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Stewardship and Generosity from a Variety Aged to Use the Term Most Appropriate for Their Setting

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Stewardship and Generosity from a Variety Aged to Use the Term Most Appropriate for Their Setting STEWA R D S HIP A ND GENE R O S ITY SPECIAL REPO R T A PUBLICATION FROM THE CENTER FOR CONGREG A TIONS STEWA R D S HIP AND GENE R O S ITY is intended to provide information and resources to congregations to help their leaders focus more intentionally on stewardship. The Center for Congregations hopes that you will find this information useful in your work. hat resources can congregations use to teach their ing suggest that “generosity is a companion to the word Wmembers about giving? This question prompted stewardship.” Ruben Swint in Growing Generosity While the Center for Congregations to engage in a resource dis- Practicing Stewardship suggests that the terms are embraced covery process to find, evaluate and recommend resources differently by different generations. He proposes that the that congregations could use to focus more intentionally builders generation is more comfortable with the word on stewardship, not just at budget time, but year-round. stewardship, while younger generations respond more to the concept of generosity.1 Within the scope of this From late 2009 through early 2010, Christine B. Roush, research and report, the terms “stewardship” and “gener- researcher and author of this report, investigated available osity” were seen as interchangeable. The reader is encour- resources on stewardship and generosity from a variety aged to use the term most appropriate for their setting. of perspectives. The process of reviewing and evaluat- ing applicable resources led to the compilation of this list. There has been a shift in the field of stewardship educa- These excellent resources offer practical ways of talking tion over the past decade. Once seen as fundraising within about stewardship and generosity. This report offers the a faith tradition, recent scholarship has come to view best of what is out there including books, web resources, financial stewardship more accurately described as an media, persons and events. effort to develop people in their faith – creating a culture of generosity. It is an issue of spiritual development, rather To set the stage for the resources that are highlighted here, than simply an effort to fund worthy causes. it is important to acknowledge how the words “steward- ship” and “generosity” are used. Though stewardship is This report is divided into five sections, each reflecting now generally understood holistically as encompassing a type of resource. Within each category, resources are our “whole life” – all that we have been given by God in listed alphabetically, and categorized under either general terms of time, talent, financial resources, families, friends, or specialized. the very earth we live on – a more specific definition was used for the purposes of this report. Materials and resourc- The researcher includes a list of what she has determined es were purposely sought to help a congregation teach to be the top book and web resource available for use financial stewardship to congregations and to individuals. in congregations. Subjective by nature, it is nevertheless offered as a starting place for leaders or stewardship com- It would be appropriate to note that the term itself – stew- mittees looking for some good resources with which to ardship – comes with some baggage. It can instantly be begin the process of more fully addressing financial stew- associated with fall financial enlistment campaigns, every ardship in their settings. member canvases, and attempts to fund congregational budgets. With that in mind, some scholars and congrega- 1 Swint, Ruben. Growing Generosity While Practicing Stewardship: A Travel tions replace the word stewardship with the term “gener- Free Learning Article. [free online article]. Columbia, SC: Columbia Part- nership, March 8, 2010. http://colapartnership.posterous.com/growing- osity.” Other experts in the world of congregational giv- generosity-while-practicing-stewardship. RE S OU R CE S YOU CAN US E SECTION 1 BOOKS 3 GENERAL 3 AFRICAN AMERICAN 9 JEWISH 9 CATHOLIC 10 CHILDREN 12 TOP BOOKS 13 SECTION 2 WEB RESOURCES 14 JEWISH 16 CATHOLIC 16 CHILDREN 16 TOP WEBSITES 17 SECTION 3 MEDIA 17 DVDS AND VIDEO 17 OTHER RESOURCES 18 SECTION 4 CONSULTANTS 19 SECTION 5 EVENTS 19 Page 2 but would also make a good small group discussion Books and Articles book. Blue’s chapter “getting a fix on your finances” will be especially helpful to those who are trying to GENE R AL RE S OU R CE S plan for retirement, pay off debt, etc. His career as a Alcorn, Randy. Money, Possessions and Eternity. Carol financial planner adds weight to the section on giving Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2003. This is strategically and through the appropriate vehicles for a newly updated version of Alcorn’s classic study in ensuring the least tax implications. This is a valuable which he reflects on God’s word when it comes to resource for pastors to recommend to parishioners handling money. Alcorn seeks to offer Christians a contemplating their wills and estate plans. biblical view of money and possessions in light of their eternal plans. Alcorn’s conservative voice and pro-life Borg, Richard A. The Chief Steward: How to Lead Your stance will not appeal to everyone, but his reflections Congregation to Excel in Financial Stewardship. provide opportunity to ponder one’s own beliefs and Longwood, FL: Xulon Press, 2008. Borg identifies each understanding of God’s expectations in relation to our pastor as the “chief steward” – they are to “lead the earthly possessions. This book is a good reference for master’s stewards in obedient and effective financial leaders seeking broader understanding of stewardship stewardship.” Using this definition, he then recom- principles. mends resources for the task. Abundantly citing scrip- ture to illustrate his points, Borg offers rationale and Blomberg, Craig L. Heart, Soul and Money: A Christian view methodology for returning the church to wise manage- of Possessions. Joplin, MO: College Press, 2000. A useful ment of all God’s abundant blessings. This book is a Bible study on questions of stewardship, this book pro- good read for every pastor, and lay leaders will find vides a small group study that delivers solid biblical much to commend within it as well. teaching in a readable format. Questions at the end of each chapter allow for discussion and further reflec- Callahan, Kennon L. Giving and Stewardship in an Effective tion. The format lends itself to use by a Sunday School Church: A Guide for Every Member. Hoboken, NJ: Jossey- class or small groups wishing to explore what the Bible Bass, 1997. Some books are so on target as to never has to say about issues of generosity. lose their ability to teach us, and Callahan’s is just such a book. A classic in stewardship and fundraising, Blomberg, Craig L. Neither Poverty nor Riches: A Biblical Callahan builds the case for the critical links between Theology of Possessions. Downers Grove, IL: IVP money, mission and healthy churches. In an easy to Academic, 2001. In this book, Blomberg lays out his understand format, Callahan lays out the steps for rais- Biblical theology of possessions from which his small ing more money in the local church by creating gener- group study Heart, Soul and Money was later written. ous people focused on ministry and mission. Chapters Pastors searching for a better understanding of the focus on the topics of the principles, possibilities and importance of stewardship will find this a valuable motivations for giving, as well as providing work- addition to their libraries. sheets to help churches assess their current situation. Blue, Ron. Generous Living: Finding Contentment through Christopher, J. Clif. Not Your Parents Offering Plate: A Giving. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997. As one of New Vision for Financial Stewardship. Nashville, TN: the masters in the field of generosity and giving, Blue Abingdon Press, 2008. This book explains that people is worth reading. Generous Living is no exception. This don’t often give to churches because congregations book is perhaps most useful for individuals wrestling don’t give them a compelling vision of the good it will with the concepts of generosity and stewardship, do. Written with the needs of pastors and stewardship Page 3 teams in mind, Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate provides often reflects what we believe, and goes on to examine practical guidance to all who seek to help God’s peo- the history of the offering in worship. This book makes ple be better stewards of their resources. a good resource for an adult study or a church board that wants to take stew- Clark, Wayne B. Beyond ardship, discipleship Fundraising: A and mission seriously. Complete Guide to Congregational CSS Publishing. Stewardship. Boston, From Every Angle: MA: Unitarian A Compendium of Universalist Stewardship Resources. Association, 2007. Lima, OH: CSS Written through Publishing, 2000. the language Designed to fit in a of a Unitarian three ring binder, this Universalist, Beyond packet is a comprehen- Fundraising has gems sive stewardship guide in it to fit the needs filled with a variety of of every faith tradition. Beginning with wise counsel resources for teaching stewardship in a congregation. about truths and myths of giving, Clark invites congre- Sermons, object lessons, temple talks, monthly stew- gations to move from “the restrictive myth of scarcity” ardship committee agenda outlines, annual steward- to “a reality of abundance.” Chapters range from using ship drive materials, skits and more. If a congregation consultants to the various types of stewardship cam- is searching for ideas, or wishing to build a year round paign. This book is one of the few fundraising books program of stewardship education, they could get a lot that offer insights and plans for strategic planning, of mileage out of these materials.
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