Thanksgiving comes every fourth Thursday in November, but thanking God for our blessings is a spiritual discipline that should not be limited to a single day. Giving thanks is as essential to our spiritual growth as prayer. Here are some creative ideas not only to develop an attitude of thankfulness but also to reach out to our neighbors.
What are the key points to emphasize about congregational stewardship? This handy PowerPoint presentation covers the ground handily from a Lutheran perspective, but is easily adaptable for any context. Posted on the website of the Metropolitan D.C. Synod of the ELCA.
What’s the deal about tithing? Is it a biblical mandate, a generous response or an outdated measure for giving? This FAQ from the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis provides answers. (Photo by Raymond Bryson, used by Creative Commons license)
The question comes up eventually in about every church: Should the pastor know what each family gives? There are certainly pros and cons to both sides of the issue, as this article from the Episcopal Church Foundation points out. (Photo by TaxRebate.org.uk, used by permission)
Healthy pastors lead healthy churches, but we all know that some pastors do not take the time or effort that can optimize their wellbeing. Here are some keys to being a healthy pastor. How many can you begin working on this week? From ChurchLeaders.com. (Photo by Joshua Smith, used by Creative Commons license)
How do you understand stewardship? Have you thought through the issues involved in faith and giving? Here is a handy guide that will help you develop a theology of stewardship that is right for your context. From the United Methodist Foundation for the Memphis and Tennessee Conferences. (Photo (c) Keren Tan, ShareAlike License)
A spreadsheet-style budget tells nothing about your congregation’s ministries. Instead, the United Church of Christ suggests preparing a narrative budget with color photos, and they have links to some creative examples. (Photo by Wendi Kelly, used by Creative Commons license)
It’s good for the environment, and it’s good for the church budget — in the long run. Read about how faithful Christians installed solar panels for their church, from Lutherans Restoring Creation. Could it work at your house of worship? (Photo by Michael Coghlan, used by Creative Commons license)
It’s important to plan for how you’ll allocate your financial resources for each month of the year. This process, commonly known as a budget or spending plan, won’t take long to develop but will pay great rewards throughout the year. This article, posted on LifeWay, can help you budget. (Photo by Chris Potter, used by […]
When the economic downturn came, one pastor decided to confront the stewardship issue head-on with a preaching series aimed at helping his members see their lives from the standpoint of God’s abundance — not the world’s. In Preaching Today the pastor shares how he crafted his series and why. (Photo by Ben Husmann, used by […]
