You don’t need a capital campaign, a high-priced consultant or building project to grow giving in your congregation. You need creativity, planning and smooth execution. This article from Church Leaders gives you 10 ideas. (Photo: Creative Commons)





By Rob Blezard


By Rob Blezard

How we manage God’s money is a central biblical subject of extreme importance, writes stewardship author Randy Alcorn. Hence, leaders should unapologetically address financial stewardship with the people God calls us to serve. Check out Alcorn’s ideas in churchleaders.com. (Photo: Deb Nystrom, Creative Commons)


By Rob Blezard


By Rob Blezard

For most of us walking into the sanctuary on Sunday morning is as familiar as walking into our living room. But it’s not that way for many of our congregations’ first-time visitors. The more you can anticipate visitors questions, the better the chances that your first-time visitors won’t be your last-time visitors. From ChurchLeaders.com. (Photo […]


By Rob Blezard


By Rob Blezard

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)


By Rob Blezard

It’s hard for regular churchgoers when Easter arrives and the church is crowded with all those pesky “Creasters” — folks who come only on Christmas and Easter — as well as the curious visitors. Here, from ChurchLeaders.com, are 12 ways to make sure those heathens never come back. (Photo © Winston Health, used by Creative Commons […]



The comparison between microwaves and Crock-Pots can teach us a lot about ministry and church growth. Specifically, do you want to have a “Microwave Ministry” or a “Crock-Pot Church”? Microwaves are good for a lot of things, chiefly convenience. If we are going to have churches that are healthy, growing, vital and reaching God’s people, we need to resist “microwave” solutions and aim for “crock-pot” solutions. (Photo by Alex Schultz, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)


By Rob Blezard

Ministers are notoriously overburdened, but handling our load may be hampered by ingrained work habits that do not serve us well. In this article Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, explains how he gets more done in less time by following simple rules for work. (Photo by BinaryApe, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)

Embracing stewardship through discipleship

The Stewardship of Life Institute (SOLI) is based at the Gettysburg, PA Campus of United Lutheran Seminary. Our mission is to serve stewardship in the ELCA through its seminaries.