More and more congregations are seeing that relying on just the money received in weekly donations from members to live into the mission God has called them into is no longer enough. Grace Duddy Pomroy of Luther Seminary explores some alternatives.
Breathe new life into the offering’s dry bones
At too many churches, the offering part of the service is the same as it was when grandma was a confirmand. But rather than cease the offering entirely, reboot it freshness and creativity to meet the needs and habits of a new generation. Grace Duddy Pomroy of Luther Seminary explains. (Photo:Don Brown, Creative Commons)
The ‘traditional’ and ’emerging’ paradigms of stewardship
What’s happening in congregational stewardship? Drawing on close to 20 years of observation with thousands of congregations, the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving identifies these different sets of values and practices as as traditional and emerging paradigms. From Luther Seminary. (Photo: Robert Couse-Baker, Creative Commons)
Reset your stewardship ministry amid Covid-19
The pandemic has turned our churches upside down, and it’s impossible to predict the short- and long-term financial stewardship implications. But it is clear that stewardship and generosity ministry must adapt and change. Luther Seminary’s stewardship newsletter offers some ideas. (Photo: Ged Carroll, Creative Commons)
Sailing together in these anxious times
While the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted ministries of churches across the world, the impact varies widely depending on the ministry context’s resources, preparedness, responses and other factors, argues Grace Duddy Pomroy, director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary. She shares her insights.
A shift in mindsets will help move folks into God’s generosity
What does it take to move your congregation into God’s amazing abundance and generosity? In this two-part essay, ELCA Pastor and stewardship leader Larry Strenge suggests three mindsets that we can cultivate to help our congregations go. Great ideas from Luther Seminary’s Center for Stewardship Leaders. (Oregon DOT, Creative Commons)
‘Why I Love Preaching Stewardship’
If you’re hesitant to talk about money in the pulpit, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a big taboo in a lot of congregations, and many preachers avoid it like the plague. In this insightful article David Lose, the noted author, speaker and scholar, describes the lessons that transformed him into a fan of talking about financial […]
Crowdfunding for Congregations and Nonprofits
Because the church has always funded its ministry through small gifts from a large number of people, crowdfunding is not too much of a stretch for congregations. Crowdfunding has gained a respectable status among the many ways to fund new ventures, whether business-related or charitable. Crowdfunding presents a clear opportunity for church-related giving to expand its focus, audience, vision, and reach. (Read more in this free download!) (Photo: James Cridland, Creative Commons)
Stewardship Basics in a Rural Setting
This article, written by Pastor Todd Nelson, is one of many valuable weekly newsletter offerings from the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary. Be sure to visit their website for this and other resources, as well as recordings from past Renewing Stewardship events.
Living in Abundance Lesson Series
The connection between stewardship and church mission and faith discipleship is pretty clear, but many of God’s people have simply never been taught. This three-lesson package, subtitled “Lessons in Generosity,” was prepared by faculty of Luther Seminary and will help adult learners understand key stewardship concepts. Includes PowerPoint presentations. (Photo by Monado, used by Creative Commons license)
