Everybody wants their church grow, not just in donations and membership, but also in spiritual depth and breadth. Nourishing generosity is a key that can help unlock the potential, says this article from ChurchExecutive.com. Check out the links to other resources, as well. (Photo © laurent hamels – Fotolia.com)
“We need to create opportunities to give that enable us to appreciate our shared humanity,” says social psychologist Elizabeth Dunn. Research shows that giving to others does make us happier, but it matters how we help. Learn more by watching Dunn’s TED Talk and reimagine how you, too, can be a more joyful giver. (Photo: Kregg Steppe, Creative Commons)
Free and available to support any congregation’s ongoing education efforts, in every monthly “Stewardship Toolbox” you’ll find “cut and paste” RCL-based bulletin blurbs, a newsletter article and links to great resources. June’s Toolbox offers suggestions for developing a heart of generosity. From SOLI web editor Rob Blezard. (Photo © Les Cunliffe – Fotolia.com)
We tend to think of gratitude as a personal feeling that we can cultivate. But it’s also communal and social, says theologian Diana Butler Bass. In this Q&A from Faith & Ladership she reflects on the spiritual and ethical dimensions of the topic, described in her new book Grateful.
Want to increase your congregation’s capacity for generosity? Start with these six practices, and start right now. Don’t let fear or lack of experience get in the way of helping your community grow and flourish as radical stewards! From UNSeminary.com. (Photo: Irish, Creative Commons)
What does it mean to be a truly generous person? Wake Forest Professor of Philosophy Christian B. Miller believes that there’s much more involved besides giving time, talent, and resources. Generosity has a whole lot to do with attitude, empathy, and motivation, according to Miller. (Photo: Wikimedia, Creative Commons)
Research shows that gratitude is essential for happiness, but modern times have regressed gratitude into a mere feeling instead of retaining its historic value, a virtue that leads to action. Writer Robert Emmons explores the blocks to gratitude — and how to remove them! (Photo: Tiger Girl, Creative Commons)
What’s the difference between “stewardship” and “generosity”? Turns out the distinctions are many and profound, which is why many churches are switching their use of the term “stewardship” for “generosity.” Author and Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase reflects on the changes and offers a practical list of “dos” and “don’ts” for churches that want to cultivate […]
We know there are many reasons that people are generous, and now we also know that there is a perception gap between pastors and parishioners when it comes to giving and generosity. Here’s an enlightening read from The Barna Group that sheds light on the differences and offers food for thought about stewardship education and practice […]
Through the discipline of generosity we engage in the subversive kingdom ways of Jesus. The kingdom of God is more than just a simple reform of a flawed system. Jesus is calling us to move beyond mere improvements to existing structures, governments, economies, and cultures. The kingdom of God is an entirely new way to […]
