Browsing by Rob Blezard
Leading Through Change
By using principles of adaptive leadership, rather than reactive leadership, many pastors and congregational leaders are finding ways to energize, motivate and move their churches in new directions. This article, from the Reformed Church in America, gives a nice overview of adaptive leadership — and a bibliography for further reading!
Who Preaches the Stewardship Sermon?
It’s an perennial question that congregations ask — do we get an outside speaker to preach the stewardship sermon? There may be many good reasons why you’d want to get an outsider, but Gerry Rafftery of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary says there are a lot of reasons why you wouldn’t. (Photo […]
Lesson: Stewardship in Paul’s Writings
Here is a complete Christian education lesson, including a video link. Paul is very focused on partnerships and how the stewardship of the values of the Rule of God are made concrete in relationships that transform individuals and communities. From the Center for Faith and Giving. (Photo by Bobosh_T, used by Creative Commons license)
Training Tool: Effective Leadership in the Church:
It’s no secret that more than ever churches need good leadership. But how do you develop leaders? This 60-page training guide can help. Put the case studies and exercises to work in congregational retreats, staff meetings, Christian education classes and other settings.
Learning How to be Generous
“As a parish pastor, I often noted that generous people are wired differently than people who have not learned generosity,” begins Glenn Taibl in this week’s e-newsletter from the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary, Check out Glenn’s reflections, as well as the Center’s website.(Photo by danisabella, used by Creative Commons license)
A Manual for Year-Round Stewardship
Everybody knows the best stewardship efforts take place 365 days a year, and this manual is designed to help congregational leaders to formulate a vision for year-round stewardship and create a plan for implementing it. The manual gathers together some of the best resources of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Why NOT Tithe?
Through the prophet Malachi God tells faithful people to test the Almighty’s generosity by giving 10 percent. When one UCC pastor did just that, she learned that God did, indeed, throw open the gates of blessings. (Photo © thitimontoyai22 – Fotolia.com)
Taking to the Pulpit Against Climate Change
A rabbi in the politically conservative state of Kansas is going from church to church and synagogue to synagogue to bring the message that global warming is real and that God’s people need to rally to do something about it. From USA Today.
Make a Gratitude Adjustment
The science is in, according to Psychology Today, and it shows that simple exercises in gratitude can boost your overall sense of joy and wellbeing. And this article tells you how. Imagine how you can incorporate them into your devotional life! (Photo © laurent hamels – Fotolia.com)
Catholics, the Environment and Our Culture of Waste
Pope Francis has generated headlines with his outspoken comments on the dangers of consumerism and threats to our environment, but his thoughts follow other Pontiffs who have raised concerns, says this insightful article from the Catholic World Report.  (Photo © Keller, Fotolia.com)
