|
Generous Thinking
|
"Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, for he is going to say, 'I came as a guest and you received me.'"
~The Rule of St. Benedict
|
| Join Our List |
This e-resource
is a ministry of
American Baptist Churches USA
|
|
|
|
Generosity is...Hospitality
Hospitality is a central Christian virtue, at the heart of the life in the Spirit. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." Everyday opportunities arise to extend hospitality, welcome and grace to another. When we do, we affirm the truth of the presence of Christ before us in the other. Hospitality becomes the avenue for generosity to express itself: to welcome everyone as sacred and beloved guest; to fill another's need; to invite others to share their stories and to find themselves in God's story; to keep the door open, welcoming those who come and however they come. Richard Gunderman wrote, "The distinctions between guest and host are porous...It is in recognizing ourselves in guests that we become good hosts. It is in recognizing the hosts within us that we acquit ourselves as guests." When we express our generosity through hospitality, Christ finds a welcome among us. When we express our generosity through such a welcome, people find comfort, hope and belonging. When we express our generosity with open arms and hands, the kingdom of God comes near.
Grace and peace to you in the journey of generosity,
~Rev. Stacy Emerson
Stewardship Facilitator, Mission Resource Development
American Baptist Churches USA
|
|
Generosity NOW: April 25-27 in Washington, DC
|
|
Save the date for the Ecumenical Stewardship Center (ESC) event Generosity NOW, formerly the the North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy, which has been a premiere Ecumenical Stewardship Center event for decades. Laypersons, pastors, and judicatory and denominational staff who attend Generosity NOW increase their knowledge about spiritual principles and best practices relating to faithful stewardship and generous giving through plenary sessions, workshops, and worship.
Speakers include:
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary
Dr. Ann A. Michel
Associate Director, Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lecturer in Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary
|
|
Stewardship Conference in the Northeast
|
|
|
The Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council presents the 2017 Conference: Embracing Stewardship: How to Put Stewardship at the Heart of Your Congregation's Life March 24-25, 2017 Holiday Inn, Boxborough, Massachusetts
Keynote presenters are Charles R. (Chick) Lane and Grace Duddy Pomroy. Together they have recently authored Embracing Stewardship: How to put Stewardship at the HEART of Your Congregation's LIFE. Many of you will know Chick Lane from his hugely successful previous book on stewardship titled Ask, Thank, Tell. Embracing Stewardship will help you strengthen your congregation's stewardship ministry. Mindful of generational perspectives and attuned to the world in which congregations live, the four keynote presentations this Conference offers will provide pathways your congregation can follow to deepen your members' understanding of themselves as stewards of the bounty of God. In addition, two workshop opportunities will also be offered!
Rev. Stacy Emerson, ABCUSA Stewardship Facilitator, will be presenting a workshop entitled, "Called to Generosity," exploring the church's mission to Generosity in the 21st century.
|
|
Book Reviews
|
|
Walk with Generosity: A Devotional Journal by Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil, Associate Executive Minister for Mission & Stewardship, TABCOM
This is a 40 day devotional journal for nurturing generosity. Intended for any time of the year rather than a particular liturgical season, Rev. Dorsainvil invites readers to reflect on scripture, to find ways to put their faith into action, and "to ponder, reflect, and sit with God for forty days." She writes, "Each day offers you an opportunity to be a better disciple, a better servant and a better giver of Truth, Hope and Love." For more information, you can contact Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil at [email protected].
Celebrating the Offering by Melvin Amerson and James Amerson
Giving is an act of worship. But so often it is an awkward or minor part of our worship experience. Brothers and colleagues in ministry, Melvin and James Amerson walk us through the biblical foundations for worship through our giving and provide practical resources for deepening the spiritual practice of giving.
At the Crossroads: Leadership Lessons for the Second Half of Life by Clayton Smith & Dave Wilson
The life of stewardship is also the stewardship of life. As we consider entering into or living in retirement, how do we claim God's purpose for our lives in our service, in our giving, and in our legacy? At the Crossroads is a six-week Bible-based study offering comprehensive, practical help for Christians who are approaching, entering, or already in retirement.
|
| Resources for Young Adults: COMPASS |
|
The Ecumenical Stewardship Center COMPASS initiative offers faith-based financial guidance especially for young adults through a variety of resources:
- A COMPASS web page with links to financial management tools, videos for mediation of God's call to be faithful, generous stewards, and reviews of books and resources that explore resource management from a faith-based perspective
- COMPASS blog with monthly posts to invite reflection and engagement on a stewardship topic relevant to young adults
- Social media entry points providing a place for young adults to interact with their peers on financial management topics
|
|
|
