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.

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.

Abundance

Abundance
Author: Michael R. Ward
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 209
Release: 2020-01-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1506461425

This book by pastor and certified fund raising executive (CFRE) Michael R. Ward provides church leaders a resource to lead their congregations to a new culture of generosity and abundance that raises more money as well as more disciples. Written specifically with pastors, congregation councils, finance committees, and stewardship teams in mind, this book encourages and guides a process of study, reflection, and action that is clear and practical. Ward taps into years of experience fundraising in the nonprofit sector to address the ongoing challenges of financing ministry. His goal is to empower congregations and other nonprofit organizations to expect and plan for generosity. The book moves from grounding stewardship ministry biblically and theologically to setting up the basic building blocks for strong stewardship, including board development, stewardship planning, and strategic planning. From there, it addresses practical tactics, such as case development, communication, donor mentality, roadblocks, volunteers, and steps to a gift. Real-life stories and examples of growing stewardship programs and capital campaigns are provided along with practical hands-on tools to help groups plan, develop, and implement stewardship plans.

Giving Generously

Giving Generously
Author: Rod Irvine
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2015-01-15
Genre: Christian giving
ISBN: 9781921577284

This book is written to be useful so that churches will grow strong and healthy. It is also to help ministers and church leaders know practical steps to raise money for ministry and create a unified, joyful congregation in the process. Rod Irvine describes four foundational principles in Chapter 1. The rest of the book then expands on those principles. While it is intended to be extremely practical, good practice in ministry must also be based on a solid foundation.Principle 1 explains the crucial role of the minister (chapter 2). Principle 2 is devoted to vision because money follows vision (chapter 3). Principle 3 lays the theological foundation for generosity and raising money. I have tried to integrate a theology of money under the practical heading of generosity (chapters 4-6). The theology is set out in this way so it can be preached and communicated easily. Principle 4 is the most practical section, explaining how to ask a congregation to support the ministry financially (chapters 7-16).

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.

Practicing Extravagant Generosity

Practicing Extravagant Generosity
Author: Robert C. Schnase
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 101
Release: 2011
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426728557

Help implant the heart of giving within a congregation.

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.

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.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Author: Robert Schnase
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2011-12-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426713533

People are searching for a church shaped and sustained by Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity. These fundamental practices are critical to the success of congregations. Their presence and strength demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. By repeating and improving these practices, churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Robert Schnase astutely weaves theological insight, practical advice, and exemplary stories into an inspiring book for pastors and laity alike. —L. Gregory Jones, Dean and Professor of Theology, Duke Divinity School Robert Schnase’s words are thoughtful, provocative, and challenging. Any congregation will find encouragement and insight to deepen faithfulness and multiply fruitfulness. —Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary Stimulating. Challenging. Uniquely helpful. Bishop Schnase gives us powerful language, rich examples, and practical suggestions for fulfilling the mission God gives us. —Janice Riggle Huie, Bishop of the Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church