The ELCA's "Ventures in Growing Stewards" workshop is just one way David Kappus promotes stewardship in the ELCA Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod. | more »
Money
As one of the ELCA Fund for Leader’s first full-tuition scholarship recipients, Lynnae Sorensen brings a special perspective to her Austin, Texas, congregation. | more »
Peace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee gets creative about stewardship. | more »
With help from ELCA World Hunger, the people of Malawi are improving their quality of life. | more »
The goal should go beyond merely raising enough money to pay the bills. | more »
When it comes to our money, the reality is that everything we have is to be used for God. | more »
Members of Leaven Project in Portland, Ore., make a commitment to serve their changing neighborhood. | more »
If you want to start the new year off right, you’ll need a plan. Here are some popular resolutions. | more »
How do you make your gift-giving more meaningful by offering ones that are a little outside the box? You might also want to read: Hosting an ELCA fair-trade fair Balanced gift-giving in an unbalanced time A Christmas gift-giving guide... | more »
Every time it happens, I get this deep swelling sense of pride that I belong to a body of people who care for others and come through time and again and again. | more »
Kaw Prairie Community Church in Lenexa, Kan., started because leaders in the community heard God's call to step out in faith, says Dan McKnight, its pastor. | more »
Whether it involves money, service or other methods, how has practicing stewardship become an important part of your life? You might also want to read: Giving back to God The stewardship of mission Introduce stewardship to youth in your congregation... | more »
Members of Northlake Lutheran Church in Northlake, Ill., let their congregation "die a graceful death so that other ministries might live and thrive." | more »
When you have the choice of, say, conventional coffee or fair-trade coffee, do you pick the fair-trade version? If you do, have you been successful in persuading others to do the same? You might also want to read or watch:... | more »
These two stories are not only about widows, they are about putting your complete trust in God as well. | more »
Is it solely the need to pay the bills? If that’s a big reason — and it’s certainly important — do you also find other reasons to do what you do? Are there motivations that keep you striving to do... | more »
Whether you’re 24 or 64, it’s never too early to plan for your retirement. Let’s make the bold assumption that you’ll be financially secure when the day comes, so the money problem is solved. But a big question remains: How... | more »
As budgets are being prepared and financial stewardship programs take shape, be bold, nimble and purposeful in your planning. | more »
According to recent reports, e-books are now a bigger source of revenue for U.S. publishers than are hardcover editions. If your last purchase was downloaded rather than on paper, what influenced the decision? You might also want to read: Social... | more »
The layoffs, reduced pay checks and underwater mortgages brought on by the recession have created a lot of pain and suffering. If your life has been affected, has something positive emerged from the negative? If your financial security has decreased,... | more »
Your congregation can become a kind of a "financial outfitter” by marshaling existing capabilities for financial stewardship that are easily available.
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The size of your paycheck — is that a factor you consider? Is a feeling of contentment a necessary part of your definition? What are the elements you consider essential for a successful life? You might also want to read:... | more »
The Young Adults in Global Mission program offers the opportunity for a one-year journey in international service and learning. | more »
The best way to make an impact after a disaster is not to rush into a region, but rather to work with partners who are already on the ground. | more »
Age shouldn't be a barrier to generosity. Camp Indian Sands helps children learn about this "loving response that brings glory to God." | more »
Welcome, stranger! New people are walking through the doors of Epiphany Lutheran, Eagle Lake, Minn., thanks to their innovative outreach program. | more »
Does Uncle Ed really need one more Christmas tie? Think about creative alternatives.
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Do you look for ways to provide thoughtful gifts while avoiding adding to the unnecessary accumulation of things? What types of gifts have you found that satisfy both the giver and receiver but yet step away from the holiday buying... | more »
Chances are good that lots of people on your gift list are haunted by the gaping needs in the world as they think about receiving more stuff. | more »
The desire for more is evident everywhere we turn. While it can be a healthy element of a nation’s economy, it can clearly be an unhealthy element in our personal lives. How do you balance society’s pressure to consume with... | more »
During these hard economic times there are many people struggling in silence, their pain invisible. | more »
Buy gifts, make gifts, don't buy gifts — whatever — that's not what Christmas is about. | more »
Maybe it’s your current job. Maybe it’s one you had in the past. What made it so difficult and what did you learn about yourself? How did your faith help you through the hard time? You might also want to... | more »
Do you know what you would like your life to be like five years from now? Would you like it to be similar to what it is today? If not, what can you start doing now to help make that... | more »
Giving more money is certainly welcome, but sometimes that just isn’t an option. How else can you give of your time and talents? What area of need has interested you? Is this the year that you could take that step?... | more »
I have seen evidence in families, churches, businesses and nations that failing to address this spiritual practice is destructive, wasteful and neglectful. | more »
Wall Street has been hammered in recent days. On paper that college fund or retirement account isn’t worth what it was a week ago. How do you cope when economic forces threaten your current or future financial health?... | more »
Despite the enormity of the problem, the White House and Congress are struggling to agree on a plan to handle the U.S. debt. If you could sit down at the negotiating table, is there something constructive you would offer in... | more »
The recession and the daily news stories of massive layoffs are perhaps just a bad memory if you escaped the recession unscathed. But as Erma Wolf reminds us, for the many whose jobs were lost to the downturn, the effect... | more »
Taking even one day off costs them money in lost wages, money they can’t afford to do without. | more »
Did you plant a garden this year? Is it a few tomatoes in pots, an acre of produce or somewhere in between? How is it doing and why did you plant it? Is the purpose to provide food for the... | more »
There has always been the need to feed the hungry, but the recession created a new population with an uncertain future. Some people who once were secure now are struggling to pay the bills. Has your congregation found ways to... | more »
Ten dollars goes a long way in this fictional story about the journey of a boy's hard-earned offering. Contributed by Paul Hamilton of Lake View Lutheran Church, Chicago. | more »
If you could, where would you like to travel this summer? Perhaps your trip would take you abroad, or perhaps you would stay closer to home. If you had the time and money and could pack your bags right now,... | more »
When the earthquake hit Japan, their World War II view that the Japanese were the enemy fell away. | more »
Jodi Houge points out today that a congregation can be started with surprisingly little money. Perhaps you have a goal but the money problem gets in the way. What if you put the finance question aside and creatively pursued the... | more »
In today’s economy, some people are in jobs they would like to leave but fear financial insecurity if they do so. If you suffer from job stress, what helps you cope? Is your faith among your coping mechanisms?... | more »
Helping others pay Uncle Sam can involve counseling and talking to God.
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Fundraising events come in all shapes and sizes. Simple or elaborate, a good fundraiser brings people together to raise awareness and dollars for a particular cause. What’s one idea — it doesn’t have to be your own idea — that’s... | more »
"Facetime" has a whole different meaning at Living Grace Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb., thanks to social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. | more »
It could be a stolen purse, a laptop taken from a meeting space or perhaps a suitcase left unattended. Whatever it was, how did you feel when you discovered your loss? How did you respond? What (if any) resolution did... | more »
Have you ever received a gift that came completely out of the blue? Or have you been on the receiving end of an elaborate surprise? What did it feel like to receive that gift?... | more »
Three-year-old Jauvalda Francique of Léogâne, Haiti, attends a bright, cheerful and safe school, thanks to the generosity of ELCA members. | more »
Tom Gaulke believes CouchSurfing has nothing to do with the Internet or TV. It does have to do with opening your heart and trusting others.
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Golden Gate Lutheran Church has closed its doors. But the city it served for so many years still feels its presence. | more »
A commitment to advocacy isn't just lip service at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jersey City, N.J. It's built into the church structure itself.
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The financial gifts of ELCA congregations made a difference in the lives of the Haitian people in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. | more »
Maybe you’re hoping that someone will notice the hints you’ve been leaving around the house. Maybe it’s something that can’t be wrapped, but is tangible nonetheless. What’s at the top of your Christmas list this year?... | more »
What made it such a special gift? Was it the person who gave it to you, the events of your life at the time or something else? How did you respond?... | more »
What are some small steps that you could take to increase your generosity? Or is there a leap of faith that requires generous giving that you’ve been considering for some time? Share some concrete ways that you can share more... | more »
If you’ve decided to spend less money this Christmas, how will you make that happen? Are you spending more time putting gifts together, or changing your gift-exchange practices this Christmas? Do you have buy-in from other members of your family?... | more »
This is the time of year when congregations are finishing up stewardship campaigns — asking members to pledge their support for the coming year. Many of us feel hesitant to ask other members to give of their time, talent and... | more »
The prairie garden at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park, Ill. For Ginger Vanderveer, it all started with a light bulb. “Some years back, we had a fundraiser selling energy-saving kits at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Park, Ill.,”... | more »
Online there are a variety of practical and inspirational resources to promote stewardship as a response of gratitude to God's abundant generosity. | more »
This resource is good for a confirmation class or a youth retreat. | more »
Recent Comments
blessedchurchmouse: “Great story! Thank you for posting. Blessings : )” | more »
Charles Oberkehr: “This year, we got 7 foot shimmering red streamers and” | more »
Charles Oberkehr: “Thanks for the reminder. Great piece.” | more »
Charles Oberkehr: “Love it! Great story, thanks!” | more »
Peter: “When I hear lawns in a religious context, I tend” | more »