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Stewardship is a Self-Less Thing
16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, Lectionary Reflection
Sept. 28, 2014
This week’s epistle lesson offers a wonderful opportunity to begin a conversation about stewardship without mentioning money, much less asking for any. What are you waiting for? Start the conversation! (Photo: Ricardo Camacho, Creative Commons)
Prosperity and Punishment
Narrative Lectionary for September 21, 2014, Genesis 39:1-23
Stewardship is not about prosperity as we define it today but is more about prospering in place—flourishing in good soil or amongst the cracks and pieces of broken pavement and shattered dreams. With God all things are possible. With God there is always abundance. Stewardship is how we live in and care for this abundance. (Photo: rennett stowe, Creative Commons)
The Problem with Generosity
Lectionary Reflection, 16th Sunday After Pentecost, Year A.
Is a gift really a gift if it comes with strings attached, such as restrictions on how it can be used? Unfortunately, that’s the way many churches receive contributions in our North American context. Where does this come from, and how can we confront it? (Photo by Stewardship–Transforming Generosity, used by Creative Commons license)
Last-Minute Stewardship Ideas
Although there is not sufficient time left in the year to plan and execute a comprehensive stewardship campaign, you can still get your congregation thoughtfully praying about and wrestling with matters of financial stewardship. All it takes is some creativity, effort and hard work. This PDF document details four doable ideas you can put in place this year. (Photo © mtkang – Fotolia.com)
‘Embrace Generosity’ Stewardship Emphasis
Here’s a complete stewardship emphasis guide for your congregation to put to use this fall. Embrace Generosity is a five week program of study, sermons, worship guides, handouts and more. Can’t put it to use this year? Bookmark it for next year and get going early! (Photo by Gayle Nicholson, used by Creative Commons license.)
Forgiveness and Sending
Lectionary Reflections for Sunday, September 14, 2014 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Forgiveness as a Mark of Christian Community Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘ Not seven times, […]
10 Things You Should Know About Online Giving
Wanting to get started with online giving in your congregation? Be sure to download and read this handy guide from serviceU. It offers 10 considerations plus five books all pastors should read. Click the title to be redirected to the free PDF. (Photo: Creative Commons)
Basic Guide to Congregational Endowments
Looking for a basic guide to begin planning an endowment fund for your congregation? Download this free 42-page PDF from Thrivent and the InFaith Community Foundation. It has plenty of good material to get you started. (Photo: Raul Hernandez Gonzalez, Creative Commons)
A Debt of Love and Loving Covenant
Lectionary Reflections for Sunday, September 7, 2014
Whether you’re looking at love and reconciliation with the RCL lessons or God’s covenant with Noah and all creation, we have sermon starters, worship ideas, and suggestions for time with youth and children. Beginning this week, we’ll be looking at both the Revised Common and Narrative Lectionaries. (Photo: Marcelino Repayla Jr., Creative Commons)
Spin Doctors or Cross Bearers?
12th Sunday after Pentecost Year A, August 31, 2014
We are called into a way of life that runs counter to everything the world tells us is worth having and doing and being. We are invited into community, splashed with water and word, filled with Spirit breath, and gifted to give and give and give some more. And that life is good–very, very good. (Photo by Leland Francisco, used by Creative Commons license)
