Creating Congregations of Generous People

Creating Congregations of Generous People
Author: Michael Durall
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 149
Release: 1999-12-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1566995027

Asking parishioners for money is very different from creating congregations of generous people. In this provocative book, stewardship consultant Michael Durall argues convincingly that annual pledge drives inadvertently perpetuate low-level and same-level giving in congregations. Written with the voice of experience, this book will help clergy and lay leaders initiate and sustain effective stewardship programs. Durall believes that asking for money eventually becomes routine, even tedious-but creating a congregation of generous people becomes ever more meaningful with passing time.

Creating Congregations of Generous People

Creating Congregations of Generous People
Author: Michael Durall
Publisher: Alban Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1999
Genre: Christian giving
ISBN: 9781566992206

Asking parishioners for money is very different from creating congregations of generous people. In this provocative book, stewardship consultant Michael Durall argues convincingly that annual pledge drives inadvertently perpetuate low-level and same-level giving in congregations. Written with the voice of experience, this book will help clergy and lay leaders initiate and sustain effective stewardship programs. Durall believes that asking for money eventually becomes routine, even tedious-but creating a congregation of generous people becomes ever more meaningful with passing time.

Contagious Generosity

Contagious Generosity
Author: Chris Willard
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2012-07-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310893143

The general practices related to church funding aren’t producing the same results they have in the past. There is a general acceptance that something has changed but little talk or interest is coming from traditional church leader training sources such as denominational entities and seminaries. Pastors are largely left to their own devices to “figure this out.” They need a lifeline. While some churches are experiencing exponential growth, some churches - despite their best efforts - have been unsuccessful at moving beyond survival mode. Coupled with increased competition from other nonprofits and a decline in the commitment to give to the church first, churches risk losing the funding they need. A growing number of leaders are beginning to discover there is another way and are struggling to understand what makes one church generous and another not. There is a need in the market to offer a simple, working definition of “generosity” and reveal the “secrets” some church leaders seem to have simply stumbled upon which are resulting in unexplainable ministry growth and unprecedented church funding even in the midst of tough economic times. The content of this material was developed and refined by Jim Sheppard and Chris Willard through years of ministry leadership in the local church, consulting with church leaders across a broad spectrum of church settings, and through participation in and leadership of the Generous Church Leadership Community facilitated by Leadership Network. Of particular benefit will be the collection of observations and best practices gleaned during the Generous Church Leadership Community that originated within real-life church leadership situations and scenarios by highlighting specific challenges, methods, and successes.

Generous People

Generous People
Author: Eugene Grimm
Publisher:
Total Pages: 164
Release: 1992
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780687140459

"Stewardship is a Biblical imperative for all Christians. . . . Grimm cuts through the clouds of confusion that surround this subject. His down-to-earth prescriptions (1) move us beyond the myths so prevalent in stewardship, (2) help us know how to organize, energize, and equip local stewardship leaders, and (3) enable us to see how we can effectively execute stewardship programs in churches of every size".--Herb Miller (from the Foreword).

Generous Justice

Generous Justice
Author: Timothy Keller
Publisher: Penguin Books
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2012-08-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1594486077

Keller explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace.

An Introduction to Ministry

An Introduction to Ministry
Author: Ian S. Markham
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 294
Release: 2016-01-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 047067329X

An Introduction to Ministry is a comprehensive and ecumenical introduction to the craft of ministry for ministers, pastors, and priests that make up the mainline denominations in the United States. Ecumenically-focused, It offers a grounded account of ministry, covering areas such as vocation, congregational leadership, and cultivation of skills for an effective ministry. Covers the key components of the M.Div. curriculum, offering a map and guide to the central skills and issues in training Explores the areas of vocation, skills for ministry, and issues around congregational leadership Each topic ends with an annotated bibliography providing an indispensable gateway to further study Helps students understand both the distinctive approach of their denomination and the relationship of that approach to other mainline denominations Advocates and defends a generous understanding of the Christian tradition in its openness and commitment to broad conversation

Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel

Envisioning the Congregation, Practicing the Gospel
Author: John W. Stewart
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2015-06-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467443247

This accessible and instructive book is designed to equip lay leaders of Protestant churches to better envision and practice gospel-driven ministry and mission in contemporary society. Seasoned pastor and practical theologian John Stewart presents and explains five biblically mandated, foundational practices for being and nurturing the church: fellowship, discipleship, witness, service, and worship. Stewart argues that these five practices are normative, indispensable, and doable for congregations that seek to remain faithful to their risen Lord, and he offers memorable, achievable models of ways they are already being used in current mainline congregations.

Generous Saints

Generous Saints
Author: James Hudnut-Beumler
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 128
Release: 1999-12-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1566995329

A constructive theology and ethics of money in the Christian life, this series addition is by James Hudnut-Beumler, dean and associate professor of religion and culture at Columbia Theological Seminary, and deals with vital questions. "What does the Lord require? what is the true meaning of the term 'commonwealth?' and how does the church build a stable base for its members to live ethical lives?" A positive approach to forming the basis for new thought and discussion.

Called to Lead

Called to Lead
Author: Anthony B. Robinson
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2012-07-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467436178

Following up on their previous volume, Called to Be Church: The Book of Acts for a New Day, biblical scholar Robert Wall and pastoral leader Anthony Robinson here join forces again. Featuring both exegetical study and dynamic contemporary exposition, each chapter of Called to Lead first interprets the text of 1 and 2 Timothy as Scripture and then engages 1 and 2 Timothy for today's church leaders. The book covers many vexing issues faced by church leaders then and now -- such issues as the use of money, leadership succession, pastoral authority, and the role of Scripture. Through it all, Called to Lead shows how Timothy remains a text of great value for the church today

Creating Generous Congregations

Creating Generous Congregations
Author: David L. Heetland
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2020-07-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1725259877

A problem facing many churches today is the lack of strong leadership in the area of stewardship, particularly the stewardship of financial resources. Church leaders—clergy and laity—have had little or no training in this area, and they feel uncomfortable and embarrassed in encouraging financial support for the church’s ministries. Failure to provide decisive leadership in this area has had negative consequences for the church, including a decreasing percentage of charitable dollars directed toward churches and a growing lack of understanding among church members of the relationship between giving and spiritual growth. Creating Generous Congregations is written to assist church leaders in gaining necessary expertise in the stewardship of financial resources, so that persons will be invited to grow spiritually and the various ministries of the church will flourish.