Can I get a Witness?*
Lectionary Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 20, 2012
You are the witnesses, and Jesus covered you in prayer. Go forth in good faith with courage to share the good news. (Photo by Ashley Campbell used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Got Life?
Lectionary Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter May 20, 2012 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may kn0w that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13 Remember the famous Got Milk ad campaign? Created in 1993 by the advertising firm Goodby… Read more»
Creation Care in Motion
Maybe your congregation has been looking for ways to join the “green revolution” and do your part for the environment. But maybe you don’t know where to start? This article will get you off square one and moving in the right direction. (Photo © Keller, Fotolia.com)
Student Debt: IN DEPTH
For years college costs rose faster than family income, and more recently states have cut back on public college funding. No wonder there’s a crisis?? The New York Times reports: Part 1 A Generation Hobbled by Student Debt Part 2: Slowly, as Student Debt Rises, Colleges Confront Costs (Photo (c) Supe87, Fotolia.com)
The Weight of the Nation
HBO is taking a hard look at the growing epidemic of obesity in a four-part documentary. It shows how two thirds of Americans are overweight, and half of them are obese — bringing with it catastrophic costs. We must do a better job being stewards of health. The good news is HBO is making this available to everybody to watch by online streaming! (Photo © saje – Fotolia.com)
We’re trashing ourselves!
“Americans generate more trash than anyone else on the planet: more than 7 pounds per person each day. And most landfill trash is made up of containers and packaging — almost all of which should be recycled.” Read more and listen to the Fresh Air interview with Edward Hume, author of Garbology.
Creation Care Sermons
Make earth stewardship a regular part of your preaching. This trove of sermons will give you inspiration and ideas for how to preach about creation care from a biblical, faithful perspective. There are links to lots more, too! From Earth Ministry. (Photo by Larry Page, used by Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Carpe Tithem: How tithing can invigorate your faith
The vast majority of people in the world cannot even imagine the standard of living that most Americans take for granted. The truth is that we are called to worship God with our wallet as well as our body, mind, spirit and heart. Following are five ways to re-imagine the tithe so that we can see it as an essential expression of the life of faith. (Great article in the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.) Photo © Pei Lin – Fotolia.com
Count the Cost: Securing Cash Assets
How secure are your congregation’s procedures and policies for handling cash assets? Click here for a comprehensive white paper from Evangelical Christian Credit Union. This guide is easily downloadable as a PDF document and would be good reading for Church Councils, Finance Committee members, and anyone responsible for handling cash assets. (Photo by Luke &… Read more»
‘Tis the Season for Gratitude
Click here to read “Easter: A Season for Gratitude” by Bruce Rockwell, posted on TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) website. This short reflection offers good questions for thought and more reasons to give thanks for our Easter “alleluias.” Photo by Olga Oslina used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!
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Help Disciples See the Connections
Here’s a lesson from Wharton management professor Adam Grant about how to increase employee productivity by fostering relationship and a sense of purpose. See the possible connections to your faith community? These techniques can just as easily be implemented to equip and inspire congregational volunteers, to increase stewardship, and to connect evangelism to everyday life. (Photo by Billy Brown used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
11 Steps to Stewardship Success!
The United Church of Christ has distilled their wisdom into snappy, easy-to-understand (and easy-to-follow up) steps. Good for a reality check or course correction, a must-read for stewardship committees and congregational leaders.
Book Review: ‘Ministry in Hard Times’
As churches struggle to survive the economic downturn, Bill Easum and Bill Tenny-Brittain offer some commonsense strategies in “Ministry in Hard Times” (Abingdon, 2010) says this short review on the Cornerstone Church Network website. “This is a book that should be read, discussed and used as a resource for pastors, finance committees, governing boards and others in leadership in a local congregation.” (Photo © James Steidl – Fotolia.com)
Financial Literacy: Pass or Fail?
Click here to visit the Enemy of Debt website and see just how financially literate you really are. While you’re there read the scary report detailing the financial illiteracy of our youth and what we can do about it. (Photo by amboo who? used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
New Giving App Aims to Change Habits
Craving that overpriced coffee drink? Give five dollars to your favorite charity using Instead, and avoid excess calories and needless consumption. Thanks to a new app now in beta testing, you can choose to be generous AND buy less. Click here to read the article from GOOD. (Photo by Denise Krebs used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Stewardship of E-Waste
Wondering what to do with those old computer towers, monitors, cell phones, and broken iPods? Click here for some helpful suggestions from the Natural Resources Defense Council. Responsible ownership also involves responsible recycling. (Photo by mosmancouncil used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Financial Basics
The world of personal finance can be confusing. What’s an annuity? How should I think about risk? What’s an IRA? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has put together a webpage with good, basic information that can help you make some smart choices. (Photo © Chris Brignell – Fotolia.com)
Biblical Stewardship Principles
Whether you are looking for material for your stewardship talk, campaign, Sunday school class or personal study, this resource is bound to inspire. This resource from the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod explores eight principles and how we can respond as disciples. There’s a leader’s guide and in versions appropriate for younger audiences. (Photo by WellfordT, via Bigstockphoto.com)
Why Nancy Sleeth Wants You to Be a Bit More Amish
In her new book, Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, More Sustainable Life (Tyndale), Nancy Sleeth invites readers to rethink their choices through the lens of simplicity, intentionality, and careful stewardship. It’s a message our consumer culture needs to hear.
Kindle a Stewardship Flame in Your Church
Check out Faith Aflame from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a free comprehensive offering with a broad assortment of downloadable resources for congregational leaders. Click here or above to explore the Faith Aflame site.
Browse the Archive
Financial Coaching for Seminarians
It’s hard enough to prepare for ministry without worry about finances in your seminary years — or how you will pay back those student loans. Here are resources to help. Click here to learn more! Click here to log-in! (Contact editor Rob Blezard)
Make it Simple
Here’s a free online stewardship planning resource from the ELCA. It will guide your congregation through all the steps of your stewardship program. From ELCA Stewardship Resources.
Kindle a Stewardship Flame in Your Church
Check out Faith Aflame from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a free comprehensive offering with a broad assortment of downloadable resources for congregational leaders. Click here or above to explore the Faith Aflame site.
