Deepening divisions in our country are making our jobs as congregational leaders much harder. We have to speak prophetically, speak the truth, be faithful to the Gospel, yet not push our people away or split the congregation. Exhausting work? Oh yeah! Writer Amy Butler says self care is imperative. How are you doing? (Photo: Lululemon […]
Here’s a brainy, in-depth look at the ethics of big-dollar philanthropy. The New Yorker‘s Elizabeth Kolbert looks at the issue from the days of Andrew Carnegie to the present and questions whether ultra-rich donors achieve the positive results they purport to desire. (Photo: Mykl Roventine, Creative Commons)
The way most church leaders approach budgeting may not yield the best results for congregation because it focuses on income and expenditures, NOT on goals and ministry priorities. What’s a congregational leader to do? This article from Logan Leadership has some suggestions. (Photo: Werner_Hahn, Creative Commons)
Wildfires in the West, flooding in the East, record temperatures around the world. 2018 is shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record, and scientists project things will get only worsex And yet 2018’s crises show just how unprepared we are for climate change. From the New York Times. (Photo: Takver, Creative […]
Money is a leading cause of stress, and it seems everyone wishes they earned just a little more. But control over money has less to do with how much we make, and a lot more to do with how we manage what we have. As followers of Christ, we need to get a handle on […]
Stewardship Pastor Dave Briggs offers five essential insights about stewardship insights that you should be teaching, preaching, and living in your ministry context. Doing so, he says, will help you build a healthy stewardship culture and a healthier church. (Photo: OTA Photos, Creative Commons)
Scripture reminds us to rest, to take time apart, and to live in Christ. But we often resist God’s call to cease our frenzied pace, take a deep breath, and recharge. Author and counselor Lisa Murray makes a good case for why rest is essential for our physical health and spiritual well-being. (Photo: Meagan, Creative […]
Develop a healthy culture of stewardship and generosity in your congregation through consistent communication, education, leadership and action. The Stewardship Toolbox can help! This month’s free newsletter article and resources center on Stewardship of Our Work. Adopt it as a monthly theme in your church. (Photo: Dylan Foley, Creative Commons)
It’s an all-around win when a church becomes a “Cool Congregation” to save energy, cut greenhouse gas emissions and free up money in the process. Interfaith Power & Light’s “Cool Congregation” program can show you how to mobilize God’s people to get involved in caring for God’s creation. (Photo: Michael Coghlan, Creative Commons)
Money! It can motivate us, enrich us, and certainly frustrate us. We cannot live without it today. And if we’re not careful it can take us over. Fortunately, as people of faith, we have tools to help moderate the way money can take over our thoughts, says this article from Beliefnet.
