I recently read — get this — a non-churchy book! Before I got too impressed with myself, though, I soon realized the book has everything to do with stewardship in Christian communities. Below you’ll find my review of Alissa Quart’s new book, Squeezed: Why Our Families Can’t Afford America. As you’ll see, in many ways…
Last week, Erin Weber-Johnson called us to be mindful of the particular people who we’re inviting to give. This week, Erin shares how such an approach can face challenges given the brokenness of our institutions. She also suggests ways we might counteract these gaps by asking better questions. Intrigued? Read on. Yours truly, Adam Copeland,…
When I was newly ordained, I had an unexpected opportunity to preach at a large youth conference. As part of my preparation for the event I asked a mentor — a frequent speaker and marvelous preacher himself — for advice. He said, whenever he speaks at a youth conference, he picks out a particular youth…
In this week’s post, Larry Strenge suggests some practical ways pastors and other stewardship leaders might engage in conversations concerning money. Very helpfully, Larry shifts the focus from the problematic side of money and the church—shame, guilt, obligation—to the freedom, grace, and gifts we have from God. Stewardship, then, becomes a grateful response to God’s…
In today’s post, pastor Larry Strenge considers stewardship leadership and rural ministry settings. His wise words, though, are relevant to all of us, urban, suburban, and rural Christians alike. I particularly appreciate how Larry’s story starts with an early memory around money and giving. What are your early memories around finances? How do they still…
I’ve always been a huge fan of church leadership conferences. Well, last summer Luther Seminary continued our tradition of hosting a Rethinking Stewardship conference. If you couldn’t make it, we’ve got you covered with today’s post which includes links to ten video presentations from Rethinking Stewardship. We know it’s not always possible to attend in…
In many churches about this time of year, stewardship teams kick into high gear composing stewardship communications. Pastors also start to search the internet for stewardship sermon ideas and illustrations. Well, I hope today’s post might help inform both those activities. In it, the Reverend Lisa Cressman suggests that avoiding money-talk hurts more than our…
In the stewardship course I teach, one assignment invites students to “design from scratch” stewardship practices for a new congregation. In other words, students try to step back from the inherited practices of the church, and for a moment, at least, imagine new ones. Of course, the assignment is a bit dangerous — tradition and…
For many of us, the tradition of collecting the offering in baskets is deeply etched in our early worship memories. In fact, I share a particular experience with Martha Moore-Keish, this week’s writer. We both came to the faith in the old pews of First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Martha is one of those…
When it comes to the topic of financial wellness resources, the challenge isn’t a lack of information. In fact, it’s just the opposite. There are so many resources out there that they can overwhelm. Well, we at the Center for Stewardship Leaders have narrowed the list for you, at least in the case of personal…
Last week, Becca Ehrlich introduced the concept of minimalism, noting its connection to Christian values. In this week’s post, Becca takes the story deeper — reflecting on Jesus’ message, and where that message took her and her relationship with things (and shopping). I’m grateful for Becca’s testimony, even as it pushes me to realign my…
Summer is often a time for moving. I remember my first moving truck — it was the smallest the company offered, and we didn’t get close to filling it. Now, after buying a home and filling it up, I’m not even sure we could fit all our things in a single U-Haul. In today’s post…
Sometimes I like to play a word association game with church groups. It all goes fine until I get to the word, “stewardship.” Let’s just say…the church has work to do to reclaim the deep potential, and holy tradition, of the word. Today’s post by pastor Byron Wade takes up the challenge. By considering the…
Learning by doing. It’s a simple concept, yet so much of our approach to faith life gets caught up in the theoretical. Or, for stewardship leaders, the spreadsheets and budget projections. In today’s post, Pastor Elizabeth Lovell Milford reminds us of the joy of giving. Particularly, how can we teach — and learn from —…
“Compound interest,” the old quote goes, “is the eighth wonder of the world.” Or, humanities’ “greatest invention.” But why? Well, it may be because humans don’t usually think in day-by-day, slow-and-steady terms. We yearn for moon shots, not tiny gains that add up over time. In today’s piece, Pastor Ross Reddick explores the concept of…
