Generosity header

Generous Thinking 

 

"Life begets life.  Energy creates energy.  It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."

        ~Sara Bernhardt 

In This Issue
Generosity is Responding
Webinar - October 23
New Bulletin Insert
Fearless Generosity
Resource Review
Quick Links

Generous Disciples
 

American Baptist Churches USA

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This e-resource
is a ministry of
American Baptist Churches USA
October 2014
Greetings! 

Generosity is at the heart of Christian discipleship.  Generosity is more than just being financially gracious, it is a way of life, a spirit, a grace.  Generosity is the way in which Jesus called his followers into the world, pouring out compassion, hospitality, companioning presence, and courageous justice.  Through this newsletter and our Generous Disciples webpage, my hope is we can be in conversation about nurturing generosity in our congregations, our communities, our families, and most importantly, ourselves.  This month I share the last in my article series on Generosity.  First, Generosity is Remembering.  Then, Generosity is a Willing Spirit.  In this issue of Generosity, I invite you to muse with me on how Generosity is Responding...

 

~Rev. Stacy Emerson

Stewardship Facilitator, Mission Resource Development

American Baptist Churches USA

 
Generosity is Responding...

 

...For all I have learned from books and resources and stewardship experts, I have come to understand generosity is a grace, not a ploy, not a strategy, generosity is a grace.  A grace we yearn to see make a difference in our own lives and in someone else's.

            Generosity is remembering.  Remembering how God has touched our lives, and blesses us in so many ways along our journeys.  And generosity is a willing spirit.  Willing to first give ourselves to God, as the church in Macedonia did, in order to put ourselves and resources toward the task of helping someone else to further the work of God's grace, out of gratitude for all that we have been given.  And generosity is responsive.  A generous person will sense a need and feel the impulse to help, to sacrifice something to make someone else's journey better...

 

Generosity is Responding 

Upcoming Webinar: UNCOMMON CENTS: A Christian Approach to Modern Stewardship & Giving

Join us for a Webinar on October 23, 2:00-3:00pm EDT, presented by Reverend Bill Keane, Senior Minister of the First Baptist Church of Branford, CT. Space is limited - REGISTER TODAY!

What are your own thoughts and feelings about the relationship between faith and money? Join us to learn about specific approaches to enhance sacrificial giving in your church!  

New Footprints of Generosity Bulletin Insert Available

Check out our recently published Footprints of Generosity bulletin insert, "Here God, Take All of It," here

Fearless Generosity
"Fearless Generosity" is a four-week emphasis that invites your congregation to consider fearless living, service, sowing and giving. It encourages you to learn and grow together by inviting persons to share their testimonies and by engaging in congregational challenges that can strengthen your ministry throughout the year. 
Click here for Judson Press Fearless Generosity
Resource Review: Financial Peace University

I first went through Financial Peace University at Mystic Union Baptist Church in 2010 with my ex-husband. We worked through each chapter and made some changes in our savings and spending habits. We were so impressed with the information and Dave Ramsey's plan that we committed to coordinate a class in the future. My life situation changed and this time I coordinated the class at Union Baptist Church as a single 60 year old woman who needed to revisit the lessons I learned before and to listen carefully and ask more questions because I could no longer depend on a partner to explain things I might not completely understand. I also bought a set materials for my 31 year old son and he has come to almost every class. Dave Ramsey's funny and understandable lessons appealed to him and we can now discuss my financial situation as well as his. We have the same vocabulary and the goal of being in control of our money and investing it so that we can be anxiety free about our money and hopefully someday can give more generously to others and to our church.

 

I loved working with this class and the questions at the end of each lesson generated some very personal discussions about our impulsive buying habits, our difficulty delaying gratification and the absolute necessity of budgeting and planning where each dollar will go. After cleaning out a home of a lifetime of souvenirs and useless things that I "just had to have" I wanted to make it clear to the young couples in the class that they needed to work hard to spend money carefully and invest wisely to avoid the anxiety that goes with a lot of debt. The power of this program is the change that happens when we meet, learn and talk with each other. I appreciated the input from each of the 15 people in our group. The thirty year olds cut up a bunch of credit cards and the 70 year old retirees looked into changing their insurance plans. The program is well designed to meet each of our needs no matter where we are in our financial journey. I look forward to coordinating another class because I will need the support and the group to stay focused on my financial goals and I enjoy sharing the great resources that Dave Ramsey offers in Financial Peace University.
 

 ~Ms. Cyndi Whipple, Union Baptist Church, Mystic, CT
  
Peace,

Rev. Stacy Emerson, Stewardship Facilitator
Mission Resource Development
American Baptist Churches USA

American Baptists serving as the hands and feet of Christ


2014 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!