December 26
The Tsunami: One year later. It was a year ago this week that a mammoth tsunami swallowed thousands of villages in the Indian Ocean. The ELCA has a number of resources to help your congregation remember and stay involved in the recover. Click here for a press release. Click here for a page that provides links to resources, including bulletin inserts and an online giving source.

We are God's helpers in generosity. "I so wanted my children to think well of Santa. This whole question of being fair begs the larger question. What do I say to my children about God? When some have so much and others have so little, what do I say? Will they stop believing or simply see how unfair God is?" Click here for Pastor Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Christmas every day. "Underlying the holiday rush and the frenzy of socializing and commercializing, the arrival of Peace, Light and Word defines the reality that makes Christmas special. We remember again our existential condition: We are a people in darkness, surrounded by violence, without hope."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard, from last week's edition of SOLI/Update, our free email newsletter.

New Year's resolutions that actually work. "I truly believe that a new year is the best opportunity for self-examination and change. However, I have witnessed many people set health and weight loss goals in January only to have them fail and fall by the wayside weeks or a few months later. "  Click here for "New Year's Resolutions, from The Christian Post.

Top 10 Stories of 2005 What a year it was for people of faith. Check out this listing of the Top 10 Stories according to one of the nation's top Christian magazines Click here for "Top 10 Stories," from Christianity Today.

The gift beyond words: John Larsson, Salvation Army
"At the first Christmas there was no disappointment. As the day dawned, the gift arrived just as the prophets had said it would. But not only did the gift arrive. To those with the eyes of faith the gift exceeded all expectation. Not in their wildest imagination had their hearers thought that the promises would be fulfilled in the way they were." Click here for the message by Gen. John Larsson, international leader of the Salvation Army.

December 19
The one reason to withhold giving" Rumor has it that in a local congregation people are withholding their pledges as a vote of no confidence against the pastor.  And others have been withholding their giving to synods because of political reasons. I must admit that there have been times when I considered giving less because I didn't like how a particular church spent its money." Click here for Pastor Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Fight the real 'War on Christmas'" The real War on Christmas is not whether "Merry Christmas" gets edged out of the crass commercial marketplace, those houses of material worship where people spend way too much money on stuff they really don't need. The real War on Christmas is the growing reality in the culture that the shopping and the decorations and the over-consumption is actually the major part of the celebration of Christmas."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard, from last week's edition of SOLI/Update, our free email newsletter.

December 12
A Presence Even Greater Than Santa. A sappy Christmas show gave the Rev. Dana Reardon the idea it might be great if we treated people so well that they suspected we were really Santa in plain clothes. "But then I realized that it  would actually be a giant step down from what people are supposed to think when we have been a part of their lives in any way." Click here for Pastor Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Put on the pounds where they count most. "It's a shame that a growing number of people are hungry even in the richest and most powerful country the world has ever known. The question is why? The reasons are complex, but many advocates point to the skyrocketing cost of housing, the jump in fuel prices and the general flatlining of wages for average working families even as net income for the wealthiest continues to rise."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard, from last week's edition of SOLI/Update, our free email newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Sermon: Letter from the Devil  This creative sermon takes a humorous look at a serious topic: What the devil thinks of stewardship. "If there's one thing the Devil doesn't want, it's a congregation with a strong, expanding heart." By the Rev. Ken Wyneken, pastor of King of Kings Lutheran Church, LCMS, Renton, WA. Click here for "Letter from the Devil."

December 5
Retirement and the Kingdom of God . "I don't have to be a good steward.  And I don't have to tithe. I don't have to take care of my neighbor. So now, what should I do today?  I get bored really fast if I don't do anything."  Click here for The Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Let's Stop Responding to the Past. We don't give to the church because of what God has already given us, argues Hank Langknecht, but rather because of our expectations of God's future. "What my heart says is that my stuff is mine. I worked for it -- or my folks worked for it and I inherited it. Regardless, it is mine. Click here for "Let's Stop Responding to the Past," a new addition to the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives.

Real gifts: Gifts that fill a need. Salvation Army is just one of thousands of extremely worthy Christian charities who have miniscule overhead and who wring every single penny of value from the dollars they receive. Their work serves the poorest of the poor in our society, helping them to heat their homes, clothe their children, feed their families, train for jobs and free themselves from the bondage of booze or drugs." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

When the Holidays Hurt: 10 ways to cope with loss "For many people, the holidays are a traditional time of happiness and festivity. However, for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the holidays are a time of mixed emotions. There can be pleasure, but there is also much pain, because the season magnifies the sense of loss." Great advice for individuals or congregational leaders whose parishioners suffer the holiday blues. Click here for "When the Holidays Hurt." From Today's Christian magazine.

November 28
Biblically based principles turn dollars into sense An irony: that we work hard to get dollars and then have to be saved from them! Lest our dollars - and the possessions they buy -should possess us, why not turn dollars into sense? A sense, that is, of personal, congregational, and churchwide mission." Good stewardship tips from a pastor. Click here for "Biblically based principles," a new addition to the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives.

Holiday presents (and presence) that honor Christ."As Christians we are not called to separate ourselves from this world even when it gets hard to be Christian in the midst of secular materialistic values.  We are called to be in this world and yet not of this world.  I believe that we are called to continue to celebrate Christmas in a way that honors the birth of new hope for this world." Click here for The Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Alternative Gifts Catalog It's an annual ritual: Tearing your hair out looking for a gift for someone who already has everything. This year, why not donate to a worthy cause in the name of someone on your gift list? The Lutheran church has a catalog of choices -- from disaster relief to seminarian scholarships to funding new churches. Click here for the ELCA Good Gifts catalog, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

This Thanksgiving, practice giving thanks Visit just about any other country on the planet and one truth will surely jump out at you: Americans have SO MUCH to be thankful for. So how do we observe a day to give thanks for all we have? Incredibly, it's by sitting down at a big dinner and having even more than usual."Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Pass the peace of Christ this Advent "Christ willingly offers Himself to us to offer us a peace that is beyond comprehension, but nonetheless real.  It is a peace that increases with sharing rather than dissipating. It is a little like the loaves and fishes.  Broken and blessed, the peace of Christ abounds when it is shared." Click here for "Pass the peace of Christ," an inspiring essay from the archives of Dana Reardon's weekly reflection.

November 21
Thanksgiving resources galore. Since gratitude is an essential component of stewardship, this week is important. To help make Thursday more than turkey and football, our friends at the United Methodist Church have compiled an amazing assortment of resources -- liturgies, creative ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving in home and church, essays, inspiration. Just about anything you could imagine. Click here for Thanksgiving resources, from the UMC's General Board of Discipleship.

Thanks for volunteers who serve without strings "As Christians and volunteers, we often show up and announce what we are willing to do in a situation that calls for our help.  And if we are asked to volunteer we have a preconceived idea of what we are willing to do. But the Lord's work continues to be done, and done more effectively if we are willing to look for the need and plug ourselves in."  Click here for The Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

For parents! 13 creative ways to encourage gratefulness this Thanksgiving. Children need to be taught gratitude -- just like adults! Here are a baker's dozen of fun ideas for helping the people of your family to learn about gratitude this Thanksgiving. Click here for "13 Creative ways," from Christian Parenting Today magazine. (Check out other Thanksgiving resources from Christianity Today: Click here.)

Happy birthday! A website turns 3. Three years ago this month the Stewardship of Life Institute began its website as a way to inspire, challenge and equip Christians to see stewardship beyond financial support of the church; to embrace stewardship key discipline in our walk of faith, a way of seeing the world. What you think of the website and what we can do to make it better? Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Talking turkey about Thanksgiving Subtitled, "We need a gratitude adjustment," this article calls on our culture to get serious about giving thanks: "There's a problem with Thanksgiving. Celebrating an 'official' day compartmentalizes gratitude. The truth is that gratitude is the right attitude every day." Click here for "Talking turkey," from   The Lutheran magazine.

November 14
Douglas John Hall: Stewardship of the Mysteries of God In this second talk given last month at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, Douglas John Hall looks at the strengths of Mainline theologies against the rise of the newer biblicistic and fundamentalistic strains of Christianity that our Reformation forebears would neither recognize nor endorse. Insightful and prophetic, must reading for Mainline Protestant leaders. Click here for "Stewardship of the Mysteries of God. (PDF file requires Adobe Reader.)
Click here for Hall's address, "Steward as a Human Vocation," featured last week.

Hunger no more: Faces behind the facts. Look for this documentary at noon Sunday, Nov. 20, on the Hallmark Channel. Produced by Mennonite Media in partnership with the National Council of Churches, this film not only looks at the problem of persistent hunger, it also offers solutions! Great material for study group or workshop.  Click here for information on "Hunger no more," including how to order a copy on video or DVD or to access free study guides.

A divine mission and a necessity for survival. Addressing the classic theological question of human purpose, Douglas John Hall suggests that today's times demand a sharp, precise answer: "The chief end of a human being is to be God's faithful steward in a profoundly threatened creation." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard, from last week's edition of SOLI/Update, our free email newsletter. Click hereto subscribe.

Sermon! Consecrate: Set aside for God. "Contrary to popular opinion, pastors don’t enjoy preaching about money. They would rather preach about God’s love and grace and the spiritual resources that come from God that help us live from day to day. That is why I appreciate the approach of the Consecration Sunday program." By The Rev. Daniel Mangler, pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Estes Park, Colo. Click here for "Consecrate."

November 7
Douglas John Hall: Stewardship as a Human Vocation. With the world facing crises on many fronts, now more than ever it is time for people of faith to embrace their God-ordained vocations as stewards. From Douglas John Hall, one of North America's most prophetic theologian, an essay given as a lecture last month at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. Click here for "Stewardship as a Human Vocation. (PDF file requires Adobe Reader.)

God's earth is sacred "We have listened to a false gospel that we continue to live out in our daily habits -- a gospel that proclaims that God cares for the salvation of humans only and that our human calling is to exploit Earth for our own ends alone. This false gospel still finds its proud preachers and continues to capture its adherents among emboldened political leaders and policy makers." So says an open letter from the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States. Click here for "God's earth is sacred.

The inspired colors of God's Kingdom.  "The Beatitudes are like a coloring book designed by Jesus.  He draws us a picture of what God's Kingdom looks like -- where those who mourn will rejoice and those who are meek will find a place and the poor will have enough.  And then we get to color this picture and make it come alive with the inspiration of the Spirit." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Good Stewardship Begins with the Pastor. "Like any top executive in a successful corporation, the pastor must be willing to put forth time and effort far beyond what he or she expects of his or her people. The pastor sets the standard and the tone. If a pastor is not willing to make some sacrifices, he or she should find another less demanding profession. It’s that simple." By Robert Zimmer. Click here for "Good Stewardship." From the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives.

Two principles for faithful stewarding. "Exactly what does it mean to be the steward of what God has given us personally and collectively? And just what is required? Theological debates on stewardship pivot on these  questions, and two key principles can guide us: accountability and responsibility. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard, from last week's edition of SOLI/Update, our free email newsletter.

October 31
A full life in God's Technicolor. "The concept of eternal life is not just a linear thing in that it never ends.  It is also a qualitative thing.  God gives us life in living color.  There is depth to the pain and the joy.  There is a richness to the textures and the sounds and the smells." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Being in harmony with nature. This message from the Rev. Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA reflects on the nature of God's Trinitarian life in relationship to the wonder of creation. Click here for "Being in harmony with nature," from the Episcopal Church's Environmental Stewardship page.

Can your church afford to ignore energy costs? " How much did your congregation pay for heating last winter? Now add 50 percent and you'll get a rough idea of how much it will likely cost this year, according to energy experts. Where will the extra money come from? What programs or ministries might you trim to pay for heat?" Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard, from last week's edition of SOLI/Update, our free email newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Digging Deeper: Money and Your Heart.  Why is it harder for a rich person to go to heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? This piece from Moody Magazine offers some valuable insights. "Money can make it hard for an independently minded person to admit his need and dependently trust Christ for eternal salvation." Click here for "Digging Deeper," from the archives of Moody Magazine. This week's Treasure Chest offering.

When you're looking for God's provision. The "Purpose-Driven Pastor" Rick Warren says God will meet all our needs, but not all our greeds. "As a parent, do you give your kids everything they want? I hope you don't. You don't do that because you love them. And your heavenly Father loves you. He's not going to give you everything you want because if he did, you'd be spoiled to death." Interesting reading. Click here for "God's provision," from Pastors.com.

October 24
Just in time for heating season! Become an ' Energy Star' congregation. Experts say heating costs this winter will skyrocket -- an additional 48 percent for users of natural gas! So, pastor, how will your congregation absorb an increase like that? What programs and ministries might you cut? The good news is you can save some of those precious dollars by outfitting your church to conserve energy. Energy Star is a government program to help people and institutions cut down on energy use.  Click here to learn about Energy Star congregations. Look for the free guide to energy efficiency. Click here for Energy Star's free 86-page guide for congregations, "Putting Energy into Stewardship.
Here is another resource on congregational energy saving: New church is Earth-friendly, East Valley Tribune, Ariz.

God wants us to care - and share! If we worry so much about taking care of our own needs we will never have enough to take care of our neighbor.  We should never be so worried about out own welfare that we don't have enough to take care of our neighbors." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Stewardship of public resources. "Mainstream church leaders around the country are urging Congress to find other ways to pay for the Gulf Coast rebuilding besides cutting Food Stamps, health care and other important safety net programs that help working families, retirees and disabled citizens get by." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

October 17
Tony Campolo: Prophetic talk about hurricanes. "Since the hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast, we’ve seen a wide array of religious pundits of all faiths making absurd pronouncements about the cause of these catastrophes. ... When I hear such things, I am convinced that religious leaders who make such statements do more to drive people away from God than do all the arguments and attacks of atheists." Click here for this essay by Tony Campolo, one of the world's leading preachers. Check out more writings or his talks at www.tonycampolo.org.

Environmental wager. Why Evangelicals are -- but shouldn't be -- cool to global warming," this essay by CT columnist Andy Crouch speaks plain sense about a complex topic. "The theory is taken for granted by nearly every scientist working in the field. But because it is difficult to confirm experimentally, a few vocal skeptics continue to raise pointed questions. The skeptics find a ready audience among evangelical Christians." Click here for "Environmental wager," from Christianity Today.

Stewardship of your life - now more than ever. "I'm no fan of the 'end-times' craze, which seems more hype and fear-mongering than Gospel and trust-in-God, but I have to admit the disasters sure have been piling up like cars in a rush-hour collision. Are we living in the end times? Maybe. But that's never the big question for a Christian. The big question we each must ask is, "If Christ came tomorrow, would I be ready?" Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Plan for unplanned relief contributions. "Is there no end to the things to which I am asked to respond?  Is there no end to the needs of this world? If I don't budget for things they do seem much more relentless and never-ending." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

October 10
Best stewardship practices of congregations. Wouldn't you love to know what makes congregations successful at stewardship? If so, this resource is for you. The ELCA surveyed experts from around the country and distilled their wisdom into a concise guide.  Click here for "Best stewardship." From The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (PDF download requires Adobe Reader. Click here for free download of Adobe Reader.)

Signs of faith in red ink. "I see a deficit budget as a sign of faith.  It means that the church is stretching itself to do what it feels called by God to do and it knows that God will be with them and help them to grow in numbers and grow in their generosity in response to all that God has given them." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

What would Jesus do about poverty? Whatever your understanding of  why people are poor, the fact is that millions of desperate, impoverished people live in our backyard. The more important question for people of faith is what should be our response to people in need? What does our God command us? This is where Love for the Poor can help. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

The ecological disconnect (or) what keeps us from responding. You hear the lament from many pastors and congregational leaders, "We can't get people interested in environmental stewardship!" This article explores some of the main reasons why, as well as suggestions for overcoming them. Click here for "The ecological disconnect," published in a newsletter of the Church of the Brethren.

October 3
Free booklet: 'Love for the Poor'. Here is a great resource for personal devotion, sermon preparation or education -- a booklet looking at the biblical and theological understandings of poverty and how it informs our response to it. The book is ecumenical in outlook and prophetic in its vision. Click here for "Love for the Poor." From The National Council of Churches USA. (PDF download requires Adobe Reader. Click here for free download of Adobe Reader.)
Who benefits most when we give generously? "I believe Jesus is calling my congregation - and all of us - to tithe and more.  I believe Jesus is calling us them lives of incredible generosity.  And Jesus is calling them to it for the same reason I am: For their sake.  There is incredible joy in a life of generosity." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Re-teaching 6 principles of Christian giving. This article provides good, practical inspiration for any stewardship purpose -- personal devotion, your latest stewardship sermon, a workshop on giving or a letter to go out with the latest budget appeal. Click here for "Re-teaching 6 principles," from ChurchCentral.com.

Count your everyday blessings The coffee has just finished brewing, and the aroma stirs me from my computer desk. Slinking back to work with a hot cup of coffee and a crisp new apple I realize how good I have it simply to be safe, well-fed, dry, and at home in my modest house -- one half of a cramped 80-year-old duplex with peeling paint."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

An Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation. This resource is a must-read for Christians or congregations not convinced it's part of our stewardship duties to care for the environment. The declaration lays the biblical and theological foundation for environmental stewardship, as well as a call to action. Click here for "Evangelical Declaration," produced by the Evangelical Environmental Network.

Sermon: The Kingdom's cost/benefit ratio. " What happens when we take the world's common tool for evaluating worth and apply it to things of faith? Well, it gets interesting, as you can read in this sermon. Click here for "The Kingdom's cost/benefit ratio" By the Rev. Daniel Mangler, pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Estes Park, CO.
 
Sept. 26
Ideas for preaching on stewardship. Most pastors face it every year: What to do about a stewardship sermon? It has to be Biblical, thoughtful and motivating. Here are some suggestions -- texts and thoughts for two series of sermons on stewardship. Of course, any one of the sermons would stand on its own. Click here for "Ideas." From Lifeway Ministries.

The antidote for 'compassion fatigue'. "Sometimes we see problems that are too big for our resources, and we know we cannot manage. But for those of us who are Christian there is always another way to look at it. Our call is not to fix everything. Our call is not to make things right. Our call is to care and to share and to be the hands of Christ in the world." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Three faces of greed. "Sin typically cloaks itself in some story or rationalization that mitigates or hides our wrongdoing from ourselves," says author W. Jay Wood, in this brilliant essay. So it is with greed -- arguably America's most insidious weakness. "How we camouflage greed depends on the particular species of greed to which we're tempted." Read this essay for insights, including "when good stewardship is bad." Click here for Three faces of greed, from Christianity Today .

Sept. 19
Online book: Tithing is Christian. Call this a two-fer: It's an exploration of stewardship in the Bible and a guide to implementing a "Tithing is Christian" stewardship campaign in your congregation, including suggested leadership structure, timetable and materials. Written by Elmer Towns of Liberty University, it's from a Baptist perspective and readily adaptable.   Click here for "Tithing is Christian." (PDF document requires Adobe Reader. Click here for a free download.)
F.A.Q.: Wealth, giving and tithing.  The questions from the congregation arise right after your stewardship sermon: "Is being rich a sin?" "Does God favor the poor?" "What does it mean, God owns everything?" Fortunately, the folks at Generous Giving have answered a these and compiled them in an exhaustive "Frequently Asked Questions" file. You might have to adapt them a little to fit your own denomination's theology, but they are thoughtful and interesting. Click here for "F.A.Q."

A little child shall lead them. "The young girl was there to ask if she could organize fund-raisers for Katrina victims.  She wanted to have a bake sale and a car wash and she was full of excitement and ideas." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

The root of real contentment. "Culture shock was waiting for me when I got off the plane in Atlanta after nine days in El Salvador. Not just the glitzy airport that doubled as posh shopping mall, and not just the ubiquitous advertisements for the high-income traveling public, but mostly the general demeanor of the people at home: Nobody seemed happy."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Sept. 12
Tools for a healthy congregation. Here is a great website devoted to helping congregations improve in three areas -- becoming more faithful, welcoming and generous. Check out the interactive diagnostic questionnaire on each of those sections. It includes suggested resources and links to help in areas of growth.  Click here for "Tools for a healthy congregation." From the ELCA.

The collection for the saints of New Orleans. "Whatever our political persuasion, we are all doing  whatever we can to help.  I can argue all I want about what the government should be doing, but if I have money in the bank that my brother or sister in need can be cared for with, then it rightly belongs to them." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Getting rid of all the 'crap' . "Crap. Not just the kids’ stuff – the nonstop accumulation of toys and stuffed animals that overflow from toy bins, under beds and closets. The adult stuff – like the kitchen gadgets that clutter the counter, the cleaning stuff overflowing from under the kitchen sink, the tools in the garage, the yard stuff all over the lawn, the deck furniture, the CDs and electronic do-dads, and on and on."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

The Hows and Whys of Money Leadership. Wow! Here's a free, seven-part curriculum for leaders who want to plumb the depths of their congregation's financial soul. It covers attitudes about money, congregational finances, leadership, money and theology and other topics. A real gem for congregations that find themselves stuck and don't know how to get going. It was developed cooperatively by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Alban Institute and Lilly Endowment.   Click here for "The Hows and Whys of Money Leadership." This week's Treasure Chest offering.

Sept. 5
Eight ways congregations raise pledges. If you're looking for a way to increase giving at your church (and what leader is not?), here's an article for you! This piece looks at the strengths of eight pledge-raising approaches in order to help churches find the one that best fits their own situation. Good reading for the stewardship novice and seasoned hand alike. Click here for "Eight ways." From the Alban Institute's Congregational Resource Center.

Love for God and neighbor are interconnected.  "Last Sunday before church someone asked me to add something to the prayers of the people.  She asked me to pray for the people of New Orleans and all of the areas affected by the coming hurricane.  I really appreciated the reminder.  I was not aware that Katrina had been upgraded and was looking so dangerous." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Sermon: Living by faith." The greatest challenge to sacrificial giving is that it is totally alien to our western culture in which we live, where there is such an emphasis on materialism and the outward signs of success." So says this challenging and inspiring sermon given by a British pastor whose observations apply to Americans as well. Click here for "Living by faith," from The Church of England's Stewardship Resources.

Poor, dumb critters "As a species, we persist in lifestyles that are making us stressed, fat and sick. We continue to smoke and drink. We glorify empty sex lives that are anti-family, anti-marriage and spread dangerous diseases. We use violence as the primary way to resolve conflict. Through overconsumption, we continue to waste resources and energy."  Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Leading the way. Here's a story about a church in Oregon that spent $92,000 to install solar panels that can provide for up to a third of the congregation's energy consumption. The campaign to raise money for the project was entitled "Rays ‘N the Roof." Very clever. Great reading for a congregation serious about saving energy. Click here for "Leading the way." From the Corvallis (Ore.) Gazette-Times.

Stewardship, faith and life. "Although we profess a wider understanding of stewardship, we have allowed it to be primarily focused on the giving of money. Even when we add time and talent to our discussion, the message we hear is related to money. We need to focus on the 'need of the giver to give' versus the 'need of the institution to receive.'"   Click here for "Stewardship , faith and life," by Duane Englehardt. Part of the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives.

Aug. 29
Raising our children as good stewards. "If children grow up knowing that they are loved so unconditionally by God that He would die for them and that this love extends to all people, then we might give them some of the skills for how to respond to that love. But we need to fear competition from others who may teach the skills better. Our young people will learn from us best by how we live out that love." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Not guilt. Not shame. Gratitude!   "Are you rich? When you ponder that question, you probably do what I do -- think of friends and family who are better off and say, 'Who, me? I'm not rich!' But when you look from the other end of the telescope, at those who have less, a different picture emerges. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Aug. 22
How rich are you? Having trouble keeping up with the Joneses? The Global Rich List may be able to provide you with some comfort. On this site, you can tell how you keep up with the Joneses worldwide. Just key in your annual earnings (make sure it's expressed in dollars) and viola! Use it as a congregational conversation starter! Click here for Global Rich List.

Holy Spirit drives a program forward."Homeless people and those receiving welfare can get all the job training and all the help with dealing with issues of addiction -- or whatever contributed to their situation -- but getting and keeping a job in our society without a car is becoming harder and harder.  Bus routes dwindle because most of us have access to transportation." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Sharing God's Planet Wow! Here's a free resource you -- and your congrergation -- can really sink your teeth into! It's a 72-page PDF report outlining the challenges facing the our world's environment today, how our Christian faith calls us to think about these challenges and how we can meet them. Meticulously researched and well written.  Click here for "Sharing God's Planet," from The Church of England. Episcopal Life. (PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Fresh, tasty and good for you. "Fresh vegetables \ and fruit have lots of nutrients, low fat and not too many calories. That's a welcome change for our culture, where collectively we have an awful diet that makes us heavy and unhealthy. Americans are officially the fattest people on the planet, with 65 percent of our adults overweight, and 30 percent so overweight they are obese. Experts point to lots of reasons, but the basic one is this: We eat too much." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

A Shower of blessings stewardship thrust. "What can we do to motivate members about their response to God's blessings?" That was the question stewards from Grace Lutheran Church, ELCA, Eau Claire, Wis., asked. The answer is this full stewardship program. Click here for "A shower of blessings," part of the archives of the Association of Lutheran Resource Centers.

Aug. 15
Not pushed, but empowered by love. "But at its heart, stewardship does not flow out of oughts or shoulds, or even the best of advice. It flows out of the outpoured love of God. It flows in grateful response to the incredible gifts that we have given." Click here for Pastor Dana Reardon's weekly column.

Stewardship Bible study This Bible study is designed for use on Stewardship Sunday, but of course you can use it anytime you deem appropriate. The study examines II Cor. 8 and 9, when the Apostle Paul is giving advice on giving and generosity. Click here for "Stewardship Bible study," from Pastor Edward Marquart's Sermons from Seattle.

Searching for the real IT Spiritual emptiness. It's the human race's number one problem. But in the United States spiritual emptiness takes on an ironic expression because as a nation we are wealthy enough and educated enough to have multiple options for almost everything - and we often choose the one that will give us spiritual emptiness." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Greening the church. Churches are waking up to the realities of environmental stewardship -- and taking their responsibilities seriously. That is part of the message you'll read in this article in Episcopal Life magazine, which details the growing trend in that denomination. Click here for "Greening the church, from Episcopal Life.

Zacchaeus: Patron saint of stewards. "Zacchaeus did not promise to read scripture more faithfully nor to attend the synagogue more regularly. On this occasion he was not pledging his time or his talent to the programmatic mission of the faith community. Worthy as those are -- and necessary for the life of the people of God -- this visit was about something else. This commitment was to re-order his financial priorities and his stewardship of material things." Click here for "Zacchaeus."  It is part of the Lutheran Laity Movement Archives.

Aug. 8
17 Steps. Here is a good guide for church stewardship leaders and pastors alike. It's a handy list that covers the basics of stewardship.   Click here for "17 Steps." Adapted from the larger book "Step by step: Fostering financial stewardship in your congregation," which is available for free in PDF format. Click here for "Step by step." Part of ELCA Stewardship Resources.

When you're looking for God's financial provision. By RICK WARREN: "God is staking his character and his reputation on it. 'I will meet your needs.'  ... Why is it that you have financial needs? Why do so many believers struggle in this area? We all know people who are believers who have financial needs. Did God fail?  Did he lie? Exaggerate?" Click here for "When you're looking for God's financial provision," from Pastors.com.

Stewardship of the Gospel. If the Gospel is the food that provides spiritual nourishment, then churches are like restaurants where people come for refreshment. Those of us in Mainline churches can ask ourselves why our patrons are leaving even though Americans are dying of spiritual starvation and finding all sorts of ways to satisfy their hunger." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Climate change and the unraveling of creation. By BILL McKIBBEN: "We are engaged in the swift and systematic decreation of the planet we were born onto. And does God look at our actions and pronounce them good? I doubt it. Forget the sterile debates about whether we were given dominion over his planet. Grant that we were. The question is, what have we done with that dominion?" Click here for "Climate change," from Religion On-line.

Can stewardship be more inviting? "All stewardship talk which begins with money starts at the wrong place. The place to begin meaningful stewardship conversation is with the concept of freedom.  ... God’s love is freely given to us simply because we are God’s children, simply because God loves us apart from our worthiness or unworthiness. When we learn this truth and appropriate it at the center of our being, then we are truly free." Click here for "Can stewardship be more inviting?"  The essay is by Prof. William O. Avery of Gettysburg Seminary.

Aug. 1
Do no harm, but do make an impact. As Christians, we may not talk about zero impact as we strive to be good stewards.  That is okay, because in another sense we strive for maximum impact. We want to do as much with what God has given us for the good of God's people. Click here for Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

When enough is enough: Why God's abundant life won't fit in a shopping cart, and other mysteries. It is not buying but shopping that captures the spirit of consumerism. Buying is certainly an important part of consumerism, but buying brings a temporary halt to the restlessness that typifies it. It is this restlessness—the moving on to shopping for something else no matter what one has just purchased—that sets the spiritual tone for consumerism." Click here for "When enough is enough," from Sojourners.

Not a hand-out, a hand-up "Grove Church bought a run-down three-bedroom house for $50,000, spent $15,000 on renovations, and now rents it for $650 a month to 33-year-old Samara Parker, a schoolteacher who is raising two kids by herself.  Here’s the genius of the plan: After two years, the church will rebate Parker’s total rent of $15,600 to go towards a down-payment on a home of her own. Then Grove Church will rent the house to somebody else who will build up money for a down-payment." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Green building and remodeling Building and remodeling projects usually bring with them both challenges and opportunities. The challenges are often related to finances and design issues. Among the exciting opportunities, these projects can help members to demonstrate their commitment to care for God’s creation." Click here for "Green building and remodeling." Great resource, from Earth Ministry.

Tru-envy? From America's obsession with a perfect lawn, Jon Pahl of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia makes a religious connection: "We seem somehow uncertain of our salvation, so we seek enemies to conquer and control, and we seem driven constantly to display our power for others to see. Can there be a connection between the way we treat dandelions and the way we treat our neighbors? The way we treat the poor and sick and suffering of the world?" Click here for "Tru-envy."  Reprinted, with permission, from the April 15, 2004 issue of Sightings, produced by the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

July 25
Real estate boom opens possibilities. "Many land-rich but cash-strapped churches across the nation are finding opportunities for mission and revival in the current real estate bonanza. It makes stewardship sense for some churches to sell some or part or all of their property and use the money for mission. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

July 18
Money and the spiritual life. "Pastor, we need to help our people understand that God says there is a direct relationship between how I use my money and the quality of my spiritual life! The way we manage God's money can prevent him from doing more in our lives. " Click here for "Money and the spiritual life." Inspirational essay published by "the Purpose Driven Pastor" Rick Warren and posted on his organization's website Pastors.Com.

Stewardship: Sharing the Abundance.  Here's a wonderful congregational resource for novice stewardship leaders and veterans alike. Broad in its approach and deep in its detail, Sharing the Abundance is useful and practical. Click here for Sharing the Abundance. From the Resource Center of the Eastern North Dakota Synod.

Generous to the end of our days. "There is a generosity of spirit that I think that we have lost in our culture.  We have endless debates about end-of-life issues. It seldom seems gracious, though."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Bombings teach us to value our time and our lives. "Death comes to us all. Nobody gets out alive. But the unexpectedness and wanton destruction of the London bombings reminded us that no one knows the time or hour when our lives will end.  I purposefully borrow language from Jesus's response to questions of when he will come again." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

July 11
Renewing our relationship with the earth: What you and your church can do. This is a free 52-page guide listing not only a Biblical and theological basis for environmental care, but also practical steps you and your congregation can take. Click here for Renewing our relationship. Great resource from the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa in Canada.
Extending a real welcome to all. "It goes to welcoming the strangers to our land.  It goes to paying people enough to live on so that they can feel a welcome part of our society.  It goes to the way we drive and the way we are with every encounter of our day."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Stewardship with a smile. Here's a delightful Powerpoint presentation guaranteed to make the folks in your church chuckle while they consider how well they are doing in stewardship, not only of their money but of all the gifts God gives them. Click here for Stewardship with a smile. Another fine creation of Jerry Hoffman, webmaster of Stewardship for the 21st Century, where you will find lots of great resources.

G8 Summiteers tackle stewardship. Really! "As the world's most powerful leaders gather, poverty eradication in Africa and global warming emerged as the two hot topics, both of which are essentially stewardship issues with tremendous religious implications. Especially for Christians. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Stewardship draws us to the Lord.  "A steward never stops saying 'thank you' to God for blessings received. A steward has an attitude of gratitude and essentially is a person of great peace and great joy," Father Daniel Mahon told a Catholic conference in Canada. Click here to read more of his inspiring talk. From Western Catholic Reporter, Canada's largest religious weekly.

July 4
What do we see for our stewardship? "Look any Sunday and see what I see.  See the faces of the children in Sunday School and the upturned face of an old man who can no longer kneel when I say, "The body of Christ given for you."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Can corporations assume responsibility for the environment? In this essay, eminent process theologian John B. Cobb Jr. discusses the environmental implications of the growing power of transnational businesses. "Personally, I am not happy that the future of the Earth is now in the hands of corporations rather than governments. I believe that power should be in the hands of those who have other goals than economic gain in view as part of their primary job description." Click here for Cobb's essay. Posted on Religion Online.

No hot water: A first-world dilemma. "Pity me! The hot water heater in my house bit the dust last week. ... I need your pity because I probably won't get much from the 1.1 billion people in the world who lack safe, clean, plentiful drinking water, according to the United Nations. Or from the families of the 3 million people who die each year from preventable water-related illnesses, according to the World Bank." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

The overlooked key to success. . "e;In working with congregations over the years, there is one key factor that keeps coming back, loud and clear. If the Pastor and the lay leaders aren’t "out in front " of the stewardship efforts, there’s very little chance of growth!" Click here for this piece by Tuck Aaker, columnist for ELCA stewardship resources.

June 27
Faithful Finances 101. In this weekly stewardship newsletter, Jerry Hoffman praises the recent stewardship book, Faithful finances 101: From the poverty of fear and greed to the riches of spiritual investing. The work by Gary Moore debunks the morality of the marketplace, Hoffman says. "Moore sees that one of the biggest problems facing people is our tendency to compartmentalize our lives. ...  We don’t consider how love to our neighbor applies when we purchase a stock, mutual fund or make other investment." Click here for the newsletter. From Stewardship for the 21st Century at Luther Seminary.

Welcome to 'Sinners Anonymous'. "I have long told people who feel no need to go to church that it is precisely when we are strong that we need to go to church for the sake of someone there who needs us to be there.  Maybe just a smile or a presence, or a strong, sure voice reciting the creed.  Or maybe it is to support the pastor and laugh at her pitiful jokes and help her by our presence to be strong for others."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Six months later, awash in relief. "When she heard about the Tsunami that pounded nations of the Indian Ocean on the day after Christmas, Mary Zimmerman wondered what she could do to help.  But rather than sit and wring her hands, Zimmerman got busy baking pies and selling them for $6 each at her church." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Digging Deeper: Money and Your Heart.Why is it harder for a rich person to go to heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? This piece from Moody Magazine offers some valuable insights. "Money can make it hard for an independently minded person to admit his need and dependently trust Christ for eternal salvation." Click here for Digging Deeper.

Relationships: The glue that holds your church together. Most towns boast plenty of churches where people can hear the Word of God, so what will encourage people to become a part of yours? Church-growth guru Rick Warren says churches that encourage relationships among members have an edge, and the smartest churches encourage relationships in everything they do. Click here for "Relationships." Posted on Warren's website Pastors.com.

June 20
Opening our hearts and pocketbooks. "We always expect pastors to make sacrifices and to be willing to live frugally for the sake of the Gospel.  I am sure the pastor of my Grandfather's church did. But everyone sacrificed to make sure the church was still there."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Don't forget the Dads! Congregations should be doing everything they can to get Dads and other men deeply into the life of faith. Not only because women statistically outnumber the men in the pews, but more importantly because fathers who are active in church are much more likely to raise children to be churchgoers. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Christian Giving in God's World. This insightful essay answers some of the fundamental questions. "Is giving money to God optional? Absolutely not! Christians are commanded by God to give of their possessions to the work of God," writes Richard Bucher, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, LCMS, Lexington, Ky. Click here for Christian Giving in God's World.

June 13
How do we get our money to God? This Powerpoint presentation is ideal for Lutheran pastors struggling to explain the interrelationship between local giving and congregational, synod and churchwide budgets. It can easily be tailored to meet the needs of other denominations. Click here for How we get our money to God. Made available through the Association of Lutheran Resource Centers.

Youth use the 'T' word without apology. "If we who love the Lord and want to further the work of the kingdom do not take giving of our money seriously then who will?  I think we should extend that past pastors to everyone who works on stewardship and everyone who serves on councils and everyone who is serious about giving thanks for what God has given."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

A teaching moment for your church. The good news: Never in recent times has there been so much opportunity for American churches to educate, equip and lead their members to put into action Jesus's directives of Matthew 25: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit the prisoner. The bad news: Homelessness and hunger are rising quickly. Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Jerry Schmalenberger: Stewardship of the family. For the run-up to Father's Day, a here's a timeless paper on family and marriage from a noted theologian.  "Faithfulness and lifelong fidelity must be stewarded very much like we preserve, conserve, and treasure other priceless possessions and natural resources." Click here for Stewardship of the family.

Valuing families! Ephesians 3:14. Good stewardship begins with the family, and here is a new resource for people and congregations to explore, honor and support families of all sizes and types. Includes free flyers, tips and study guides available for PDF download. Click here for Valuing Families. Prepared by the National Council of Churches USA.

June 6
It's never too late for gratitude. "When I was ordained (at 45) I sat down and wrote to everyone who helped to get me to that point.  I am sure that I didn't remember everyone.  I didn't think that I should move forward without looking back to what and who got me there."  Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Is your church contributor friendly? "A smaller percentage of church donations comes via the collection plate. More people do their banking electronically and loathe writing checks. Others would rather give their via credit card. Still other donors would be happy to give in-kind donations, stock, real estate or bequests, but they don’t think of it or don't know how. Does your church give them guidance?" Click here for this archive column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

John Paul II: The ecological conversion. "In our time, man has unhesitatingly devastated wooded plains and valleys, polluted the waters, deformed the earth’s habitat, made the air unbreathable, upset the hydrogeological and atmospheric systems, blighted green spaces, implemented uncontrolled forms of industrialization, humiliating the earth, that flower-bed that is our dwelling." Click here for this message of the late Pope John Paul II, posted by the Catholic Conservation Center.

May 30
Growth and stewardship in the small church The dynamics of life in a small congregation present unique challenges for pastors and leaders who want to grow the budget and membership rolls. "Pastors who want to develop these areas of their ministries may find it helpful to understand what makes this size of congregation distinctive," says Perry Bell, in this article. Click here for the article. From the Congregational Resource Guide of the respected Alban Institute.

When churches face a deficit. I have seen congregations rely on one person to get them out of trouble year after year without digging deeper themselves.  So I am proposing to my congregation  that they all give a little more. If members don't have a big lump sum lying around, they can just put a little extra in each week." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Come, holy rain. "Pastors and congregational leaders who notice that giving and attendance have declined can take comfort knowing their congregation is merely in a dry place, awaiting the reviving presence of the Holy Spirit. And they can begin to expect the Holy Spirit to work among them, to show them new possibilities and insights." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Resources for church treasurers and bookkeepers. Looking to get your church finances in order? This assortment of free resources can help! The 18 resources cover practical topics such as how to set financial goals, handling church income and petty-cash accounts. Click here for an index page to these resources. From the Office of the Treasurer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

May 23
Our risky, right choices. When four young women from out-of-state show up at her church, our columnist learns a powerful message about how hard it is to live the words of Jesus in Matthew 25, "We make choices knowing that there is right and wrong in all of it in life and we just pray that God can make the best even of our bad choices." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly stewardship column.

Great stewardship link! Check out this great stewardship website from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Stewardship for the 21st Century contains hundreds of resources, including Bible studies, sermons, essays, articles, etc. Its two stated purposes are to help free people from the "myth of scarcity to live an abundant life in Christ," and to encourage people to become "confident, courageous stewardship leaders." Wow! Click here for Stewardship for the 21st Century. Be sure to sign up for its free weekly e-newsletter.

Push pro-family economic policies. "While housing prices are cruising along with percentage hikes in the healthy double digits, salaries are nearly stagnant. When the two realities collide, families in the rental market face bleak prospects. Many are stretched way too thin, driven to substandard housing, forced to move out of the area or simply put on the streets." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Fifteen-plus environmental action ideas. Environmental stewardship can become an integral part of your congregation's life and education program. How? This resource lists practical, easy-to-implement ideas. Click here for Fifteen-plus environmental action ideas. From the Evangelical Environmental Network, whose website has lots of good stuff.

An exercise in growth. "There are a thousand ways to grow and a thousand ways to help that growth, but you won't get off square one until you sit down and understand needs to target as some initial goals." Great reading in an essay packed with practical tips for a congregation.   Click here for the piece by Tuck Aaker, columnist for ELCA Stewardship Resources.

Widow's Walk ... Does Jesus idealize poverty? Stewards love Jesus' story of the "widow's mite" as the ideal illustration of sacrificial giving. Here's a fresh wrinkle: "Our culture counsels us to became like the honored scribes, but Jesus counsels us to become like the dishonored widow. We are to model our lives on one we would normally overlook, being too busy admiring the lifestyles of the rich and famous." Click here for Widow's Walk. By Mary Anderson, pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Columbia, S.C., printed in The Christian Century. This week's Treasure Chest resource.

May 16
Preparing for a major financial campaign. This resource guide for congregations includes a number of checklists for getting ready, getting started, and so on. It also has a sample budget and tip sheets. Lots of nuts-and-bolts information on running a major financial campaign. Click here for the eight-page guide on capital campaigns. From the Stewardship Page of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (DC), which has lots of other good resources.

Forgive us our money mistakes. "We have all made foolish mistakes with money in our personal lives, and even congregations can make mistakes.  I sometimes think it is the foolish mistakes we have made personally and how guilty we have felt about them that colors even the decisions we make for our churches.  We cannot let our mistakes paralyze us." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly column on stewardship.

A scriptural call for environmental stewardship. The Bible has a lot to say about care for God's creation -- and as this insightful article points out, we human beings are doing a pretty lousy job fulfilling our duties. Its compiles Scripture passages on a wide range of environmental topics. Click here for the article, posted on the website of the Fund for Christian Ecology, which contains lots of other good stuff.

Sow the seeds of 'Holy Health'. "Pastors from a number of denominations work on the farm one day a month. They practice organic, sustainable farming and learn that producing top-quality produce and protein takes time, patience and hard work.  Applied to the stewardship of their churches, pastors learn to focus on producing healthy congregations. It’s part of a philosophy called “Holy Health.'" Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Increasing income. "The most often requested question that I have had over the years about stewardship is 'How can we increase income?' The answer to that question can take many paths, but to 'cut to the chase, there are three ways to increase income in ANY congregation:" Click here for the answer from Tuck Aaker, columnist for ELCA Stewardship Resources.

May 9
The narrative budget >Forget for the moment that most people don't understand how to read a line-item budget, the issue is how well a spreadsheet budget conveys your church's commitment to the Gospel to leaders and members alike. Most would agree it does a lousy job. An alternative may be a narrative budget, which puts the key figures into a form more friendly for churchgoers. Click here for a resource on the Narrative budget. From the United Methodist Church's Center on Christian Stewardship.

God bless the volunteers. "Those of us who are running around busily trying to do more things than we really should anyway can get really resentful of giving some of our precious time to those who seem to have too much of it." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly column on stewardship.

20 Questions: How healthy are your money values? Here's a great tool congregations can use to help their members understand their financial stewardship. It's a friendly questionnaire to help families gauge how well they're balancing charitable giving, spending, saving and investing. Click here for the 20 Questions. From Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Healthier Mom, healthier family, healthier world. "If we’re generally doing OK as families, lots of other big problems take care of themselves. This is because stable, healthy families are much more likely to raise kids who do well in school, go to church, resist drugs, choose friends wisely, stay out of trouble with the law, get decent jobs, make responsible decisions about sex and go on to be good parents themselves." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

First-mile, second-mile and third-mile giving. In this essay, stewardship specialist Dr. Ed Kruse suggests a number of practical, down-to-earth ways that congregations can develop a revenue stream through second-mile giving. Click here for the essay. From the Central States Synod, ELCA.

How To Create a Mission Endowment Fund: A guide for congregations. FREE BOOKLET! Such a fund can be a vehicle to support and enhance ministries.  This vision attracts planned and future gifts as people desire to Leave a Legacy for Ministry: Gifts that Nurture the Whole Church. Click here for the resource. From the ELCA Foundation, free PDF download. While on the page, check out the other helpful resources, such as how to encourage donations, bequests and life insurance donations.

May 2
Every day is Earth Day. The fact that we make such a big deal of the environment only once a year shows what the real problem is: We are self-absorbed and fail to think of the natural environment as a part of us.  We can get away with it because most of us live most of our lives in totally unnatural environments, and that is because of our affluence." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Time after time, our most precious gift. "Those of us who are running around busily trying to do more things than we really should anyway can get really resentful of giving some of our precious time to those who seem to have too much of it." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly column on stewardship.

Stewardship training program. Here's a wonderful PowerPoint presentation you can adapt to educate your congregation about the stewardship this year. Pastor Sue Eidahl and the folks at Zion Lutheran Church (ELCA), Stratford, Wis., created the presentation for a past campaign and are making it available through the Association of Lutheran Resource Centers. You can also access the material as a QuikTime movie.

The gift of a lifetime.In most congregations a bequest is something that is left by a member who has left a sizable estate. But there are a few congregations who have made it a practice over the years to remind their members and friends that 'tithing their estate' regardless of the size of the gift is a special way to say thanks to God for a wonderful life." Click here for Tuck Aaker's column, one of many ELCA Stewardship Resources.

April 25
Link: Earth Ministry. Looking for simple, down-to-earth ways to raise the environmental awareness level of your congregation? Here's a website for you. Earth Ministry is an ecumenical, mostly Mainline group out of Seattle founded in 1992, and it's website offers a good mix of the theological and the practical when it comes to environmental stewardship -- nice how-to pieces, links to articles, resources for purchase. Definitely worth a look. Click here for Earth Ministry.

Larry Rasmussen: The everlasting covenant. In this sermon, the noted author of Earth Community, Earth Ethics and other books on ecology says that by allowing environmental degradation, humans are breaking a covenant with the creator that Isaiah describes.  Rasmussen says, "The everlasting covenant Isaiah speaks of is the first one, and breaking it banishes the gladness of the earth." The author is Reinhold Neibuhr Professor of Social Ethics Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary and a lay theologian for the ELCA. Click here for Rasmussen's homily.

An evangelical declaration on the care of creation. Clear thinking, biblical theology and a progressive attitude mark this statement of the Evangelical Environmental Network. It is both a description of the current state of the environment globally and a call to action. Inspiring statement, signed by scores of notables, including Tony Compolo and Ron Sider. Click here for the declaration. And while you're there, check out the other great resources on their website.

Save electricity, save money, save the planet. "First Unitarian Universalist Church in Austin, Texas, saved $3,226 in electricity and used 290,000 fewer gallons of water last year by installing energy-efficient lighting and water-saving devices in its building. Saving energy will likely become more important as the cost of fossil fuel soars, but much more is at stake than energy bills." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Evangelism? We have so much to give! "Some people have that problem with things other than food.  They shop just to shop.  They watch shopping shows or even just commercials so that they can find things to want.  Things they know they don't need and wonder what to do with when they get them home." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly column on stewardship.

Down-to-Earth Theology. One of the most prophetic voices in American Christian thought, Sojourners magazine devotes its entire March 2004 issue to the environment. Every article is rich, provocative, passionate and faithful. Free access requires registration. Highlights:
Consider the Turtles of the Field - Many evangelicals find themselves in an emerging theological habitat, where care of creation is central to mission.
Rockfish, Redfish, Stockfish, Foodfish - Seven biblical principles for the care of creation.
To Serve and Preserve - The Bible calls us to dominion over creation. Or does it? 
Sins of Emission  - No politician seriously believes that Americans are willing to deal with global warming. Is it too late to prove them wrong?  By Bill McKibben.

I owe it to myself As college students descend on Florida for "spring break," ELCA stewardship columnist Tuck Aaker reflects on the growing attitude that we deserve a reward for every sacrifice, no matter how petty. He describes the "merry go round" that has ensnared many: "The more you work, the more you earn, the more you spend, the more you work. Click here for Tuck Aaker's column, one of many ELCA Stewardship Resources.

April 18
Become an 'Energy Star' Congregation. Churches can save 30 percent on their energy bills, and for most houses of worship that means a lot of money freed up for mission, maintenance -- or maybe the pastor's salary package. Energy Star, a government initiative, estimates that the nation's houses of worship collectively could reduce electricity usage by 13.5 billion kWh, prevent 5 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere and in the process save $500 million.
Click here for the Energy Star page on congregations. The page offers a ton of thought-provoking and inspirational resources.
Click here "Putting Energy Into Stewardship," an 86-page guide for churches.

Christianity and Ecology: Wholeness, Respect, Justice, Sustainability. Here is a provocative essay from Harvard University’s Forum on Religion and Environment that frames the issue nicely: "Increasing numbers of Christian theologians and ethicists are responding to the environmental challenge as the world gets hotter, stormier, unequal, crowded, more violent, and less biodiverse. In this pivotal time, what do Christian ecotheology and ethics contribute to the struggle to secure the earth community’s well-being?" Click here for the essay. While you’re on the page, cruise through some of the other worthwhile links on religion and ecology, including course outlines.

Proclaim, celebrate God's creation. "Many of us living in such insular environments. It’s easy to forget that the Earth and all its wonder and complexity are the handiwork of our creator God who appointed us as the stewards. That’s why now, at the beginning of the third millennium, we especially need the church to remind us of these truths. This year, please consider doing something for Earth Day Sunday at your church on April 24, or for Rogation Sunday on May 1. " Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

Ecology and Economy.In this talk, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams explores the sometimes-tense relationship between ecology and economy: "It has been said that 'the economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment.' The earth itself is what ultimately controls economic activity because it is the source of the materials upon which economic activity works." Click here for the talk.

Giving is an indicator of conviction. "Some people have that problem with things other than food.  They shop just to shop.  They watch shopping shows or even just commercials so that they can find things to want.  Things they know they don't need and wonder what to do with when they get them home." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly column on stewardship.

Journey Between Worlds: Economic Globalization and Luther's God Indwelling Creation.Our created environment and livelihood of billions face unprecedented peril from economic globalization.  As stewards of God's world, what are we to think? In her article in the Journal of Lutheran Ethics, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda finds insights from Luther's theology. "The presence of God taking bodily form in 'our' many forms suggests a web of connectedness pregnant with implications for both moral obligation and moral-spiritual power." Click here for Moe-Lobeda's article.

April 11
Celebrate Rogation Sunday May 1... As our culture becomes more mechanized, we become more distant from the earth's seasons and cycles of life. That's why it's a good idea to bring back Rogation Sunday -- on May 1 (Fifth Sunday after Easter) -- as a celebration of seed-time. A pastor from Canada termed it "a Christian Earth Day," a traditional Sunday for honoring God's creation. Here are some resources you can use May 1 -- or any Sunday you want to remember God's handiwork:
Click here for a service from the Resource Center, Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.
Click here for a service from the Stewardship of Life Institute (that's us!).
Click here  for Rogation FAQ and resources from the ELCA.
Click here for a bundle of liturgical resources from Web of Creation.

... or Earth Day Sunday April 24. This year Earth Day celebrates 35 years, and many churches are celebrating it at worship on Sunday, April 24. The ELCA is joining the National Council of Churches in calling on congregations to mark Earth Day Sunday with services, sermons that stress "Sacred Oceans and Seas."
Click here for the National Council of Churches Earth Day resources, including educational programs, bulletin inserts, order of worship and sermon starter.
Click here for the Earth Day letter from Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA.
Click here for a bundle of liturgical resources from Web of Creation.

Simple ideas, strong witness. "For Palm Sunday worship, churches across the nation bought palm fronds to use as a tangible witness to our Savior’s life, death and resurrection 2000 years ago. But rather than calling the local florist, Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks, Alaska, bought frond crosses made by Tanzanian villagers. It’s a way to help poor families and fund humanitarian projects – another powerful witness of our faith." Click here for this column by SOLI webmaster Rob Blezard.

When God satisfies, I shall not want. "Some people have that problem with things other than food.  They shop just to shop.  They watch shopping shows or even just commercials so that they can find things to want.  Things they know they don't need and wonder what to do with when they get them home." Click here for the Rev. Dana Reardon's weekly column on stewardship.

Me, my stuff, and I.The young author from Campus Life gives a quiz for her peers, but consumers of every age group can learn from this introspective questionnaire. Might make a good resource for teaching stewardship to youth. Click here for the article. From CampusLife.net.

Jürgen Moltmann: Reconciliation with Nature.This fine essay by one of our era's pre-eminent Protestant theologians is