Browsing SOLI Update

ant

Poor, dumb critters!

What’s wrong with us? As a species, we persist in lifestyles that are making us stressed, fat and sick. We continue to smoke and drink. We use violence as the primary way to resolve conflict. Through overconsumption, we continue to waste resources and energy. (Photo by Treehouse 1977, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)

Monopoly

Money Making and Money Giving

Ungodly and godly money making and money giving are key topics while many Christian churches gear up for November as “stewardship month.” As they and others face “budget-setting time,” multiple items netted from the public press and the internet beckon for attention. Martin E. Marty explores.

pew

America’s Decline in Church Attendance

Noted author, scholar, speaker and pastor, Martin E. Marty discusses the trend that is troubling leaders of churches across the land: dropping attendance. The short-term consequences are troubling enough, but the longer picture is scary.

Social Justice

Social Justice? Very Christian!

SOLI/Update for April 12-18, 2010 Are 68.1 million Americans connected with a Communist front movement?  Yes, if they are Roman Catholic.  Are another 20 million citizens listening to “coded” Nazi  messages?  Yes, if they are mainline Protestant.  Are tens of millions more in danger of being part of a similarly coded Fascist front?  Yes, if… Read more»

budget

Re-Timing the Annual Appeal

What’s so sacred about the yearly stewardship appeal that it has to happen in the last quarter of the calendar year? In some ways it’s the worst time, with Christmas coming up. Here are some ideas for rescheduling.

journey

Understanding the Dynamics of Faith

“If stewardship is really a faith issue, how do we understand the dynamics of faith?” So begins Keith Mundy in this essay about different stages of a faith journey. The ELCA’s Assistant Director for Stewardship offers a good starting point for further exploration.