Resources for “Stewardship and Simple Thinking”
I am currently on vacation and will not be summarizing the Alban Weekly article by Dan Hotchkiss, “Stewardship and Simple Thinking.”
But I do encourage you read, reflect, and comment on this article!
And if you’re seeking stewardship resources (in addition to the excellent items mentioned at the the end of the article), allow me to call your attention to the “Stewardship” section of the Congregational Resource Guide. Two items within this section merit particular attention, in my opinion. One is James Hudnut-Beumler’s Generous Saints: Congregations Rethinking Ethics and Money. The other is the free online tutorial, “The Whys and Hows of Money Leadership.” I’ve heard positive reports from those who have used these resources. What resources do you suggest?
Thoughts and ideas appreciated!
Dan’s article and the five questions go beyond “stewardship” and dollars to time and talents. They are questions we should ask ourselves whether we be a congreagation, a church council or committee or a ministry. The answers may have a direct impact of our effectiveness and efficiency where ever we are in the church.
Dan is right.
For years many of us working in the stewardship education community have tried — sometimes in vain — to wrest out of lay and clergy brains the words and phrases that violated Scripture, common sense and the findings of generosity research. We poked at piles of platitudes, tried to insert intellectual and emotional honesty into what was usually questionable theology chasing shabby practices. We consistently tried to move the conversations — and congregational behaviors — toward more accurate views of first-century “economia,”"economos” or even the later “sty-warden.”
As Don notes, we consistently ran into the fear/danger mechanisms of the brain, and so usually came up short when rubber needed to meet road.
So hats off to another stewardship truth-teller, someone who has leap-frogged over ineffectual bromides and tired language. One thing, though, Dan: Many of us have seen this promise for decades, and all of us who have seen the problem have to work a little harder at the answers. “Fierce conversation” is good and necessary, but there are places, in current theology and current ecclesiology, where new answers seem workable for these times.
At any rate, you speak well and you speak honestly. In stewardship, both admirable traits and worth our attention.
Thanks!
Bob Sitze
Dan who is NOT “Don”!
Oops! Sorry that I miswrote your name. I apologize for the misread and incorrect reference. As “Dan” you write well; I could find a good example in that!
God keep you joyful!