Generosity header
Thought

 

"Were there no God,  

we would be  

in this glorious world

with grateful hearts:   

and no one to thank." 

 

- Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894)  

In This Issue
Stewardship Bible Winner
Economic Disciples of Jesus
Saying "Yes"
Saints Alive! Living Generously!
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August 2011
Greetings!

Welcome to the summer issue of GENERO$ITY, an American Baptist e-resource for leaders who are involved in the essential and life-giving ministry of "nurturing generous disciples to serve as the hands and feet of Christ."

 

It's been a summer of unrelenting heat. Triple digits across much of the country and record-breaking temps are no longer news to anyone.  I give thanks to God for the generous spring rainfalls received where I live in the upper midwest because it helped prepare the land for these scorching days.

 

The earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it...

 

I am watching a pair of barn swallows work tirelessly to feed three hungry babies perched on our patio light fixture, not eight feet from where I sit, while two chipmunks chase one another back and forth across our yard.  Just beyond, the late-blooming clematis shows its first buds, promising a snowy white cascade that is yet to come.  In our home, we are enjoying the season's bounty - fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, green beans, zucchini, peppers, and fabulous Missiouri peaches - even as we take time to prepare some to be enjoyed when summer's warmth is long past. 

 

The earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it...

lake view
Hickory Hills Lake
(Lunenberg MA)

photo by  

Rev. Carol Holtz-Martin   

   

No less than twenty hot air balloons landed behind our house today while I was preparing to write and, at the same time, a dear friend sent this stunning photo, taken in an early morning quiet moment during a retreat with other professional colleagues.  Teams of youth and adults are serving in places near and far, including one from a nearby ABC church bringing food and friendship this week to Haitian people living in the bateys near La Romana, Dominican Republic. Others are enjoying creation through church camps, travel and a variety of experiences.  

 

The earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it...  

I laugh when I imagine that God could have created humankind - and then placed us all in a colossal casserole dish to live out our existence!  Instead God provided us with this magnificent world to use, care for, and enjoy, reminding us that creation is a reflection of God's generous nature and love towards us.  During these warm days of summer, may our eyes continue to be open to the gift of beauty all around us, even as we seek to allow our lives to reflect God's generous nature in all we say and do.

The earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it...
 

 

Soozi Whitten Ford, Stewardship Facilitator

Mission Resource Development

American Baptist Churches USA

 

Congratulations!
LauraAt the biennial display booth for the Office of the General Secretary in San Juan, Puerto Rico, visitors were encouraged to enter a drawing for a free Stewardship Bible, to be given away on Saturday afternoon.  Congratulations to Dr. Laura Miraz, who serves on the staff of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, whose name was drawn.  While explaining she "never wins anything when [she] enters drawings," Dr. Miraz expressed her surprise and deep appreciation when she was notified.  We trust the Stewardship Bible will be useful in her ongoing ministry and discipleship.  Congratulations, Dr. Miraz!
The Muse by Mark L. Vincent
Economic Disciples of Jesus

Economic participation is usually considered a selfish transaction. As the economy moves up, or as we've experienced lately, steeply down, these selfish actions leave many victims behind. It does not matter whether the economic behavior of people, businesses or governments are motivated by fear or greed, they lead each one to seize or hoard, build or destroy, grasp or deny.

 

By contrast, the Christian worldview compels a believer to participate in the economy as a means to:

  • receive with gratitude,
  • create in order that others might benefit,
  • and share in God's name that others might gratefully receive.
The way a Christian chooses to earn and use money in an increasingly secular (and sometimes hostile) culture is becoming a more noticeable distinctive of what it means to follow Jesus.

Permission for use granted by Mark L. Vincent.

Click here for access to Mark's blog, The Muse.  

"Economic Disciples of Jesus" posted on July 8, 2011. 


Saying 'Yes' to United Mission
Have you ever witnessed a dispute regarding two equally fine directions for ministry and mission?  Dr. Ron Vallet, Ambassador for United Mission, reminds us of Jesus' words in Matthew and challenges us to say, "YES!" to all of God's mission.children playing

 

"A key point in being a steward of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to have a clear sense of God's purpose.  Without purpose, there is confusion and despair.  With purpose, there is direction and hope.  Jesus' parable of the children at play (Matthew 11:16-19) describes children who cannot agree with one another about what game to play.  They argue and complain, with no clear sense of purpose.  "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance."  ...Unfortunately, we cannot make an assumption that adults escape engaging in such behavior.  Even in the church, disputes expressing narrow self interests can be heard on many occasions..."

read more. 

   

Stewardship Education Resource
2011 Giving Cover

Saints Alive! Living Generously

The current issue of the Giving magazine contains helpful articles for all aspects of stewardship ministry, including two by prominent American Baptists, Dr. Leo Thorne and Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thorne.  The center section includes a reproducible program emphasis.  This annual resource, published by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center, will be helpful to leader teams preparing for the stewardship ministries of their local congregations.

 

 

 



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!