Getting parishioners to sign up for cottage meetings or home visits can be tough. Check out the clever way St. James Cathedral (ECUSA) successfully addressed this challenge. (Photo: ECF Vital Practices)
Talent Show
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Lectionary Reflection
This week’s parable has me wondering how our churches and individual disciples would fare if we had a “faith and mission” version of Simon Cowell’s “Got Talent” show. How would we be judged on the use of our God-given, Spirit-fed, and Jesus-led talents? (Photo: Wikipedia)
Being Prepared: Not Just for Bridesmaids and Boy Scouts
Lectionary Reflection for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Yr A
Perhaps the point of this pesky parable is more about trying to remain alert and in the moment—even more than making sure we are prepared, right down to the last ounce of extra oil. Plus, there’s a point or two to be made about stewardship. (Photo: James Emery, Creative Commons)
The Water Cure
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for November 2, 2014 (Year One)
What will it take, I wonder, for us to be pursuaded—as Naaman—to wash in the waters of baptism daily, to die to sin regularly, and to rise to newness of life clean and whole? Can we listen to the voices of the saints who have gone before us and who have lived lives of faith in specific times and contexts? Can we hear and live into the old, old story in a new time? (Photo: J>ro, Creative Commons)
Terminology 101
Here’s a wonderful essay that defines four oft-used words in the world of congregational stewardship: “stewardship,” “tithing,” “giving,” and “annual pledge.” Reprinted from Episcopal Cafe by ECF Vital Practices, you will find the Rev. Lisa G. Fischbeck’s thoughts worth pondering and sharing. (Photo: 401K (2013), Creative Commons)
Reframed by the Holy Other
Lectionary Reflection for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Yr. A, October 19, 2014
This week’s lessons provide another opportunity to consider stewardship as being reframed and reformed by God. After all, as Jesus makes clear in the gospel lesson, eveything belongs to God anyway. (Photo: Al King, Creative Commons)
Can Fighting Poverty Make You Happy?
This was a question filmmaker Daniel Karslake asked after learning that a person dies every three seconds as a result of living in extreme poverty. The film he made as a result, Every Three Seconds, tells the story of five ordinary people who are making a real difference–and how everyone can do something. (Photo: Creativist Collective/Claire Evans, Creative Commons. Thanks!)
New Report Explores Decline in Church Giving
“The State of Church Giving through 2012: What are Christian Seminaries and Intellectuals Thinking – or Are They?” issued by Empty Tomb, an Illinois-based nonprofit that tracks church giving, suggests a different kind of pastor is needed to address giving in an age of affluence. Despite increased stewardship education in seminaries, the situation is complex and requires […]
Stewarding Relationship
Caring for one another is at once incredibly simple and achingly tiring, yet stewardship of our relationships is an integral component of any faith community. Sometimes, according to author Courtney E. Martin, we need more doing than thinking, more “bossiness” than niceties. Read her essay posted on the On Being with Krista Tippett website. (Photo: DFID, Creative Commons)
Cultivate Contentment
Without deliberately cultivating contentment, it’s tough to successfully steward and appreciate God’s abundance all around us. Check out this article from Relevant Magazine that offers five simple practices leading to greater contentment. (Photo: Rachel Sarai, Creative Commons)
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