What does “first fruits giving” really mean? Exploring the feast of first fruits in Deuteronomy 26 gives us valuable insights, blogger Morgan Guyton writes in Patheos. “This feast of first fruits helps to illustrate the relationship between sacrificial worship and justice that has always been part of God’s teaching.” ((Photo: AlicePopkorn, Creative Commons License)
A shift in mindsets will help move folks into God’s generosity
What does it take to move your congregation into God’s amazing abundance and generosity? In this two-part essay, ELCA Pastor and stewardship leader Larry Strenge suggests three mindsets that we can cultivate to help our congregations go. Great ideas from Luther Seminary’s Center for Stewardship Leaders. (Oregon DOT, Creative Commons)
9 strategies for healthy holiday eating
With parties and special treats coming at you nonstop in the five-week span from Thanksgiving to New Years, it’s no wonder we stray from our healthy eating habits. You don’t have to abstain from your favorite goodies, but you have to be smart about eating. Here are nine tips on how. From Real Simple. (Photo: […]
Give your church a year-end budget bump
As the year’s end approaches, many churches worry, “Will we end the year in the black?” Columnist Karl Vaters suggests doing this one simple thing that both expresses gratitude and lets congregants know what the church needs to avoid an unintentional short fall. It’s not too late to get thank you letters in the mail. […]
What the Bible teaches us about climate migration
in 2018 more than 17 million climate migrants — those displaced by the effects of climate change (i.e. crop failure, water stress, sea level rise), left their homes permanently. As California’s wildfires led a writer and his family to escape their smoke-filled neighborhood, he reflects on what the Bible says about these refugees. From Sojourners. […]
Educate congregants about year-end giving strategies
Are you helping congregants fully maximize their desire to support your church’s ministries? Consider using the information in this Charity Navigator article to facilitate a conversation about the tax benefits of giving. If you don’t educate and don’t ask, congregants are not likely to invest as fully as possible in your faith community. (Photo: Creative […]
Bivocational church leadership offers opportunity
Bivocational ministry is increasingly the norm, and while it is a challenge, it also presents an opportunity to understand God’s work in us in new and exciting ways,” writes Jessica Young Brown, assistant professor of counseling and practical theology at Virginia Union University. “As we adjust to this new way of doing ministry, it’s helpful […]
Half of U.S. children don’t get enough shut-eye
Early school start times, screen related distractions, and external pressures have contributed to 52 percent of American children ages 6 to 17 getting less than the 9 hours per night recommended by pediatricians. Hoi See Tsao, MD, a pediatrician in Boston, and a co-author of a new pediatric sleep study, calls chronic sleep loss “a serious […]
Stewardship Toolbox explores ‘Your perfect Christmas gift’
Use our monthly Toolbox to keep your congregation thinking about stewardship with a free original newsletter article, weekly Sunday bulletin “Stewardship Snippets” and links to dig into a stewardship theme. This month: “Your perfect Christmas gift.’” (Photo: Per Erik Strandberg, Creative Commons)
Teaching about climate change in the church
Here’s a comprehensive climate change teaching guide to help you can use in faith-based settings. These resources reflect teachings of the Finnish Lutheran Church but are easily adaptable to your particular context. “Climate change is not just a problem related to natural sciences, but it is above all a moral and ethical issue strongly linked to justice and […]
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