Browsing by Rob Blezard
Talk About Money (when not asking for it)
There is a deep hunger in our culture for honest talk about money and faith. The best wayis to talk about money whenever you can — and not ask for it, argues stewardship writer Grace Duddy Pomroy. From the Center for Stewardship Leaders.
Reignite Your Passion for Ministry
Passion energizes life and turns the impossible into possible. If you don’t have any passion in your life, ministry will become boring, dull, routine, monotonous. God made you to live passionately and to serve God and God’s people with vitality, vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm. Here are some tips for reigniting passion from Pastors.com. (Photo: Andrii […]
Embracing Electronic Giving
Electronic giving is the preferred method of giving for a majority of church members, according to a recent study. In other settings, people have developed habits of giving that rely on e-giving methods. Many of our congregations, however, haven’t yet responded to these changes, says Luther Seminary’s Adam J. Copeland.
Stewardship of Time Bible Study
For many Americans, time is their commodity most in demand and in shortest supply! This wonderful lesson plan explores a number of Bible passages about time. Plenty for a Christian educator to use to craft anything from a Temple Talk to an all-day workshop! From the Center for Baptist Studies. (Photo: Robert van der Steeg, […]
The Spiritual Practice of Generosity
If generosity is how we honor and express human value, than any act of kindness counts in the bigger picture. We can all be kind. We can all be generous. This is one of the key teachings of all the world’s religions. So we decided to look into our databases of quotes collected from our reading and see what teachers of our times and earlier ones have said about the spiritual practice of generosity. Read this assortment of quotes and observations, share them, and make them a part of your own development. (Photo: Bert Haymans, Creative Commons)
Say an Eco-Prayer
Eco-Prayer is a website with a simple idea: “Choose one place, plant or animal that you love that is Local to your home and one that is distant or global. Each Day pray with positive intention for what you love and the entire Ecosystem that supports it.” Check it out!
iPad Giving Station Increases Engagement
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Roberts, Wis., looked at digitial giving options and decided to go with an iPad giving station. Now 8 percent of its offerings are received that way. Read about their experience. From the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary. (Photo: Creativity 103, Creative Commons)
The Official Stewardship ‘Don’t Panic Kit’
If your church is at sixes and sevens when it comes to stewardship, it’s definitely not alone! The important thing is to keep your heads, trust in God, and make a plan! This free resource from the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has some great ideas, as well as helpful links! (Photo: Techme Slowly, Creative Commons)
Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church
In the competitive world of nonprofit funding, church leaders have an advantage capturing the hearts and minds of people to support ministry. Why? Because we often see them face-to-face. How are we doing at creating a culture of giving when our people are present? Here are tips from the Mennonite Church USA. (Photo: ThrasherDave, Creative […]
Giving Thought to a Narrative Budget
There’s another way besides a line-item budget to present your congregation’s proposed annual spending plan. A Narrative Budget tells the story of how your church practices good stewardship of the gifts entrusted to it. It provides a vision of where the church hopes to be in the coming budget cycle. It reflects how the congregation spends its time, talent, and treasure rather than paying the bills.Check out this free 12-page resource. (Photo: Rob Nguyen, Creative Commons)
