Gratitude and the Simplicity Movement
This week we conclude our gratitude series with, well, gratitude to our fine contributors. As the series has gone on, I’ve been working a side project stu... Read more.
For this, I give thanks
I know several families who, after Thanksgiving dinner, go around the table and invite each person to share something for which they are thankful. My family nev... Read more.
The Ancient Art of Thanking
Throwback culture is quite popular these days. Retro fashion is in. My grandfather’s plaid shirts and wool caps are cool again. But to take the cake, at my lo... Read more.
Chuck Knows Church
I think I first ran across the video resource Chuck Knows Church on a friend’s Facebook page. After just a few clicks, I bookmarked the website as a handy... Read more.
Stewardship in the Shadow of the Shema
I have a brother who is five years younger than I am. Growing up, I remember when he got to the “why phase.” Whenever my parents would ask us to do somethin... Read more.
A Gratitude Campaign
I don’t remember most of the gifts I received for my high school graduation. In fact, I’m not sure I can remember any … except for one: a beautiful se... Read more.
What the Global Church Can Teach Us About Stewardship (Part 2)
Many stewardship conversations consider the question what’s possible? What’s possible for our mission and ministry? What’s possible to do with... Read more.
What the Global Church Can Teach Us About Stewardship (Part 1)
When I was in seminary, I was required to take an “Alternative Context” course. At the time, we had programs deep in the Appalachian Mountains, and ... Read more.
Reclaiming the Testimony
Many congregations are currently in the midst of planning or implementing an annual stewardship program of one sort or another. Such campaigns will have a lot o... Read more.
On Why People Give Money to Their Church
One of the joys of teaching at Luther Seminary is the opportunity to learn from my fantastic colleagues. This week Matthew Skinner, Professor of New Testament, ... Read more.
The Great Login In the Sky
The Funding the Next Church series has been a great joy to organize, and I’m very grateful to our six fine writers. Today, our final article in the series... Read more.
Flipping the Funding Model
For the last four weeks, our series Funding the Next Church has featured articles by leaders of new worshipping communities. These leaders have described new vi... Read more.
From Consumption to Collaboration
I grew up in a congregation established in 1832. As a child, I loved looking through the old book on that congregation’s history, slowly turning the pages... Read more.
Humbly Walking for Seven Years, And…
This week marks the beginning of a new multi-week series: Funding the Next Church. Lost in our squabbling over established churches, in recent years many mainli... Read more.
Because of God’s Great Mercy
Leading congregations to embrace stewardship is hard work. Ultimately, this work is about changing the culture of conversation, theology, and practice concernin... Read more.
Transparency: How much, how little, and to whom?
In my first few weeks at Luther, they were many people I was eager to meet. Near the top of the list was Ren? Mehlberg, a student worker and teaching assistant ... Read more.
What is Generosity?
Last week the Center for Stewardship Leaders hosted a conference on the topic: Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity. We did so in partnership with the... Read more.
Readiness to Learn
Today’s article reflects on my transition to Luther Seminary, and some wisdom discovered in old files. In the coming weeks the newsletter will feature oth... Read more.
What is Most Important?
Today Gerry Rafftery and I say farewell to all of you who receive this weekly newsletter. We are grateful for the work you do in bringing stewardship into a foc... Read more.
Coming Attractions
Today’s article is meant for those who escort the Word into the gathered worshipping communities each week. Between June 28 and October 11 there are six p... Read more.
When Jesus Talks About Money
Today we take a look at Jesus’ focus on our relationship to money and possessions as a matter of importance as we steward resources God has provided for G... Read more.