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Preaching on Money
Most pastors would rather preach on almost anything besides than finances and stewardship, but as the preaching pastor, you are the chief development officer for your church. Provocative words from Ministry Matters. (Photo by Sumos, via Bigstockphoto.com)
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)
8 Reasons Why Believers Give to Your Church
If you want your church to grow, you must learn how to motivate believers to invest their resources into the kingdom for ministry and for facilities, says “Purpose-Driven Pastor” Rick Warren. It is a key responsibility of leadership. See whether Warren’s eight reasons ring true for your church. (Photo by Lisafx, via Bigstock.com)
Enough is Enough
When is enough, well, enough? Rob Dietz and Dan O’Neill have some definite ideas and suggestions. Check out this essay adapted for the New Dream Blog from their book Enough is Enough. It squares well with scriptural guidance and would make a good basis for topical study. (Photo: jakerome, Creative Commons)
Give Away Your Money, Feel Happier?
Having pots of money doesn’t necessarily make you happy, study after study has found. But giving away money — even if you’re not rich — is likely to make you feel wealthier, and thus happier, new research contends. (Photo by OpenSourceWay, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
The Problem of Wealth: Pentecost 18C
in this lectionary reflection from Lutherans Restoring Creation, Tom Mundahl handily tackles this week’s parable of the rich man and the dishonest manager, seeing it as a means of exploring the problem of wealth and embracing the gift economy. An interesting take on a hard passage.
The Prosperity Gospel Is Surprisingly Mainstream
BOOK REVIEW: In “Blessed: A history of the American Prosperity Gospel” author Kate Bowler finds there are deeper roots and wider expressionof the much-maligned “prosperity gospel.” It is an outgrowth of American optimism, says a reviewer from ChristiantityToday.com. (Photo by Sarah Reid, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
7 Important Reasons to Unplug and Find Space
Technology has some wonderful benefits. I use it almost every day. And I would never, ever argue against the responsible use of it. However, that said, it is becoming increasingly obvious that our world is developing an unhealthy attachment to it, argues Joshua Becker, who makes a compelling argument for going unplugged. (Photo by Quinn […]
The Earth is the Lord’s
We seem to have become a very possessive people, and so we feel it is our right to cut, chop, dig, blow up, hew down and sell off anything that is on “our land.†But Psalms 24: 1 challenges us: Everything belongs to the Lord, and we have no right to exploit it just for […]
The Tithe and Leadership
What plan do you have, or does your parish have, for beginning to tithe? By its nature, because of its costliness, tithing cannot begin accidentally. You begin intentionally if you begin. Here, from the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem [Pa.] are three good reasons to tithe. (Photo © thitimontoyai22 – Fotolia.com)
