About Authority…
Lectionary Reflection for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany January 29, 2012 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. –… Read more»
Estate Planning: A Key to Faithful Stewardship
An estate plan is a significant resource for a faithful Christian steward, and estate planning gives the church a tremendous opportunity to help educate parishioners about the key components of a Christian estate plan. Here are some ways to get started. (Photo by MonkeyBusinessImages, via Bigstockphoto.com.)
Household budget calculator and analyzer!
Ever wonder where your money goes and why you have so little of it left at the end of the month? You’re not alone. Household budgeting is hard, but this online calculator from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans makes it easier. Just plug in your figures and you’ll be able to see your money flow — and to plan better! (Photo by Thelatin10, via bigstockphoto.com.)
Redeeming Mammon
Click here to read Rev. Canon Dr. Peter Dominy’s fine and provocative doctoral thesis entitled De-Coding Mammon: Money in Need of Redemption. “As was already suggested by Jacques Ellul fifty years ago, I argue that money must be understood as a cosmic power to which we are all subject and which is in need of… Read more»
Poor, dumb critters!
What’s wrong with us? As a species, we persist in lifestyles that are making us stressed, fat and sick. We continue to smoke and drink. We use violence as the primary way to resolve conflict. Through overconsumption, we continue to waste resources and energy. (Photo by Treehouse 1977, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Environmental Stewardship–A Privilege
The Alabama Faith Council offers a series of action items aimed at helping people of faith and worshiping communities become better stewards of the environment. Click here for 10 steps you can take, along with a selection of useful links and tools. The AFC reminds us that “taking care of the Earth is not just… Read more»
Two-part stewardship webcast!
Stewardship expert Chick Lane talks about financial issues and raises some very challenging issues in his talk, “Discovering Stewardship,” posted as a two-part webcast for everyone’s edification. (Photo by Ximagination via Bigstockphoto.com.)
What Time Is It?
Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, January 22, 2012.
What time is it? It’s time to respond to God’s call, to turn from all that would distract and distance you, and to believe in the amazing good news. There’s no time like the present to follow Jesus. (Photo by Alan Cleaver used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Year-round stewardship plan
Download this 29-page resource today if you’re serious about energizing your stewardship all year long, instead of just a couple months in the fall. Stewardship writer Barbara Fullerton does a great job outlining how to get things going with practical tips, charts and links for further work. Written for United Church of Canada, it is still very useful for any church. (Photo by Grublee, via Bigstockphoto.com,)
Rediscovering lost values
Forget the overdone “I have a dream” speech, read a sermon by Martin Luther King in 1954, in the middle of the cold war and on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement. Hear the themes of peacemaking, justice and civil rights. While you’re there, check out the other items in the King Papers Project.
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Frugal Fun
Check out Frugal Community, a blog primarily aimed at graduate students in the Twin Cities, and originating from Luther Seminary’s Center for Stewardship Leaders. Even if you aren’t a grad student or living in Minnesota, you’ll find plenty of great tips and ideas for the fun and frugal life. (Photo by luis perez used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Ample Harvest Helps You Help Others
Calling all gardeners who have a passion for good food, fighting hunger, and stewardship: here’s a group dedicated to getting your excess food to those who need it most in the local community. Click here to learn more about ampleharvest.org and how you can become involved. Ample Harvest offers an excellent way to keep excess fresh food from going to waste by putting it into the hands who need it most. (Photo by timlewisnm used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Conversing about Stewardship
Here’s a fine resource from the Episcopal Church USA that invites worshiping communities into conversation about stewardship. Entitled Companions on the Way: Conversations on Money, Discipleship, and Stewardship, this short video features Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann and Rev. Laurel Johnston, Program Officer for Stewardship, ECUSA. Click here for more information.
Stewardship Basics
Click here to access a good resource from the Diocese of Rockville Centre Office of Parish Stewardship that provides a basic overview of stewardship principles in the form of a Q & A augmented with references from scripture. Photo by opensourceway used under Creative Commons License. Thanks.
Stewardship & Personal Responsibility
Author and financial blogger Trent Hamm reflects on the controversial phrase found on money minted in the United States: “In God we trust.” His take is that there is some personal responsibility and action involved, too. Click here to read Hamm’s thoughts. (Photo by Sh4rp_i used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
22 Stewardship preaching tips
Pastors, here’s a handy sheet you can keep on your desk while composing your sermon. The tips are brief, thoughtful and inspirational. Most of them serve as reminders of things we need to bear in mind, such as “NEVER shame people into giving. From the Diocese of Ontario, Anglican Church of Canada.
50 ways to iimprove your annual stewardship campaign
OK, so your church stewardship efforts are stuck in the rut and you need ideas? Make this resource “must reading” for your church’s stewardship and finance leaders. It’s chock full of practical, simple and readily doable tips. Click here for “50 Ways,” from the Disciples Mission Fund. (Photo by Wilhei55, used by Creative Commons license. Thank you!)
Blog Citing: Bob Sitze, ‘Simple Enough’
Stewards, you need check out this blog by Bob Sitze, longtime church worker, prolific writer and Alban Institute consultant. His blog entries deal with the important issues of life — small and grand — and always from a faithful Mainline perspective. Hosted by The Lutheran magazine.
Down-to-Earth Theology
Our planet is in deep trouble. What to do? One of the most prophetic voices in American Christian thought, Sojourners devoted an entire issue to the environment. Every article is rich, provocative, passionate and faithful. Includes essays by Ched Myers and Bill McKibben. (Photo by Larry Page, used by Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
Practicing “Thanks-Living”
Looking for a way to increase your awareness of life’s blessings and God’s many gifts? Want to be a better steward of gratitude? Click here to visit an interactive blog that promises a year’s adventure in the art of “thanks-living.” (Photo by Alice Popkorn used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
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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.
The Hows and Whys of Money Leadership
Here’s a free, seven-part curriculum for leaders who want to plumb the depths of their congregation’s financial soul.
