in the way the Lord wants, says this article from LifeWay. […]
Many churches find that it’s easier and quicker to use credit cards for business purchases than other pyament methods, but there are cautions and drawbacks. Wise administrators should be aware of these and establish policies accordingly, says this article from LifeWay.
Do you know that 60 percent of Americans die without leaving a will? Creating and promoting a Wills Emphasis Program in the local congregation opens an important avenue for members and friends to leave a lasting legacy of their faith. Free 12-page guide from the Presbyterian Foundation.
The tithe as a spiritual discipline is vastly underappreciated by modern Christians. I believe that if we boldly reintroduce the challenge to tithe, personally embrace the conviction of its worth, and then do it, we will provide abundant resources for God’s work in the world as well as invigorate our experience of life in Christ.
“Why is stewardship so stinking difficult?” That’s a question you hear many congregational leaders ask, and it’s also a chapter in the new resource offered by Charles R. Lane and Grace Duddy Pomroy. “Embracing Stewardship” addresses that age-old question by offering both a solid theoretical/theological grounding and practical, down-to-earth approaches for making stewardship an everyday part of a congregation’s life together. An accessible, affordable resource.
