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 Lake Institute on Faith and Giving and ELCA churchwide stewardship ministry. Many hands went into making the event a grand success, and I’m so very grateful to my colleagues, and…
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 other voices and new series, but in the short-term, I’ll author a few in the hopes that we might become better acquainted–electronically, at least. Yours truly, Adam J. Copeland, Director Center…
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 focus that is Christ centered and vital to the mission of each congregation….and home. While we say farewell we also greet our new Director, Adam Copeland….
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 preaching opportunities in the Revised Common Lectionary to address our relationship to money and possessions. I have listed the six texts with a few comments as an encouragement. One…
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 God’s people. Blessings, Glenn Taibl, Co-Director Center for Stewardship Leaders Luther Seminary When Jesus Talks About Money Glenn Taibl When Jesus talks about money and possessions, the…
Today’s writer is a second year seminary student who is discovering an increasing number of links between our daily lives and the call to be good stewards. He invites us to see stewardship as a continuum in all that we do. Blessings, Glenn Taibl, Co-Director Center for Stewardship Leaders Luther Seminary Stewardship Lessons: From Environmental…
Two weeks ago we blessed and graduated students who have invested themselves in the work of preparing for the ministry of the Gospel Jesus Christ. They have learned much and they have taught us much. Today’s open letter is addressed to the students who will begin their seminary journey this Fall and it offers sage…
We found a variety of messages about “Giving” and Stewardship on congregational websites. One of our presenters for the Center’s stewardship course, Money and the Mission of the Church, shared a great suggestion for a congregation’s website. These are some core values you may wish to include. Blessings, Glenn Taibl, Co-Director Center for Stewardship Leaders…
We took a look at a number of congregation websites to see how they have provided for online giving. One pastor said there are Sundays in the summer months when online giving surpasses offering plate collection. Online giving must be something worth our attention. Today’s writer shares some thoughts about online options. Blessings, Glenn Taibl,…
We asked several excellent stewardship leaders what counsel they would offer to seminary graduates who will soon be called upon to provide financial stewardship guidance in their new congregational settings. Our writers have served well in leadership roles and continue to be called upon in support of ministries in a variety of settings. Our writer…
Seminary Seniors will be graduating this month with the anticipation of their First Call. We have asked several experienced Pastors, who have been excellent stewardship leaders, to share their counsel on what they believe are some things to be thinking about as a First Call Pastor engages in stewardship ministry. Blessings, Glenn Taibl, Co-Director Center…
As I move about our campus I visit with Senior students who are in their final weeks of classes as they prepare for graduation, call process, ordination and First Call. What excitement ……and anxiousness! Stewardship leadership is one of the things they are thinking about. I encourage them to find a good coach, a Pastor…
I have had several conversations this past month with Pastors working with their congregation’s leadership in the early stages of making plans for a Capital Appeal. We have written articles in this newsletter about choosing the right Consultant for capital appeals but we haven’t talked about the importance of the “Case Statement” in the development…
Today we conclude our four-part series on the Stewardship of Creation with an article that anchors our identity and purpose as stewards within the scriptural witness. Look for the ways in which we work-till-serve and guard as God’s stewards. Please enjoy creation’s gifts as our northern readers witness the return of life to fields and…
Stewardship as the management of all of life with Christ at the center includes our relationship to creation. Today’s writer helps us explore what happens when the Stewardship of creation is not marginalized in the congregation’s ministry as an after thought but becomes part of our discerned mission. Blessings, Glenn Taibl, Co-Director Center for Stewardship…
