Benchmarks are useful for measuring progress or setting standards in lots of fields of endeavor, including athletics, work and education. Yet many Sunday schools and faith formation programs do not have benchmarks. For example, what can one expect a 12-year-old to know about the Bible? What about a 6-year-old? A 30-year-old? This article from buildingfaith.com explores […]
Think of all the offering dollars your church spends just to keep the building cool in the summer and hot in the winter! Certainly your congregation can use that money for better expenses, such as expanding mission and outreach! Now that summer’s here, it’s a good time to make your church energy efficient, and the […]
This is a great all-in-one resource for your congregation’s monthly stewardship communications. You’ll find “cut-and-paste” short “Stewardship Snippets” tied to the RCL readings for every Sunday’s bulletin, articles for your monthly newsletter or website. Not only that, you’ll find links for resources to “Teach,” “Preach,” “Lead,” “Think’, and “Do” stewardship. Prepared by SOLI web editor […]
For folks who an in-depth understanding of stewardship and how it relates to theology and church life, here’s a wonderful free series of six lessons that provide everything you need! Each lesson begins with a 15-minute video talk from Dr. Joel Biermann of Concordia Seminary and has a study guide to let you take it […]
Lent is a perfect time to embrace spiritual disciplines that will sharpen our awareness, clear our mind, strengthen our self-control and help bring us closer to God. This year, instead of the usual painless disciplines of giving up chocolate or swearing for Lent, consider a discipline that will challenge your will and make a big difference — financial giving.
The deadline is looming — March 15 — for applications in the latest funding round of the Stewardship of Life Institute’s grant program. SOLI grants provide money to help plan and implement projects to advance stewardship in the ELCA. Applications are submitted online. See details inside! (Photo by FrankieLeon, used by Creative Commons license.)
In her message, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes, “Christmas can carry so much emotional freight. We must be merry and filled with good cheer. We are driven to get everything perfect by the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve. We are filled with wistful longing. But what are we longing for?” Click to find […]
So your finance committee suggests a capital campaign and you want to make sure everybody is on the same page on what that’s all about? This FAQ from the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. (Photo by Stephen Yeargin, used by Creative Commons license)
A recent study suggests that American Christians don’t give away more money because they lack trust in the church. In response, here are 36 questions your church should be able to answer about money. Good policy builds trust and creates an environment for generosity to flourish. (Photo by Mark Willylis, used by Creative Commons license)
A federal judge’s ruling that the clergy housing allowance is unconstitutional simply brings to the surface the stark reality that laws governing clergy taxation are overly complicated and in need of reform, says this columnist from Forbes magazine. He explains why the housing allowance is hardly a bonanza for all but the most highly paid […]
