Browsing

The Days are Surely Coming

Reformation Day Lectionary Reflection, October 26, 2014
If nothing else, this Sunday should be a day to be unbound from fear of the future and to celebrate freedom in Christ and God’s steadfastness across the ages. Remembering can give us fuel and freedom to face the future. (Photo: Col Ford, Creative Commons)

Confession and Forgiveness

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for October 19, 2014 (Year One)
This week’s lesson is a tough one. Here are some ideas for how to broaden the context from David’s specific sin to the various corporate sins and injustices of our own age and context. (Photo: Shawn Semmler, Creative Commons)

Reframed by the Holy Other

Lectionary Reflection for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Yr. A, October 19, 2014
This week’s lessons provide another opportunity to consider stewardship as being reframed and reformed by God. After all, as Jesus makes clear in the gospel lesson, eveything belongs to God anyway. (Photo: Al King, Creative Commons)

New Report Explores Decline in Church Giving

“The State of Church Giving through 2012: What are Christian Seminaries and Intellectuals Thinking — or Are They?” issued by Empty Tomb, an Illinois-based nonprofit that tracks church giving, suggests a different kind of pastor is needed to address giving in an age of affluence. Despite increased stewardship education in seminaries, the situation is complex and requires […]

Stewarding Relationship

Caring for one another is at once incredibly simple and achingly tiring, yet stewardship of our relationships is an integral component of any faith community. Sometimes, according to author Courtney E. Martin, we need more doing than thinking, more “bossiness” than niceties. Read her essay posted on the On Being with Krista Tippett website. (Photo: DFID, Creative Commons)

Cultivate Contentment

Without deliberately cultivating contentment, it’s tough to successfully steward and appreciate God’s abundance all around us. Check out this article from Relevant Magazine that offers five simple practices leading to greater contentment. (Photo: Rachel Sarai, Creative Commons)

Host a Cool Climate Potluck in your Congregation

Here’s a wonderful toolkit from Interfaith Power and Light designed to help you start or continue a conversation about healthy food choices, environmental stewardship, and climate. The kit provides all you need to host your own event. (Photo: gina pina, Creative Commons)

Here We Stand

Narrative Lectionary Reflection Year One, October 12, 2014
Joshua 24:1-15
This lesson is equally timely for Christians today facing what Phyllis Tickle terms “the great emergence” as the church once again stands at a pivot point in its lifespan. What will you community choose? (Photo: dun_deagh, Creative Commons)

Come to the Feast

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Year A, October 12, 2014
God sets a forth a feast in three of today’s four readings, sending a message of abundance and provision. Yet how often do we seek to accept God’s blessings on our own terms and at our own convenience–often to the detriment of others? (Photo: zoe.wang, Creative Commons, Thanks!)

Commanded to be Stewards

Narrative Lectionary Year One Reflection for October 5, 2014
What fresh things can we say about the Ten Commandments? Since right relationship is at the core, how about a stewardship emphasis? It’s also close to the commemoration of St. Francis, so that also assists the stewardship theme. (Photo: Joel Kramer, Creative Commons)