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Help Disciples See the Connections

Here’s a lesson from Wharton management professor Adam Grant about how to increase employee productivity by fostering relationship and a sense of purpose. See the possible connections to your faith community? These techniques can just as easily be  implemented to equip and inspire congregational volunteers, to increase stewardship, and to connect evangelism to everyday life.… Read more»

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11 Steps to Stewardship Success!

The United Church of Christ has distilled their wisdom into snappy, easy-to-understand (and easy-to-follow up) steps. Good for a reality check or course correction, a must-read for stewardship committees and congregational leaders.

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Book Review: ‘Ministry in Hard Times’

As churches struggle to survive the economic downturn, Bill Easum and Bill Tenny-Brittain offer some commonsense strategies in “Ministry in Hard Times” (Abingdon, 2010) says this short review on the Cornerstone Church Network website.  “This is a book that should be read, discussed and used as a resource for pastors, finance committees, governing boards and… Read more»

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Financial Literacy: Pass or Fail?

Click here to visit the Enemy of Debt website and see just how financially literate you really are. While you’re there read the scary report detailing the financial illiteracy of our youth and what we can do about it. (Photo by amboo who? used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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New Giving App Aims to Change Habits

Craving that overpriced coffee drink? Give five dollars to your favorite charity using Instead, and avoid excess calories and needless consumption. Thanks to a new app now in beta testing, you can choose to be generous AND  buy less. Click here to read the article from GOOD. (Photo by Denise Krebs used under Creative Commons… Read more»

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Stewardship of E-Waste

Wondering what to do with those old computer towers, monitors, cell phones, and broken iPods? Click here for some helpful suggestions from the Natural Resources Defense Council. Responsible ownership also involves responsible recycling. (Photo by mosmancouncil used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Financial Basics

The world of personal finance can be confusing. What’s an annuity? How should I think about risk? What’s an IRA? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has put together a webpage with good, basic information that can help you make some smart choices. (Photo © Chris Brignell – Fotolia.com)

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Biblical Stewardship Principles

Whether you are looking for material for your stewardship talk, campaign, Sunday school class or personal study, this resource is bound to inspire. This resource from the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod explores eight principles and how we can respond as disciples. There’s a leader’s guide and in versions appropriate for younger audiences.  (Photo by… Read more»

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Prayer Cultivates Generous Hearts

Here’s a short prayer activity for youth to help them understand prayer as a spiritual discipline and not just a “gimme” list for God. Click here to read more from Rethinking Youth Ministry. (Photo by frotzed2 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

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Stewardship ‘Suffering a Sea Change’

Younger church members don’t respond to stewardship appeals the same way that that older members do. That’s why grandparents heed your time-honored calls for increased giving while their grandchildren don’t.  What to do? The Alban Institute has some ideas. (Photo by Caitlinator, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)