Browsing by Rob Blezard
A Guide for Year-Round Financial Stewardship Planning
This is a comprehensive guide for your congregation’s stewardship and finance team — a 46-page resource from the Presbyterian Church USA! Just what your church needs to get started or to stay on track. (Photo © JulietPhotography – Fotolia.com)
5 Money Rules from Proverbs
RNS blogger Jana Riess has been thinking lately about what the Bible has to say about money, particularly in the advice-filled Book of Proverbs. What does the Book of Proverbs have to say about money, generosity, and wealth? Quite a bit, actually. (Photo by 401(K) 2012 Used by Creative Commons license)
Where Christians Get Environmentalism Wrong
Some Christians want to dismiss the environment as a lesser issue compared with the weightiness of the Gospel. But if the Gospel is the story of how the life, death and resurrection of Christ redeems and renews believers and all creation with them, then the proper care of the earth becomes a Gospel implication. Good […]
Slay the Debt Dragon
Is debt dragging your household down? That’s where Cherie Lowe was not long ago, but she and her family got serious and paid off $127,000 of debt in just four years. A blogger (http://www.queenoffree.net/), Cherie offers tips for how you can “Slay the Debt Dragon” in your life. (Photo by Unorthodoxy, used by Creative Commons […]
Christian Stewardship: 7 Tips for Handling Money
To be a good steward you have to recognize your relationship to things that you have. The proper relationship to things is to understand that everything belongs to God and that you have been given them to manage on God’s behalf. Here are some tips to help you put that into practice in the real […]
What Resolutions Would Jesus Make?
Now there’s nothing wrong with setting goals that will lead to positive changes in our lives, but I’ve noticed how self-centered my resolutions over the years tended to be. I resolve mostly to do things that will enrich MY life, firm up MY finances, improve MY health and promote MY happiness. Narcissistic resolutions are perfect for people of our me-first age, but methinks not so much for followers Jesus. (Photo by Erephas, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Talking to New Members about Giving
How does your congregation talk with new members about their giving? At many churches, the answer is poorly — if at all. That’s too bad, because many new members would likely appreciate some guidance about what to give. In this article stewardship expert Charles Lane offers some ideas on how to bring it up.  (Photo […]
Make a Personal Covenant to be an Earthkeeper!
So, you consider yourself an environmentalist Christian? Well, take the plunge! This personal earthkeeping covenant from Lutherans Restoring Creation will outline specific actions you can take in your daily life to be a “green” (or “greener) disciple. Why not challenge your study or youth group? )Photo by dizfunkshinal, used by creative commons license http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizfunk/)
Stewardship in the Gospel of Matthew
Perfect for your small-group ministry or Christian education class, a video and study guide that explores how Matthew’s gospel handles the issue of stewardship. Very challenging material from the Center for Faith and Giving (Disciples of Christ). (Photo © Vibe Images – Fotolia.com)
Year-end Giving Ideas and Strategies
Year-end giving marks a confluence of three basic needs — the church’s need for money, the need of taxpayers to make charitable gifts before Dec. 31 and the need of Christians to give generously. Perfect, right? Here are some good ideas from Brian Kluth’s organization that can help you along.
