I’m here to find resources that can help me innovate faithfully and renew Christian communities.
This semester I’m teaching a class called, “Starting New Missional Ministries,” a course on new church development and the redevelopment of struggling congregations. We read scripture (Acts particularly) and the latest missional church literature. We also have class visitors who are beginning congregations themselves. And, wouldn’t you know, the topic of money and finances comes…
When you were growing up who invested in you? I can think of many adults — coaches, teachers, neighbors — but, the strongest folks who come to mind had some connection with the church. In today’s article, Nancy Lee Gauche considers what these sorts of investments mean for children and youth. And, given their impact,…
I have no idea how much cash is in my wallet. I spend cash, maybe, once a month. Just today, though, I used my phone to buy coffee and pay for groceries. I also have several automated electronic payments set up to charities. And, finally as of November, my congregation allows me to give via…
Few names are more closely associated with faith-related generosity than that of the Reverend William G. Enright, Founding Karen Lake Buttrey Director Emeritus of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and former senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. I was lucky enough to sit at Bill’s feet in one of his final…
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…even (and especially?) stewardship. Yet, it’s not written in the Bible that stewardship campaigns must take place in the fall. In today’s post, Pastor Cader Howard shares how his congregation used to approach stewardship, as well as the newfound freedom discovered…
I’m pleased to introduce a new member of the CSL team, Catherine Malotky. Well, I’ll actually let her introduce herself in the post below! Catherine comes (back) to Luther Seminary with a wealth of experience tackling the financial challenges of leadership in the church. It’s a pleasure to now work with Catherine on Luther’s efforts…
We’ve combed through the hymnals of several denominations to select our favorite stewardship-related hymns.
Stewardship doesn’t magically begin at age 18, or when one begins one’s first job, or upon graduation from college. In fact, in today’s post from Tammy Wilkinson, we find many ways stewardship can be embraced from early childhood onwards. I don’t remember the first time I thought about giving in church, and I think that’s…
I was recently approached by a congregation looking for advice on advertising. You see, they wanted more people to attend their church and give money to their budget. So, they figured, I might have some insight about the places young families went on the internet to search for information about churches. I ended up having…
Stewardship calls us to share. Sure, there’s the money part of sharing, but really, stewardship is much more than that — sharing our spiritual gifts, our time, our listening ear, our very selves with others. When stewardship is working well it becomes cycle of sharing, one person touched by God’s action in their life inspires…
Years ago, I was having coffee at a café in the shadow of a large, historic congregation. I struck up a conversation with the barista who eventually asked what I was doing in the neighborhood. I explained I was meeting the pastor of the church next door. “Oh, really?” she replied, “I had no idea…
Scrolling through my Facebook feed last week, I saw a short video of a lion cub learning to roar. In its very cute, yet powerful way, the cub was discovering the potential majesty hidden in its vocal chords. This week’s newsletter is about voice and stewardship. Pastor Sarah Renfro, whom I met at a stewardship…
Stewardship isn’t just for adults. Yet, in many of our congregations, we put off teaching about stewardship until young adulthood. I don’t think that practice is borne of bad intentions. It’s just that, for many of us, teaching stewardship to children requires a bit of extra thought and careful practice. In today’s article, Minner Serovy…
I first met — and was impressed by — the Rev. Karl Travis when he spoke at a stewardship conference, and I’ve been following his stewardship wisdom ever since. In today’s post, Karl calls out several reasons pastors hesitate to address money in our ministry. Not stopping there, however, he then describes how essential it…
Fall brings its own sets of tasks for Minnesotans — raking leaves, storing the lawn mower, getting that trusty snow shovel ready once again. It can also be a time to consider the bounty of the summer. In today’s post, Lee Ann Pomrenke reflects on her recent experience being a part of a CSA. As…
