Author: Dr. J. Clif Christopher
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1501804936
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 116
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Book Description
People don’t give to church because we don’t offer them a compelling vision of the good their giving will achieve. Hearing a young attorney speak of the faithbased reasons for which he had just made a substantial monetary gift to a community youth center, Clif Christopher asked the speaker if he would consider making a similar contribution to the congregation of which he was an active member. “Lord, no they would not know what to do with it” was the answer. That, in a nutshell, describes the problem churches are facing in their stewardship efforts, says Christopher. Unlike leading nonprofit agencies and institutions, we too often fail to convince potential givers that their gifts will have impact and significance. In this book, Christopher lays out the main reasons for this failure to capture the imagination of potential givers, including our frequent failure simply to ask. Written with the needs of pastors and stewardship teams in mind, Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate provides immediate, practical guidance to all who seek to help God’s people be better stewards of their resources.
Author: J. Clif Christopher
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 142674336X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 122
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Book Description
What is the bottom line at your church?
Author: Dr. J. Clif Christopher
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426729847
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 115
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Book Description
In Not Your Parents' Offering Plate, Clif Christopher challenged churches and pastors to take a lesson from the leaders of not-for-profit organizations: if you want people to give to your church, first offer them a compelling vision of the good that their giving will accomplish. The book encouraged an entire culture change for many in the Christian community in how they viewed the offering plate. It also unleashed a barrage of questions on specifically how to create this new culture while maintaining the foundations of one's faith tradition and mission. In this sequel, Christopher responds to these questions in the same forthright manner that he originally laid forth his propositions. He offers simple, strategic advice on such difficult questions as: “Exactly how do I go about gaining access to the donor records when my church has prohibited it for a hundred years?” “How do I explain a meeting with just those who are strong givers without alienating those who are not?” “How can we advocate online giving without encouraging some to abuse their credit cards?” “What should letters to different giving constituencies look like?”
Author: Adam J. Copeland
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
ISBN: 1611648114
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 200
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Book Description
Everyone knows that stewardship is more than money and finances. Nevertheless, seldom do we give time to explore the profound concept of stewardship in its many dimensions, including stewardship of time, work, body, mind, spirit, community, technology, and more. Beyond the Offering Plate does just that. Written by ten engaging pastors, seminary professors, and church leaders, this unique resource offers a diverse and holistic approach to stewardship. In ten accessible chapters, readers will learn how they can faithfully and practically discuss and engage with stewardship on a regular basis. Ideal for church leaders, seminary students, and pastors, this book includes questions for reflection and applications for life together at the end of each chapter. Copeland adds a special section with biblical references and preaching themes at the end of the book. Featured contributors include: Margaret P. Aymer, Associate Professor of New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas Kathleen A. Cahalan, Professor of Theology at Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of Sabbath in the Suburbs David Gambrell, Associate for Worship in the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) David P. King, Karen Lake Buttrey Director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving and Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana Neal D. Presa, pastor and former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Ellie Roscher, Director of Youth and Story Development at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities in Minneapolis and author of How Coffee Saved My Life Mary Hinkle Shore, pastor of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brevard, North Carolina John W. Vest, Visiting Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia
Author: J. Clif Christopher
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426710135
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 118
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Book Description
If you want people to give, offer them a compelling vision of how their giving is going to build God's kingdom.
Author: Ian S. Markham
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 047067329X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 294
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Book Description
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
Author: Charles R. Lane
Publisher: Augsburg Books
ISBN: 9781451405057
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 132
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Book Description
The goal of this book, says author Charles Lane, is to perform a dramatic rescue of stewardship, freeing it from any connection whatsoever to "paying the bills." When the Bible talks about stewardship it almost always talks about the intimate connection between how a person handles financial matters and that person's relationship with God. Stewardship is an intensely spiritual matter that lies close to a disciple's relationship with Jesus.The book is designed especially for use in congregational planning and study. Congregational stewardship leaders will come back to three foundational verbs ? ask, thank, tell ? over and over as they help individuals experience the joy of giving generously. The author makes the convincing case that there is little in life today that can help a disciple grow in relationship with Jesus more than a solid intentional biblical stewardship.
Author: J. Clif Christopher
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781426796579
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 92
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Book Description
The church leader's guide to thoughtfully managing church finances. Each mini-chapter attacks a particular problem or perennially critical theme related to church money management and stewardship.
Author: Dr. J. Clif Christopher
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1501891588
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 64
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Book Description
The God vs. Money Participant Guide and DVD (ISBN 9781501891571) provide a process for applying key principles from the main book, God vs. Money (ISBN 9781501868115), in the participant’s own ministry context. This study is for leaders in churches and other ministry settings who have responsibility for capital campaigns, budgets, stewardship, planned giving, and other financial concerns. The typical study groups include finance committees, stewardship teams, foundation boards, and finance-related staff teams. The study is also recommended for continuing education of pastors and other church leaders. A copy of the main book (God vs. Money, ISBN 9781501868115) is required for each participant and a copy of the DVD (ISBN 9781501891571) is required for each group. Prior to each group session, participants should read a section of the book. Sessions start with a 7-10 minute video featuring Clif Christopher. Using the Guide, participants completes a variety of activities focused on application of key points from the prescribed reading. This may include discussion questions, personal reflection, group problem-solving activities, and other actions. The Guide serves as a workbook, giving each participant a place to record their thoughts and insights from the group, and to plan next steps.
Author: Larry L. McSwain
Publisher: Chalice Press
ISBN: 0827205317
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 180
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Book Description
Leading is a calling from God, but that doesn't mean it is easy. There are choices to be made about what your congregation believes, how your church organizes for effective ministry, and how your church serves the settings of which you are a part. The good news is that others have gone before you. Author Larry L. McSwain's forty years of experience can help guide you through these choices. Rooted in research, The Calling of Congregational Leadership teaches a three-pronged approach to congregational leadership: being a good leader, the knowledge needed by the leader, and the managing of ministry leadership. By using this practical, holistic approach to leading congregations, McSwain shows you how to use your church's potential for conveying the power of God in the lives you touch. The Calling of Congregational Leadership is for those who seek to enlarge the understanding of their leadership to make their communities of faith more vital and more reflective of the mission of God in the world.
