Generosity header

Prayer

Loving God,  

make me what  

you see in me.  

I place myself  

into your hands.  

Put me to doing,  

put me to suffering;  

let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you;  

let me be full,  

let me be empty;  

let me have all things,

let me have nothing.  

I freely  

and  

with a willing heart  

give myself to you  

in faith and trust.

 

John Wesley (1703-1791) 

In This Issue
Resources
What Generosity Requires
Ask, Thank, Tell
The New Normal
Quick Links

Generous Disciples
 

American Baptist Churches USA

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This e-resource
is a ministry of
American Baptist Churches USA
May 2011
Greetings! 

Welcome to the early spring issue of GENERO$ITY, an American Baptist e-resource for pastors and church leaders who are involved in the important ministry of nurturing generous disciples to serve as the hands and feet of Christ."  

 

I have an entire list of things I would like to accomplish in my lifetime that is different from, and in addition to, my "bucket list." One of the things on that first list may never actually be accomplished because it involves changing the way people (and churches) think, speak and act around issues of money - no small task!   

 

Specifically, my hope is to assist pastors and church leaders as they plan for, and speak about, the time of offering in worship.  Often worshiping congregations take the collection, rather than receiving an offering.  Generally speaking in this country, it is the IRS, not the church, that "collects." Instead, any real offering begins in the heart of the believer who offers gratitude and praise to God in a posture of humility, by freely giving (or offering) to God the gift of first fruits.  Such gifts remind us that God is indeed the Source and Owner of all we have received.  When we gather to worship the time of offering is intended to remind us of our identity and purpose as God's people, not as a time to collect dues that are owed to God or the church.

 

Secondly, and quite simply, the offering is not ours to "take." God is the Creator, the Owner, the Source of all.  The gifts are offered to God and given with humility, gratitude and thanksgiving.  The church's role is to receive, care for, and steward the gifts, acting as a conduit between the individual (or family) and God.  This is a high and holy calling, and carries the weight for honest and transparent care.  

 

The offering can be little more than a commercial stretch break, albeit with great music, or it can be an intensely meaningful and sacramental experience of God's grace.  It matters how we speak about and plan for the experience offering in worship.       

 

                   Soozi Whitten Ford, Stewardship Facilitator

Mission Resource Development

American Baptist Churches USA


Resources for Stewardship Ministry
Click the highlighted links for a couple of resources that may be helpful as you lead or assist with the stewardship ministry in your congregation:

Our United Methodist friends share monthly offertory prayers that follow lectionary texts, helpful to pastors and worship leaders whether or not the lectionary is used in your worship experiences.

A generosity-themed bulletin insert suitable for Pentecost Sunday (June 12th) is available on the Generous Disciples website.






Generosity Requires A Return to Old Landmarks
The Reverend Dr. Paul M. Martin, PresidentDr. Paul Martin
Professor of Pastoral Theology
American Baptist Seminary of the West
Berkley CA

 

As a minister/pastor for the last 58 years, I have always been amazed at the difficulties we have when the issue of being generous with the various gifts that God bestows upon us is a matter of discussion. As a youth in Sunday School at the Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles, I was taught by my teachers that all things belong to God and he requires of us an appreciation for his gifts to us. My theme is "Freely you have received, freely give!"

 

There is a connection between attitudes of generosity and our involvement in the teaching ministries of the church. Stewardship education is the foundation in establishing a spirit of generosity...continue reading...

 

Book Review
Ask, Thank, Tell: Improving Stewardship Ministry in Your Congregation by Charles R. Lane, reviewed by Judy Allbee, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Connecticut. 

In Ask, Thank, Tell: Improving Stewardship Ministry in Your Congregation, here is another author that spent a considerable amount of time making a solid case thatAsk Thank Tell cover stewardship is about discipleship rather than it being about money. One of his first lines is: "Stewardship has beenkidnapped and is being held hostage by a sinister villain named "Paying the Bills." Lane speaks words of caution about the language we use in this topic. While he advocates that pastors speak early and often about stewardship it should be a way in which we help persons grow in all parts of their faith, with the area of stewardship being one part...read more
The New Normal

For those who are planning to attend Celebrate/Celebrad 2011, an event on Thursday and Friday may be of interest.  "The New Normal" Peggy Kendallwill reflect on the impact of culture on ministry, which has implications for issues of generosity and stewardship.  On Thursday afternoon, the event will feature Dr. Peggy Kendall, associate professor of Communication Studies at Bethel University, and author of Reboot: Refreshing Your Faith in a High Tech World(Click here for Dr. Kendall's website on technology and faith.) Friday morning's session will feature Dr. Gary Nelson, urban missiologist andGary Nelson president of Canada's Tyndale University College and Seminary. Dr. Nelson is the author of Borderland Churches: a Congregation's Introduction to Missional Living. Both sessions of "The New Normal" will encourage conversation among Dr. Kendall, Dr. Nelson and those in attendance. 

     

"The New Normal" will precede the American Baptist Biennial on Thursday afternoon, June 23 and Friday morning, June 24, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Ministers Council, ABC Region Staff, Mission Resource Development and American Baptist Women in Ministry offer this opportunity to learn about coping with current cultural changes in the day-to-day work of ministry.   For more information and to register, visit Celebrate2011For the entire press release for this event, click here. 

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For those of you who plan to attend the Celebrate/Celebrad 2011 in San Juan, please take a moment to stop by and visit with me at the Mission Resource Development display booth.  While you're there, I hope you'll take a moment to enter the drawing for a free Stewardship Bible to be given away on Saturday.  (Click here to read a review of it by Jay Noll.)

With Joy & Gratitude,

Soozi Whitten Ford, Stewardship Facilitator
Mission Resource Development
American Baptist Churches USA


© 2011 Mission Resource Development, American Baptist Churches USA 
This resource is provided to you as a ministry of American Baptist Churches USA
 because American Baptists are united in mission through United Mission. 
Thank you for your gifts to United Mission!