Browsing Congregational Finance
‘Meet the Stewards’ Emphasis
Here’s a stewardship series for this fall! “Meet the Stewards” introduces your congregation to the four members of the Steward family, each of whom exemplifies a different area of stewardship. Sabbatha pays attention to Sunday worship and rest, Christian Ed, learning; Holly (who goes by “Vollyâ€), serving; and Buck, giving. Lift up one of these characters per Sunday as a way to teach lifte stewardship values.(Photo: Jarrod Doll, Creative Commons)
7 Habits of a Highly Effective Steward
Much has been written about the habits it takes to be a highly effective person, or a highly effective family or a highly effective teen. This series of seven brief reflections — which your congregation can reprint in a bulletin or newsletter — explores the habits of a highly effective steward. Since stewardship is a part of discipleship, and discipleship is a journey for each of us, we hope that these habits will help us reflect on this area of our Christian life. (Photo: Fit Approach, Creative Commons)
Tithing Flows from Prayer
Ten years ago First United Methodist church in Enderlin, North Dakota, began a process of spiritual renewal that began with prayer but also included a challenge for members to participate in an experiment involving tithing. The result was a renewed spirit and better finances. From the UMC Communications. (Photo © thitimontoyai22 – Fotolia.com)
God’s Five Investment Funds
“Your congregation can invest in eternity by using their money for God’s purposes. It is secure. It is risk free. It comes with guaranteed interest. It yields dividends forever,” writes Rick Warren in this column on Pastors.com. What are they? What do you think? (Photo © rangizzz – Fotolia.com)
‘The Church is Always Asking for Money …’
You hear the complaint time and again, “The church is always asking for money,” but that’s flat wrong! This brief essay convincingly debunks the comment as a total myth. Good reading, posted by the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. (Photo by iqoncept, via bigstockphoto.com)
Common Stewardship Pitfalls
Though many churches have no stewardship plan whatsoever, some work at it but fail time and again. Why? They focus on the wrong things, continue with ineffective strategies, fail to integrate a program with congregtional buy-in or vision — to name but a few. Here are some common mistakes. Which are your congregtaion making? How can you do better? (Photo: Eugene Zemlyanskiy, Creative Commons)
Getting Started in Stewardship Ministry
Your congregation will benefit from a blueprint for a comprehensive financial stewardship ministry that serves each participant within the congregation and community. This resource from the New Jersey Synod, ELCA, will help you chart a way forward. (Photo: Planetlight, Creative Commons)
Does Your Church Lack Financial Cred?
A study suggests that the number one reason American Christians don’t give away more money is due to a lack of trust in the in church. To respond to that, here are thirty-six questions your church should be able to answer about money. Good policy builds trust and creates an environment for generosity to flourish. […]
The Spirituality of Stewardship
Jesus talked about money a lot but his point was about a spirituality of stewardship, that is, what is our attitude toward the goods of creation. Here are the four scriptural marks of a spirituality of stewardship, from the Paulist Center Boston.
Understanding Biblical Stewardship
Though too often associated merely with money, stewardship also applies to time, talent, and treasure. But stewardship isn’t just about being a good manager of our schedules, our skills, and our stuff. The discipline of biblical stewardship calls us to use all these things in the way the Lord wants, says this article from LifeWay. […]
