Stewardship

A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:22:56 GMT

The why—and how—of faith-based fundraising and stewardship.

For years, many faith-based fundraisers and communities have been inspired by Henri J. M. Nouwen's book A Spirituality of Fundraising and his approach to fundraising as a calling and ministry. Many who are inspired by Nouwen's vision remain hesitant to ask for money, saying, "I don't have the personality to raise money" or "Asking for money still feels too complicated and makes me fearful."

Nathan Ball, a close colleague and friend of Nouwen, tackles these trepidations head-on with his workbook, providing a 4-week how-to guide for putting Nouwen's culture-shifting vision into practice. Nouwen and Ball lift up fundraising as a powerful way of loving and building community. They provide gentle guidance that will help people from all walks of life reimagine the task of fundraising and access the inner conviction and external skills to engage in the task of fundraising.

In this workbook, readers will find the complete original text of A Spirituality of Fundraising plus extensive commentary on its themes. There are many questions for reflection and journaling, prompts for listening and meditation, and instructions for using the book as an individual or with a group.

The original print book edition, without the workbook, is available here.

A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:45:52 GMT

The why—and how—of faith-based fundraising and stewardship.

The original print book edition, without the workbook, is available here.

A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:46:04 GMT

The why—and how—of faith-based fundraising and stewardship.

The original print book edition, without the workbook, is available here.

A Spirituality of Fundraising

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:01:19 GMT

Do you serve on your church's stewardship committee or need to raise money for a mission trip or some other faith-based cause? Perhaps the thought of asking people for money intimidates you. It's time to change the way you think about fundraising.

"Fundraising is, first and foremost, a ministry," best-selling author and renowned spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen writes. "It's a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission."

Nouwen encourages us to see fundraising as spiritual work and approach it confidently. "Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging," he points out.

Unlike most business/leadership books, A Spirituality of Fundraising is brief and can easily be read in one sitting.

Sections of this booklet include:

Fundraising as Ministry
Helping the Kingdom Come About
Our Security Base
People Who Are Rich
Asking
A New Communion
Prayer and Gratitude
Your Kingdom Come

Nouwen's insights will upend your thoughts about fundraising. Never again will you feel like you're begging for money. Instead, you'll see your work as true ministry. A must-read for leaders in churches, nonprofits, ministries, and businesses!

This book is also available as a workbook here.

Everything Belongs To God

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:59:48 GMT

This book invites you to study some of the kingdom principles involved in Christian stewardship—conversion, commitment, involvement, motivation, potential, faithfulness, and sacrifice. Test these principles in your life. Make them part of your world. You will reap the benefits of good stewardship.

Everything Belongs To God

Sat, 14 May 2022 03:00:00 GMT

Everything Belongs To God

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:15:41 GMT

Stewardship In African-American Churches

Thu, 05 May 2022 19:59:12 GMT

"When the church embraces the responsibility of living as faith managers of God's vast resources [as Psalm 24:1 teaches], the community of faith will prosper."

So begins this practical and theological study of stewardship, both in the context of the African-American church tradition and beyond. After all, a systematic approach to stewardship undergirds the ministry and mission of the church universal.

A stewardship consultant, Amerson draws upon his experience to help churches

develop a theology of generosity;
define stewardship leadership roles;
celebrate the offering each week; and
establish endowment giving.

While recognizing still-relevant traditions, he also points to newer tactics and strategies convenient to both members and congregations—including electronic giving, contribution statements, and year-end giving.

A highlight of the book is Amerson's explanation of the development of a narrative budget/narrative spending plan. He also writes about stewardship education at multiple levels. This book is a solid resource for financial stewardship education.

Stewardship In African-American Churches

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:56:04 GMT

"When the church embraces the responsibility of living as faith managers of God's vast resources [as Psalm 24:1 teaches], the community of faith will prosper."

A stewardship consultant, Amerson draws upon his experience to help churches

develop a theology of generosity;
define stewardship leadership roles;
celebrate the offering each week; and
establish endowment giving.

Stewardship In African-American Churches

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:56:17 GMT

"When the church embraces the responsibility of living as faith managers of God's vast resources [as Psalm 24:1 teaches], the community of faith will prosper."

A stewardship consultant, Amerson draws upon his experience to help churches

develop a theology of generosity;
define stewardship leadership roles;
celebrate the offering each week; and
establish endowment giving.

Creative Giving

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:45:32 GMT

Creative Giving is a perfect book for church leaders who have no expertise in the area of planned or creative giving. It is an excellent resource for helping non-experts think about estate planning and stewardship within the mission and ministry of the church. A comprehensive guide, Creative Giving guides church leaders in understanding the transfer of wealth through planned giving. The authors equip church leaders with the tools to develop a creative giving program within the congregation.

Creative Giving

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:54:48 GMT

Creative Giving

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:55:02 GMT

A Spirituality of Fundraising

Sat, 14 May 2022 00:29:54 GMT

Nouwen encourages us to see fundraising as spiritual work and approach it confidently. "Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging," he points out.

Unlike most business/leadership books, A Spirituality of Fundraising is brief and can easily be read in one sitting.

Sections of this booklet include:

Fundraising as Ministry
Helping the Kingdom Come About
Our Security Base
People Who Are Rich
Asking
A New Communion
Prayer and Gratitude
Your Kingdom Come

This book is also available as a workbook here.

A Spirituality of Fundraising

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:32:19 GMT

Nouwen encourages us to see fundraising as spiritual work and approach it confidently. "Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging," he points out.

Unlike most business/leadership books, A Spirituality of Fundraising is brief and can easily be read in one sitting.

Sections of this booklet include:

Fundraising as Ministry
Helping the Kingdom Come About
Our Security Base
People Who Are Rich
Asking
A New Communion
Prayer and Gratitude
Your Kingdom Come

This book is also available as a workbook here.

A Spirituality of Fundraising

Tue, 17 May 2022 00:51:16 GMT

Nouwen encourages us to see fundraising as spiritual work and approach it confidently. "Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging," he points out.

Unlike most business/leadership books, A Spirituality of Fundraising is brief and can easily be read in one sitting.

Sections of this booklet include:

Fundraising as Ministry
Helping the Kingdom Come About
Our Security Base
People Who Are Rich
Asking
A New Communion
Prayer and Gratitude
Your Kingdom Come

This book is also available as a workbook here.

Celebrating the Offering

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:14:25 GMT

In a culture where it's easy to think of ourselves as self-made, we need a reminder that all blessings have been given to us by a generous God.

In many congregations, the offering happens without much forethought. We may even consider it a crass interruption to the spiritual flow of worship. But it's actually an important, biblical part of the service. It gives us a chance to focus on giving thanks and giving back to the God who has so generously given to us.

If you're looking to revitalize the spirit of generosity in your congregation, you'll find simple and effective ways to incorporate the offering into the deepest fibers of your worship experience.

"Most Christians grow in generosity as they grow spiritually," write the authors. "Churches grow in generosity when stewardship is preached, taught, embraced, and celebrated. For the celebration to occur, a process of transformation needs to take place."

The Amerson brothers address concerns and misunderstandings about the practice. Through biblical precedents, prayers, litanies, and examples, they demonstrate how to reshape the offertory into an authentic celebration involving all members of all ages.

As noted preacher Zan Holmes says in the Foreword, "[The authors'] insights and practice convey a deep understanding of this often misunderstood and maligned component of our lives as followers of Christ: simply put, our faith informs the way we live, including how we spend our money. Celebrating the Offering brings our faith closer and closer to the center of our lives…[where the offering] becomes a natural expression of who we are as Christians."

Faith & Money

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:15:32 GMT

Grounded in the gospel, Faith & Money identifies the challenges of fund development in local congregations, develops a consistent theological foundation for fund development, and guides congregations in building worthy expectations and attitudes on how to fund ministry.

Extraordinary Money!

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:10:21 GMT

Unexpected expenses happen. Questions, anxiety, and some confusion among the membership and church leaders are inevitable whenever a congregation needs to raise major funds.

Reeves guides you to examine the issues of developing and carrying out a strategy for raising money for special needs. Extraordinary Money serves as a tool to help churches determine whether a capital campaign suits their setting.

Find answers to these questions and more:

Why do capital campaigns work in some settings and not in others?
What's the theological foundation for raising money?
How do leaders build a consensus for an effective campaign?
What kind of leaders are needed?
How does a campaign really work?
What's a realistic financial goal?

This book will help you learn how to select an appropriate program and carry it through successfully.

Climbing the Sycamore Tree

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:30:39 GMT

Warning: This book could change the way you live.

"Although I've experienced what it's like to get overextended, I've never been poor without options or help," writes Hagmann. "My faith tells me that being a Christian must affect who I am and how I behave with my wealth. Christ has something to say about the way I live my daily life, from how I treat others to how I spend my money."

Do you make everyday economic decisions that reflect your Christian faith and values? Or are you "living large" in a material world?

Using the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) as its inspiration, Climbing the Sycamore Tree is a 6-week study of faithful stewardship.

Hagmann uses both scripture and consumer statistics to show how our buying habits often marginalize certain people and perpetuate systems that contradict good stewardship and love for God's creation. Following the experience of the tax collector Zacchaeus, the study seeks to deepen the link between the faith we profess and the lifestyle we live.

Designed as a study for individuals or groups, Climbing the Sycamore Tree

provides insight into how our economy functions and the connection between how we spend our money and spiritual formation
asks provocative, discerning questions about our daily choices
calls us to a path of simple everyday living that's in harmony with our Christian beliefs

The study is divided into three sections of two weeks each. Each week's readings consist of five lessons and a group session that includes scripture, discussion questions, guides for reflection or activity, and prayer.

Open yourself to transformation that more clearly reflects the daily living of the faith you profess!