Blog Posts

M is for missio dei

By Mary Sue Dreier Missio Dei (Latin for “mission of God”) has become one of the catchphrases of the missional church conversation. The phrase itself has a story to tell which illustrates the insights, importance, and implications it has for our future as a church in mission. Missio Dei was coined to express the essence…

M is for missional church

From Craig Van Gelder’s book The Ministry of the Missional Church: A Community Led by the Spirit: The church is. The church does what it is. The church organizes what it does. The interrelationship of all three aspects is important to understand. The church is. The church’s nature provides the framework and foundation for understanding…

Pennies for God

Pennies for God

Mark 12: 41-44 This lesson uses pennies, the story of the Widow’s Mite or Offering and the Story about Stone Soup to show how even a small gift when added to the gifts of others can provide abundantly for all.   Participants will be asked to bring canned food for the local food shelf and…

Calculating the Cost

Calculating the Cost

Luke 19: 1-10 This lesson uses the story of Zacchaeus to look at giving a percentage of income to the poor. It will encourage participants to pledge giving a percentage of their allowance or income to the poor. It also teaches briefly about the terms, “tithe” and “benevolence.” The main idea of this lesson is…

Stewardship Lesson Overview

Stewardship Lesson Overview

This is an overview and guide for a series of three lessons on generosity of about 50-60 minutes. Each is created for mixed age groups containing adults, children and youth. LEADER’S GUIDE AND OVERVIEW Financial Stewardship Lesson Plans for Mixed Age Groups Created by Dr. Diane E. Shallue December 2008 INTRODUCTION This is a series…

Temple Talks

Temple Talks

Powerful temple talks occur when a respected member of the congregation speaks during a worship service conveying a spiritual message on how God has been present in their lives and how that has led to generosity.   Temple talks of this nature have literally been the key to significant changes in attitudes and behavior for…