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The world is changing. 

Stay up to date on the latest research, resources, and reflections exploring how to cultivate Christian faith in the 21st century. 

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Apr. 16, 2019

Seeds of Generosity

The assumption goes that congregation members can support the salaries of their leaders. But that’s not necessarily the case with prison ministries, college ministries, and ministries focused on people experiencing homelessness. In today’s post, campus ministry leader Rev. Sarah Hooker explains her approach to inviting members to support college ministry. As Sarah explains, the invitation to give has a catch.
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Apr. 09, 2019

Pounding on the Pulpit

What if people were inspired by love at the thought of stewardship, instead of sighing with exasperation? After all, isn’t stewardship ultimately about God’s love for us and the ways we might respond in the world God loves? This week, Megan Torgerson reveals the concrete nature of that connection, saying love grounds our vocation — stewardship included. Yours truly, Adam
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Apr. 02, 2019

Capital Success

One of the assignments I give students in our Money & the Mission of the Church class invites them to imagine stewardship from scratch. I invite them — using the power of imagination — to consider what the “ideal” form of stewardship would be in a church they could invent in their mind’s eye. Where does the money go? How
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Mar. 26, 2019

Tithed & Tired vs “Storied & Inspired”

For many Christians, the word “stewardship” seems like a gilded demand for “tithing,” giving 10% of one’s income to a local congregation. It may surprise you, but I’m not really a fan of tithing. In addition to being biblically suspect, tithing lacks thoughtful practicality, given what we know about people’s varying giving levels. At last year’s Rethinking Stewardship conference, I
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Mar. 19, 2019

Strategic Giving for Retirees

I’ve always found it fascinating that the season of Lent includes “tax season” as well. Might we use the liturgical time of self-reflection, penitence, and realignment to consider our relationship with money and giving? In today’s post, Dana Holt explores how a particular demographic — retirees over 70 ½ — may give from their retirement accounts directly to congregations. As
Featured image for “Millenials! Am I right?”
Mar. 12, 2019

Millenials! Am I right?

A healthy stewardship approach is taught by example, recognition, and constructive feedback – not shame and stereotypes. Yet even in the church, young people are often the punchline of jokes and complaints. So, this week, Rev. Anders Peterson does some myth-busting on what it means to be a Millenial. Being a Millienial church leader, myself — one who has taught Confirmation classes to
Featured image for “Engaging Millennials & More Cashless Giving”
Mar. 05, 2019

Engaging Millennials & More Cashless Giving

The rate of change for many of our congregations doesn’t quite keep up with shifts in the broader culture. Oftentimes, that serves as a blessing. At other times — especially when engaging financial stewardship — this rate of change can stall our ministry. This week, mission developer Anders Peterson reflects on digital giving. If your congregation hasn’t looked into electronic
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Feb. 26, 2019

Cultivating & Letting Go This Lent

There are many ways to minster. This week, we hear from the Reverend Lisle Gwynn Garrity, who uses art as a tool for spiritual formation. In the piece below, she reflects on stewardship and the story of the prodigal son. Plus, as a bonus for church leaders planning for Lent, Lisle links these themes to Lenten worship and reflection materials
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Feb. 19, 2019

When Enough is Enough

No greater theme has led stewardship talk in the past generation than that of “abundance vs. scarcity.” In today’s piece, David Loleng acknowledges the popularity of the trope while seeking to add complexity. How does abundance language implicate cultural themes of conspicuous consumption or prosperity gospel? As an alternative, David suggests a humbler frame for our stewardship themes: enough. Yours
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Feb. 12, 2019

Illuminating Stewardship in Today’s Culture

Stewardship is an act of practical theology. Accordingly, context matters deeply. In today’s post, pastor Larissa Kwong Abazia engages the contextual challenges of contemporary culture and the call to stewardship. Additionally, I invite you to check out the “Invitation for Groundbreaking Research Project Participation with Fundraisers of Color” announcement at the bottom of this post. Larissa, with an amazing team