Preaching Past TiVo'
Here's a brilliant article -- a candid conversation with pastor/theolgians on how to preach Gospel values to a consumer culture. Lots of wisdom. For instance, from John Ortberg: "One of the things we battle at the core is the assumption that the satisfaction of desire is the key to fulfillment in life. And any time people feel they lack something, the more they focus on that desire. It becomes a cycle, a treadmill." Click here for "Preaching Past TiVo," from the LeadershipJournal.net.

Empty Plates, Empty Hearts?
Subtitled, "Practical ways to help your congregation discover the joy of giving," this eye-opening essay helps you understand the reasons why money is such a big problem at many churches today. Click here for "Empty plates, Empty Hearts," from Your Church

Building a Budget that Reflects God's Agenda
Why does your church have a budget in the first place? If it's not to implement God's mission for your church, you've got some work to do. Here's a resource that can help. It's a thoughtful paper loaded with great ideas. Click here for "Building a budget that Reflects God's Agenda," from Generous Giving.

How To Create a Culture of Stewardship in Your Church
An effective capital stewardship campaign can be your new muscle for ministry, and the process will create a discipline to trust God not merely in theory, but in the reality of serving God over money. Click here for "How To Create a Culture of Stewardship," from Church Executive.

Avoid Budget Snares
With so many interests pushing and pulling on the church budget, it’s hard to craft a budget that pleases everybody. But the job is a lot easier if you can avoid the four common budget traps outlined in this useful, free handout. Click here for “Avoid Budget Snares.” From Building Church Leaders. (02/19/07)

No Gift Too Small
Do you or your fellow church members sometimes think you have nothing to contribute to congregational life? It may be you are focusing on what you do NOT have to offer, rather than what you DO have. Here's an essay that may help you to shift thinking. Click here for “No Gift Too Small,” from Building Church Leaders. (02/12/07)

Dangerous Blessings:
A theology of God's abundance and our hunger for more.
The Bible tells us that money is both wonderful and deadly. It is one way God blesses people, and, perhaps more surprising, it can actually enhance our relationship with God. However, equating prosperity with godliness is a scriptural no-no. Click here for “Dangerous Blessings,” from Leadership Journal. (01/15/07)

Jonathan Edwards: 70 Effective Resolutions
Church leaders who make resolutions for the New Year are in good company. Jonathan Edwards, the leading theologian of the First Great Awakening, conducted his life and ministry by 70 resolutions. Click here for “70 Effective Resolutions,” from Leadership Journal. (01/01/07)

Kids and consumerism
The Episcopal Church ventured to the Mall of America to explore how children use money and how the church can teach them the value of material possessions. “Our country now faces a crisis because children are growing up without balanced financial values or a well-thought approach to how they use money,” said Nathan Duncan, president of Share Save Spend. Click here for “Kids and consumerism,” from Episcopal Life magazine. (12/11/06)

Taking back Christmas
"Christmas is about the transformation of our world into the world God wants it to be. It is about our transformation into the beloved community. It is about God’s selfless love poured out on a world desperately in need of a savior. Somebody please tell me what this has to do with parents fighting to purchase the latest toy fad?" Wow! Put stewardship in perspective!  Click here for the “Take back Christmas!”  From Presbyterians Today, the magazine of the Presbyterian Church USA. (12/04/06)

40 Questions to Ask God: 'How Generous Am I'
"How generous are you? How would you be able to tell? The only sure way of knowing is to ask God Himself.” These questions will help you in self-examination and prayer about money. Click here for “40 Questions” from ChristianityToday.com. (11/27/06)

Thanksgiving: Developing gratitude in your church
You’ve read it on our website a zillion times – Stewardship begins with gratitude. Here is a cornucopia of free online resources to help you bring out the thankfulness in your church-members. Click here for Thanksgiving, from ChristianityToday.com. (11/13/06)

Talking with your donors ... not speaking to them
People are being bombarded with requests for money, but some smart planning can help keep your church's needs from getting lost in the mix. "We hear more and more donors complaining about how tired they are of being 'sold to.'  We forecast this level of ennui will only increase, and it will take our collective imaginations to shape messages that will work in an environment that is cluttered."  Click here for "Talking with donors," from OnPhilanthropy.com. (10/16/06)

The Money-Wise Church. Financial experts cite various reasons for why people are giving less to churches, including poor giving habits and lack of teaching on stewardship. Others say people are giving less because they've lost confidence in how the church handles money. ... Churches can win back the confidence of givers by becoming better money managers. Click here for "The Money-Wise Church," from YourChurch magazine. (10/9/06)

Transforming Lives by Teaching on Money.  "If the local church is to live out its redemptive potential, it must provide not only hope but practical help and biblical teaching that meet people at their points of need. One of the most critical needs in the church today is helping people come to grips with their finances." Click here for "Transforming Lives by Teaching on Money," from  Building Church Leaders. (10/02/06)

Vision Fulfillment.  Facing a major capital campaign? Here's one expert's step-by-step strategy for accomplishing going from vision to fulfillment. "Every successful capital campaign, whether for new construction, renovation, debt reduction, or budget enhancement, has a structure and a timeline from inception to completion. While campaign lengths vary, four years is typical, and a capital campaign firm is involved at strategic points when expertise and organization are needed most." In ChristianityToday.com. Click here for "Vision Fulfillment," from Your Church magazine. (9/18/06)

Let's talk money: Advice from the pros on stewardship training.  "If your church charged an admission fee to cover its expenses, how much would it cost each person on a Sunday morning? A dollar? As much as $10? In 1994, the actual amount needed to operate most Protestant churches was $16-$21 per person." Click here for "Let's talk money," from  Your Church magazine. (9/11/06)

Life on the Edge: A Small Congregation Redefines Its Mission. "If North America is now a mission field, this fact has tremendous implications for small congregations. Being on the margins can provide fresh opportunities for offering bold witness. It is often a better position for discovering mission than is the center. In scripture, faithfulness seldom comes from, or results in, large numbers or success. God often elects the small for extraordinary missionary service." Click here for "Life on the Edge." By the Rev. Richard S. Bliese in The Christian Century. This week's Treasure Chest offering. (9/11/06)

The Business of the Kingdom. Looking for new paradigms to run your church? Business guru Peter Drucker may have the answer. This insightful article looks at Drucker's business philosophies and how they can revolutionize church -- and the world! "Drucker developed an understanding of management that was deeply humane; not mechanical, not technical, but pastoral." Click here for "The Business of the Kingdom," from  Christianity Today. (9/04/06)

The Art and Science of Major Gift Fundraising.  "Major gift fundraising is as much an art as a science. Support by individuals makes up the majority of giving to philanthropic organizations, and major gifts from individuals can account for up to 90% of annual donations to non-profit organizations--often from as little as 5% of annual donors." How can you better reach willing donors?  Click here for "The Art and Science," from   OnPhilanthropy.com. (8/28/06)

Stewardship as a Ministry in the Local Church.  "Martin Luther said there are three conversions—first the mind, then the heart, and finally the pocketbook. A ministry of stewardship focuses on the last conversion that is so desperately needed in lives today." Click here for "Stewardship as a Ministry in the Local Church," from Building Church Leaders. (8/28/06)

Ministry to Deep-Pocket Donors. The wealthiest members of your congregation may be eager to assist -- or to assist more -- with the ministry of your church, and they can be encouraged to see their wealth as a spiritual gift, says a veteran pastor. "When I approach someone about giving, I don't see myself as a salesman, a fundraiser, or a beggar. I am the church's leader, charged with the responsibility of training every member to use his or her spiritual gift so that the body might be built up into the image of Christ."  Click here for "Ministry to Deep-Pocket Donors," from Building Church Leaders. (7/17/06)

Stewardship: The 'S' word. What do Mainline Christians think about stewardship? This essay explores it from a Presbyterian perspective, which offers common sense and biblical theology. "A poor church is not one without money, but one without a vision. When people have a clear Biblical and theological understanding of the mission of the church, healthy stewardship practices emerge."  Click here for "Stewardship: The "S" word," from Presbyterians Today. (7/10/06)

Christian History Corner: Serving God with Mammon. John Wesley's wisdom for hard economic times: earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. Insights from Wesley, the 18th century founder of the Methodist Church, reported in this illuminating article. Click here for "Serving God with Mammon," from ChristainityToday.com. This week's Treasure Chest offering. (7/10/06)

The Debt Slayers: Christian Financial Advisors. Pastors, do members of your flock struggle with credit cards? They're not alone. Americans are blessed with record wealth, but paradoxically are accumulating record amounts of debt as well. This article looks at the growing boom of Christian financial advisors, including the guy in the previous resource. Click here for "The Debt Slayers." Good reading from ChristianityToday.com. (5/15/06)

Advice from the pros on stewardship training. This article discusses the common mistakes churches make when looking at stewardship -- and suggests steps for turning things around. "To cultivate a generous spirit, churches must disciple people in stewardship, fundraising experts say."  Click here for "Advice from the pros." From ChristianityToday.com (5/08/06)

The 7 myths of volunteerism. "Debunk these myths to help your volunteers reach their full potential," reads the subtitle of this insightful article by Bill Hybels, pastor of the famed Willow Creek Church.  When you recognize the laypeople in the congregation ready and willing to pull behind your ministries, imagine the things your church can do. Good reading!  Click here for "The 7 myths," from Building Church Leaders magazine. (4/17/06)

Stewardship for small churches. If you're looking for some ideas to freshen up the stewardship campaign for your church, this resource may be for you. "Remember: Stewardship is more than financial giving. It is a sense of thanksgiving for all that God has given us, including care giving for the world around us! Click here for "Stewardship for small churches" from Building Church Leaders. (2/27/06)

Faith-raising, not fund-raising. "Saddleback Community Church's 'next step' strategy of helping even the most disconnected individual take a step of faith in God’s direction, allows us to help guide anyone’s growth towards God’s intentions. Even in the difficult area of becoming a financially fit and faithful steward."  Insights from Saddleback Community Church, founded by Rick Warren. Click here for "Faith-raising, not fund-raising," from Building Church Leaders magazine. This week's Treasure Chest offering.  (2/13/07)

Mission and money: How to bring entrepreneurship into your organization. "Mission plays a central role in nonprofits, defining the organization's reason for being, and answering why the organization is in operation. But to exploit all the opportunities open to them, nonprofit organizations must understand more than mission, customers, and the organization's programs—they must also understand its revenue model." Click here for a "Mission and money," from onPhilanthropy.com. (1/30/06)

Resolutions Worth Keeping. How are you doing on those New Year's resolutions? So far so good? Here's an article that explores the surprising Pagan origins of this yearly custom, as well as how Christians through the ages have approached it. (Guess what the Puritans did!) "Many of us may have taken New Years Eve and New Years Day as God-given opportunities. We have taken at least a few minutes to reflect, pray, and dedicate ourselves anew to our Lord." Click here for "Resolutions Worth Keeping," from ChristianityToday.com. This week's Treasure Chest offering. (1/02/06)

Loving and Giving (and vice versa). "One experience that shaped my life of giving was mission work in the Dominican Republic as a young man. It introduced me to the poverty of abundance. When I returned home a week before my freshman year in college I made the mistake of going to the mall for jeans. I wept at the sight of such wanton consumption." By Mark A. Vincent, a Mennonite minister in Wisconsin who runs a firm that consults with churches on financial matters. The article is in the May issue of The Lutheran magazine, entirely is devoted to stewardship and mission support. (05/24/04)

How Much Will You Keep? This could be subtitled, Confessions of a happy tither. "I was converted to '10-percenting' by the preaching of God's word. More than 20 years ago, single and in my 20s, I listened to my pastor, Don Hesterman, talk about money from the pulpit. He said, or I heard: 'If everything you are and everything you hold is the Lord's, then the question is not how much you give but how much do you keep?' "By David Smith, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sharon Center, Ohio. The article is in the May issue of The Lutheran magazine, entirely is devoted to stewardship and mission support.  (05/17/04)

Generosity Coach: What a title change can do for you. "Jonathan Reitz learned early on that nothing shuts down conversation with the person next to you on an airplane like saying you're a stewardship specialist. So Reitz, ELCA stewardship staff member, gave himself a new title that's been opening doors and conversations the last year and a half: generosity coach." The article is in the May issue of The Lutheran magazine, entirely is devoted to stewardship and mission support.  (05/10/04)

Life on the Edge: A Small Congregation Redefines Its Mission. "If North America is now a mission field, this fact has tremendous implications for small congregations. Being on the margins can provide fresh opportunities for offering bold witness. It is often a better position for discovering mission than is the center. In scripture, faithfulness seldom comes from, or results in, large numbers or success. God often elects the small for extraordinary missionary service." By the Rev. Richard S. Bliese in The Christian Century. (05/10/04)

SPECIAL ISSUE: What Good is my Giving? The entire May issue of The Lutheran magazine is devoted to stewardship and mission support because the ELCA, as all denominations, is facing a budget crunch. The articles cover a wide range of issues on mission support and stewardship. Every ELCA congregation will receive one magazine copy per family, but anybody can read the articles online. Be sure to check out the informative study guide available on-line only. For the next few weeks we'll be highlighting one story, beginning with this one: Vision Quest: Our church faces a vision crisis disguised as an economic problem. This overview by David Miller, editor of The Lutheran, sums up the obstacles many mainline denominations face: Consumerism, scarcity thinking and a "crisis of vision." (05/03/04)

Vision Fulfillment. Facing a major capital campaign? Here's one expert's step-by-step strategy for going from vision to fulfillment. "Every successful capital campaign, whether for new construction, renovation, debt reduction, or budget enhancement, has a structure and a timeline from inception to completion. While campaign lengths vary, four years is typical, and a capital campaign firm is involved at strategic points when expertise and organization are needed most." In ChristianityToday.com. (05/03/04)

Down-to-Earth Theology. One of the most prophetic voices in American Christian thought, Sojourners devotes its entire March issue to the environment. Every article is rich, provocative, passionate and faithful. 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 (4/26/04)

Jürgen Moltmann: Reconciliation with Nature. This fine essay by one of our era's pre-eminent Protestant theologians is just one in a classic edition of Word & Word, published by Luther Seminary, St. Paul. The issue provides in-depth scholarly treatment to the environment issues, including:
The Responsibility of Royalty: Genesis 1-11 and the Care of the Earth - James Limburg
The Weeping Mask: Ecological Crisis and the View of Nature - Vitor Westhelle
Environmental Concern and Economic Justice - Peri Rasolondraibe
Ecology, Feminism and Theology - Mary Ann Hinsdale
The Church's Role in Environmental Action - Calvin DeWitt (4/26/04)

Environment as Creation. Looking for some good reading on religion, the environment and public policy? Walter Bruggemann, the New Testament scholar from Columbia Theological Seminary, weighs in with reviews of three new books. "Thoughtful women and men of faith do well to think again and again about land as God's gift and about the environment as the habitat of the creator's will for creation—especially because at the present time, the tilt in public posture and policy is all toward economics at the expense of the environment." In Books&Culture.com. (04/19/04)

Eco-Myths. "Don't believe everything you hear about the church and the environmental crisis," reads the teaser on this report, which takes a very balanced, Biblical approach to an important that has become polarized. "Fueled by misconceptions, misinformation, and even showmanship, the environmental debate rages in the popular media. One side likes to quote Rush Limbaugh, who paints Vice President Al Gore and friends as "tree huggers"; the other charges 'rape of the Earth.'" From ChristianityToday.com. (04/19/04)

Common Excuses for Not Giving to the Lord's Work. "We all like the idea of generosity. But when it comes down to writing the check, there just seem to be so many extenuating circumstances. We have insufficient savings. We do not agree with the church’s spending priorities. The tithe does not apply to us today. Are there any good answers to these common excuses? Here are our answers to them." From Generous Giving. (04/05/04)

ELCA Stewardship leaders examine new way of working. Stewardship leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America said they've examined a new way to organize their work and reflected on where stewardship ministry is headed in the church.  The principle is called Natural Church Development (NCD).  "Its focus is improving the health of the church with the understanding that when a church is sufficiently healthy, numerical growth will follow," said Jonathan Reitz of the ELCA. From ChurchExecutive magazine. (3/29/04)

The Hidden Costs of Too Much Stuff. Why do we have it, where do we get it and why do we keep accumulating more of it? And what is it costing us, not just in dollars, but in storage space and time spent buying and tending to our stuff? I blame it on the Pottery Barn catalog. Whenever I glimpse that evil source of home-decorating temptation, I succumb to the affliction of our age: SDA, the Senseless Desire to Acquire. By M.P. Dunleavy, columnist for MSN.com's Money Central.(3/22/04)

'Blessed Are the Greedy:' The Morality of Global Trade. "Rather than being anti-globalization, religious critics of globalization are better described as alter-globalization; that is, they favor a deeply interconnected world in which the needs of people and the environment come before the needs of multinational corporations that benefit the relative few.  In short, they teach an inversion of the current model. It's the difference between pushing for fair trade, rather than settling for so-called free trade, a classic misnomer because of the protectionist nature of the world's economic players, both major and minor."  By Ira Rifkin in Sojourners. (3/15/04)

Faith Raising, Not Fund Raising. Saddleback Church, the folks kindling excitement in churches nationwide with the Purpose-Driven Life, reveal their stewardship secrets. "Our strategy for guiding that stewardship development infuses every level of the faith-formation process, starting with understanding the character of the God we're to become like. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world. … he gave." God's nature is to be a giver. As disciples conform to His character, they grow in their desire to give." From Leadershipjournal.net. (3/15/04)

Carter Decries Growing Income Gap. Former President Jimmy Carter said Americans have "failed miserably" at sharing our wealth with the world. In the keynote address at the 16th Nobel Peace Prize Forum at the ELCA's St. Olaf College, Carter said half the world's people live on less than $2 a day, he said.  "That includes shelter, food, clothing.  And as you can quickly see there is nothing left over for an education, health care or self-respect or for hope." From the ELCA News Service.  (3/8/04) See also The Full Text of Jimmy Carter's Talk.Last week we featured an ELCA News Service story about Jimmy Carter addressing the 16th Nobel Peace Prize Forum at the ELCA's St. Olaf College. Here is the full text of his speech -- compelling, thoughtful remarks. A good read. (3/15/04)

Martin E. Marty on Habitat for Humanity. "Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat, and his colleagues and volunteers have modeled how one can be motivated by a particular religious 'story' to be hospitable to others. Habitat now builds in numbers of dominantly Muslim nations, has attracted Jewish support, and never asks the creed of those with whom they work, thus proving that 'particular' faith and the 'common good' can intersect." From Sightings, published by the Martin Marty Center. (3/1/04)

Sins of Emission. No politician seriously believes that Americans are willing to deal with global warming. Is it too late to prove them wrong? "Sin, of course, is a word we've agreed to stop using in polite company-a cheap way of making an argument, its force eroded by its constant application to matters of personal style. So let's refer to the pattern of unfortunate option selection by the Bush administration when it comes to the environment." By Bill McKibbon, a leading Christian environmentalist, in Sojourners. (2/23/04)

Send Lazarus A hard-hitting look at how Jesus' story of Lazarus and Dives applies to our own thinking about outreach to the poor. "Now, Luke's parable lacks the sort of data that people like  to have when deciding whether and how to help. It doesn't say, for example, if Lazarus was deserving or lazy,"drug-addicted, mentally ill, or a good Joe down on his luck. We don't know whether he cornered Dives with pathetic spiels every time he left the house, or whether he just lay there, annoyingly mute, day after day. All we know is that he was at the gate, sick and hungry. And that, Luke seems to say, is all we need to know to predict the reversal ahead. By J. Mary Luti in the Christian Century. (2/16/04)

Digging Deeper: Money and Your Heart "Money can make it hard for an independently minded person to admit his need and dependently trust Christ for eternal salvation. Luke 18:18-30 [the story of the wealthy young man] does not teach that giving to the poor will merit one’s salvation. Other New Testament passages make it clear that salvation is not the result of good works. Luke simply illustrates how riches can hinder a relationship with God." By Mark L. Bailey of  Dallas Theological Seminary, in Moody Magazine. (3/1/04)

Crisis or Opportunity? Since the 1960s, mission support has declined across denominations, including the ELCA. "If the resources continue to decline, we'll need to cut programs--programs that make a real difference in people's lives," says ELCA treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton. "That will have to involve careful choices and conversation with synods about how needs are going to be met in light of those reductions." From the March 2004 issue of The Lutheran magazine. And check out the Study Guide written for this piece. (2/9/4)

The Courage To Look Up. There's a revolution taking place in demographics and our democracy, and the implications are important for churches and other charitable organizations. Are you ready for an aging population, more ethnic diversity and a government that is shifting more and more of the social burden onto nonprofits? Read this insightful article from onPhilanthropy.com. (2/2/3)

The Liturgy of Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity. A must read by Walter Brueggemann, the respected Hebrew Bible scholar who brings searing insight into American consumerism and religious life. "Christians have a long history of trying to squeeze Jesus out of public life and reduce him to a private little Savior. But to do this is to ignore what the Bible really says. ... When people forget that Jesus is the bread of the world, they start eating junk food -- the food of the Pharisees and of Herod, the bread of moralism and of power. Too often the church forgets the true bread and is tempted by the junk food." From The Christian Century.(1/26/4)

Would I Betray Him? "Life has a way of pushing us to decide whether the pursuit of earthly pleasure and treasure will be more important to us than a non-negotiated love for Christ. The decision comes with a consequence. When forced to make a choice, we discover that a choice for anything instead of Christ inevitably leads us to betray Him." Great insight from Joseph M. Stowell, president of Moody Bible Institute, from the archives of Moody Magazine. (1/19/04)

Poor Economy: 'I'll Steal Your Donors' "How will your non-profit organization weather the 'perfect storm' created by the cost of the war, the weak economy and rising unemployment rates?" In this article, an expert looks at three typical responses and outlines strategies for survival. From onPhilanthropy.com. (1/12/04)

Resolutions Worth Keeping. How are you doing on those New Year's resolutions? So far so good? Here's an article that explores the surprising Pagan origins of this yearly custom, as well as how Christians through the ages have approached it. (Guess what the Puritans did!) "Many of us may have taken New Years Eve and New Years Day as God-given opportunities. We have taken at least a few minutes to reflect, pray, and dedicate ourselves anew to our Lord." From ChristianityToday.com. (1/5/4) 

Life Isn't a Juggling Act. New in the January issue of The Lutheran, a timely essay from Terry Hershey about stewardship of our time, energy and life. "I want to invite you to live your life infused with grace, passion, purpose and heart. Which is another way of saying that balanced living is spillage: It happens when you live with grace, passion, purpose and heart. All are available in our lives — now. We need only to embrace what is already there." (12/29/3)

'I just don't have the time' "Martin Luther said that whatever we set our heart on or put our trust in becomes our religion and our god. The trouble is that most of us are trying to serve too many gods."  A timely reflection from H. George Anderson, former presiding bishop of the ELCA, from The Lutheran magazine. (12/22/03)

Church Executive's Annual Construction Issue. Bookmark this resource if your church is even thinking about a building program. It's a package of 10 stories, all available on line, with nuts and bolts information about everything from how to choose a contractor to the latest in church design and acoustics. Read about how stained glass is back "in," but church design is influenced by shopping malls! (12/15/03)

Simple living, simple giving Interview with Gerald Iverson of Alternatives for Simple Living (www.simpleliving.org). "The American Dream says we will find happiness and meaning in life through stuff," Iverson says. "We say we'll find happiness and meaning through relationships." From The Lutheran magazine. Also check out the insightful study guide written for the piece. (12/08/03)

Time and Money: When either one runs low, you've got a problem. Are you prepared?  Most pastors are not formally trained in financial management. Yet in many churches, it is the pastor who assumes responsibility for properly managing church finances. Is the pastor aware of the monetary risks that can threaten a ministry? From Your Church magazine. (12/1/03)

Talking turkey about Thanksgiving: We need a gratitude adjustment. "There's a problem with Thanksgiving. Celebrating an "official" day--like we will on Thursday, Nov. 27--compartmentalizes gratitude. The truth is that gratitude is the right attitude every day." From The Lutheran magazine. (11/24/03)

Entrusted with much.  "Just giving money is not enough if we are to be good and faithful stewards. ... Through our lifestyles the world may witness God’s loving character in action by our effective and proper use of talent, position, and power." From MoodyMagazine.com. (11/24/03)

Shielding our little consumers. How many shopping days until Christmas? With a little more than a month away, advertisements are in full swing to capture the imaginations of our children. Good time to look at this article, which talks about effect of advertising on kids -- and the informative sidebar how to counter it. From The Lutheran magazine, the monthly publication of the ELCA. (11/17/03)

When Dealing with Donors, Make It Personal - Here are some useful tips for visiting with a potential benefactor from an expert in planned giving. From onPhilanthropy.com (11/10/03)

Confessions of a middle-class materialist. A writer says she finally came to terms with the service she dreaded every year: Stewardship Sunday. "Their pleas for money and holier-than-thou attitudes insulted and enraged me"'  From The Lutheran. (Posted 11/03/03)

Christian History Corner: Serving God with Mammon. John Wesley's wisdom for hard economic times: earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. Insights from Wesley, the 18th century founder of the Methodist Church, reported in an article on ChristainityToday.com (Posted 10/28/03)

The Art of Giving Well Moody Magazine covers the biblical and theological basics of good stewardship and the challenge it poses for Christians living in America. "God does not promise to make us middle class. While there’s nothing excessive with wanting to have a nice house, new car, three meals a day, and full cable service, these are not biblical 'needs.' …  Our challenge is to cut back on meeting those 'needs' so more of the surplus can meet biblical needs." By Robert Hubbard, professor of biblical literature at North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago.(10/13/03)

Where does the church's money Go? Your Church magazine polled its subscriber congregations and came up with some interesting trends and shifts in spending. How does your congregation compare? (posted Sept. 22)

Successful Fundraising: Professional help may be the best choice for reaching your financial goals. A consultant lists pitfalls of the "do-it-yourself" approach. From Your Church magazine. (Posted Sept. 15)

Is Your Church Fiscally Fit? "Ten ways to assess your financial strength" in an insightful, down-to-earth article from Building Church Leaders.com, a service of Christianity Today. "No one on deck applauds a sloppy, leaky, sinking fiscal ship. 'Tis a gift to be appropriately aware of money" (Posted Sept. 8, 2003)

The Tyranny of Time. "Our relationship with time tells us who we are and what we value. Before we blame our bondage on too many responsibilities, channels or choices, we need to be honest about how we spend our time." The package of stories from the magazine of the ELCA explores time as a spiritual and stewardship issue. Check out also the extremely insightful study guides that accompany the stories. (Added Sept. 1, 2001)

Stewardship Is More Than Money—It's Your Life! "Holistic stewardship encompasses all that we are, all that we hope to become. We use four “c” words to summarize scores of biblical passages upon which we base our theology of holistic stewardship: conversion, commitment, communion, and concern." Insights from Congregations magazine. (Posted Aug. 11, 2003)

Faith Raising, Not Fund Raising.  "Saddleback Community Church's 'next step' strategy of helping even the most disconnected individual take a step of faith in God’s direction, allows us to help guide anyone’s growth towards God’s intentions. Even in the difficult area of becoming a financially fit and faithful steward."  Insights from Saddleback Community Church on Pastors.com (Posted Aug. 4, 2003)

All About Tithing. In light of sobering research from the Barna organization that tithing is down in churches, Baptist Press assembled an interesting package of reports and opinion about how churches can help raise up a new generation of stewards. (Posted July 29, 2003)

Preaching Past the Fear Factor: Surprise! People are eager to hear about joyful giving, if you approach it in the right way. Bold insights from LeadershipJournal.net (Posted July 13, 2003)

Jumping into the Deep End of the Internet Pool, from on Philanthropy. Read how the Salvation Army took advantage of partnerships and online technology to raise millions. (Posted June 29, 2003)

Curing Affluenza, from The Lutheran magazine. This is the lead story in a comprehensive package that looks at faith and money. Other stories are Why the devil takes plastic, Loving stuff, 4-step cure,  Resources and a study guide. (Posted June 22, 2003)

Empty Plates, Empty Hearts? Practical ways to help your congregation discover the joy of giving, from ChristianityToday.com, a guide for boosting your church's stewardship acumen. (Posted June 13, 2003)

Growing Generous Givers: 12 Tools for Cultivating an Unselfish Church. This insightful article from Leadership Journal distills a pastor's experience into easy-to-apply tips. (Posted June 1)