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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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Aug. 28, 2018

Our Top-Five Personal Finance Podcasts

When it comes to the topic of financial wellness resources, the challenge isn’t a lack of information. In fact, it’s just the opposite. There are so many resources out there that they can overwhelm. Well, we at the Center for Stewardship Leaders have narrowed the list for you, at least in the case of personal finance podcasts. Alex Benson has
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Aug. 21, 2018

Simplifying Stewardship – Part Two

Last week, Becca Ehrlich introduced the concept of minimalism, noting its connection to Christian values. In this week’s post, Becca takes the story deeper — reflecting on Jesus’ message, and where that message took her and her relationship with things (and shopping). I’m grateful for Becca’s testimony, even as it pushes me to realign my own actions with the faith
Featured image for “Simplifying Stewardship – Part One”
Aug. 14, 2018

Simplifying Stewardship – Part One

Summer is often a time for moving. I remember my first moving truck — it was the smallest the company offered, and we didn’t get close to filling it. Now, after buying a home and filling it up, I’m not even sure we could fit all our things in a single U-Haul. In today’s post we begin a two-week series
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Aug. 07, 2018

Moving from “Ugh” to “Ahh!”

Sometimes I like to play a word association game with church groups. It all goes fine until I get to the word, “stewardship.” Let’s just say…the church has work to do to reclaim the deep potential, and holy tradition, of the word. Today’s post by pastor Byron Wade takes up the challenge. By considering the point of view of members,
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Jul. 31, 2018

Cheering on Our Children…and Adults

Learning by doing. It’s a simple concept, yet so much of our approach to faith life gets caught up in the theoretical. Or, for stewardship leaders, the spreadsheets and budget projections. In today’s post, Pastor Elizabeth Lovell Milford reminds us of the joy of giving. Particularly, how can we teach — and learn from — children as they give? Well,
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Jul. 24, 2018

Incremental Stewardship

“Compound interest,” the old quote goes, “is the eighth wonder of the world.” Or, humanities’ “greatest invention.” But why? Well, it may be because humans don’t usually think in day-by-day, slow-and-steady terms. We yearn for moon shots, not tiny gains that add up over time. In today’s piece, Pastor Ross Reddick explores the concept of incrementalism and its relationship to
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Jun. 26, 2018

The Baptismal Call of Stewardship

Like many of you, I can’t remember my own baptism. Yet, I’m reminded of it often in the act of public worship, and in the invitation to touch the water of the font. In today’s post, pastor Taryn Montgomery shares a powerful story of how these baptismal practices connect beyond our minds and souls, to our wallets as well. Indeed,
Featured image for “Building Faithful Margin as Stewards of our Personal Finances”
Jun. 05, 2018

Building Faithful Margin as Stewards of our Personal Finances

Recently, my wife and I were having dinner with a newly married couple. As happens in my line of work, the topic of finances came up. The newlyweds were astonished that my wife and I discussed money regularly (without fighting), knew off the top of our heads our household budget lines, and generally approached money without a deep sense of
Featured image for “Imagination, Young Adults, and Stewardship”
May. 29, 2018

Imagination, Young Adults, and Stewardship

Last week, Pastor Jeni Grangaard, who works in global mission for the ELCA, reminded us of the gift of time and her walks in a beautiful valley in Jerusalem. This week, Jeni’s husband Colin, continues reflecting upon their life working with young adults in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Their ministry is a culmination of stewardship: their own gifts, bringing
Featured image for “The Stewardship of Now”
May. 22, 2018

The Stewardship of Now

Folk singer David LaMotte has a song with a chorus, “There’s no time like the present…and there’s no present like time.” In today’s post, Pastor Jeni Grangaard invites us to slow down, take note, and become aware of our gifts beyond money. Our gift of now. It’s a post that, I hope, will cause us to breathe a bit differently,