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Principles and Practices of Year-Round Stewardship
Creating and keeping a dynamic stewardship focus can be a daunting challenge for the church staff, especially if the staff is one bivocational pastor. Where do you start and how do you maintain? The California Southern Baptist Convention has some ideas. ((Photo © a_korn – Fotolia.com)
Is the Internet Hurting Religion?
A new paper draws an intriguing conclusion to a question scholars have wrestled with for several decades: Why are Americans dropping out of church? One reason? They’re logging on to the Internet, Religion News Service reports. What are the implications for your congregation?
10 Reasons for Online Giving
Churches are jumping on the online giving trend in record numbers. Most find it a safe and efficient way to help their members with consistent stewardship. Has your church started offering it yet? From Lifeway.com. (Photo by Jhaymesisviphotography, used by Creative Commons license
Prayers to Care for Creation
Perfect for planning a worship that celebrates God’s creation, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has assembled prayers appropriate for that occasion, as well as lists of Scripture readings from both the Hebrew Bible and New Testaments. (Photo © Keller, Fotolia.com)
Transparency, Trust & Treasure
A recent study suggests that American Christians don’t give away more money because they lack trust in the church. In response, here are 36 questions your church should be able to answer about money. Good policy builds trust and creates an environment for generosity to flourish. (Photo by Mark Willylis, used by Creative Commons license)
Pope Francis on Environmentalism
No surprise that Pope Francis, who has renewed Christian concern for the poor, also has deep concern for the environment. Here, from Catholic Climate Covenant, is a wide assortment of Pope Francis’ teachings on the environment. (Photo by Semilla Luz, used by Creative Commons license)
Holy Humor and the Stewardship of 1/2 Price Easter Candy
Wondering what to do with leftover Easter candy? Want to take advantage of the “day after” candy sales AND express sound theology? Consider an Easter Monday party to celebrate God’s last laugh. It’s a fun tradition and good stewardship, too. (Photo: audrey, Creative Commons)
Developing a Theology of Stewardship
Clear thinking and sound assumptions are musts in order to foster a climate of generosity in your congregation. This brief article from the United Methodist Church will help you head down the right road. (Photo by ThrasherDave, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
What if Everybody Tithed?
As a whole, American Christians give about 2.5 percent of their income to churches — lower than even during the Great Depression, when they gave 3.3 percent. And yet churches are still able to teach the ignorant, feed the hungry and care for the least among us. Imagine what we could do if every churchgoer […]
A Lens of Generosity
Four simple questions — incorporated into your everyday life — can give you “A Lens of Generosity” through which to recognize God at work all around you all the time. From the United Church of Canada, which includes a handy sheet to photocopy and help you spread the practice to everyone. (Photo © David2223, used […]
