A collection of meditations on the importance of stewardship. Much has changed in the 21st-century world of stewardship. Now a person may use electronic funds transfer or use a credit card after clicking on a website link instead of dropping a check in the offering plate. Stewardship witness videos can be linked to the church’s website. One-Minute Stewardship is designed to promote the development of a meaningful theology of giving in a new age. These short reflections, indexed by Scripture, theme, event, and lectionary, can be included in weekly parish e-mails, newsletters, weekly bulletins, or read as an invitation to the offering during worship. The book addresses the issue of designated giving, which is usually separate from general stewardship appeals and is designed to empower clergy and lay leaders to promote the message of good stewardship every Sunday of the year.

Short, concise, inspirational meditations that can be used to explore the many aspects of stewardship throughout the year. Includes tips from a dozen contributors representing several denominations and congregations of all sizes.

At once a “travel guide” and a vision for the future, this series is good news for the Episcopal Church at a time of fast and furious demographic and social change. It analyzes the present plight of the church and sketches a positive way forward, sprouting from the seeds of change—those transformative practices already at work renewing the church. What church models can help point us toward transformation? What are the essential tools? What will give us strength, direction, and purpose to the journey? Each volume of the series will: Explain why a changed vision is essential Give robust theological and biblical foundations Offer a guide to best practices and positive trends in churches large and small Describe the necessary tools for change Imagine how transformation will look For most Episcopalians, stewardship is synonymous with pledge drives, budgets, and capital campaigns, but the Bible is clear that God wants more than our tithes and offerings. Looking to its scriptural roots in 1 Chronicles, Luke-Acts, and the letters of Paul, as well as St. Francis’ “third way,” Robertson offers a vision of holistic stewardship for the whole church, holistic because it can’t be separated from evangelism, outreach, scripture study, and ministry to the newcomer. It does not involve strong-arm tactics, only a willingness to risk changing existing structures and ideas in order to enrich the faith community and strengthen connections to the neighboring world. Transforming Stewardship delivers both good and bad news about Episcopalians and stewardship. Robertson provides essential models and spiritual practices in order to transform the church’s outmoded attitudes toward stewardship and wealth into a broader context of faith.

This complete guide to giving and stewardship sheds new light on solid financial resources, one of the 12 keys to building an effective church. Here is a practical plan for the growth and development of giving and stewardship in your congregation, complete with action worksheets that advance the progress of the plan over four years.

Hearing a young attorney speak of the faith-based reasons for which he had just made a substantial monetary gift to a community youth center, Clif Christopher asked the speaker if he would consider making a similar contribution to the congregation of which he was an active member. "Lord no, they wouldn't know what to do with it" was the answer. That, in a nutshell, describes the problem churches are facing in their stewardship efforts, says Christopher. Unlike leading nonprofit agencies and institutions, we too often fail to convince potential givers that their gifts will have impact and significance. In this book, Christopher lays out the main reasons for this failure to capture the imagination of potential givers, including our frequent failure simply to ask. Written with the needs of pastors and stewardship teams in mind, Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate provides immediate, practical guidance to all who seek to help God’s people be better stewards of their resources.

Pastors and other church leaders often feel ill-equipped in the critical area of stewardship and giving. Propel: Good Stewardship, Greater Generosity fills that need by offering a comprehensive course in church stewardship for the pastor, stewardship leader, or seminarian. Author Clayton Smith gives clear instructions for the organization and implementation of annual campaigns, planned giving programs, memorial gifts, and much more. He offers an extraordinary depth and breadth of practical information along with the wisdom that comes with decades of real church leadership experience. “Every pastor should have a copy of Propel readily at hand all year long. It is as complete a guide to all phases of Christian financial stewardship as exists today. I highly recommend it because of the excellent content but also because of the author. Clayton Smith has been a student of financial stewardship all his life. I am thrilled that now others may learn from him. I wish I had this book forty years ago when I started out. Propel will make a difference in your ministry!” —J. Clif Christopher, President and CEO, Horizons Stewardship Company “As leaders, we often know we must do something differently, but we are not sure what or how. Clayton Smith propels us forward. This amazing resource identifies the many wayswe can lead our congregations into a bright future. Smith’s strategies and methods for generosity apply to every church leader, any size church, and all denominations. This is more than a stewardship or finance book. It helps build a culture in which Christians can become the generous people they are intended to be.” —Donald W. Joiner, Director of Operations and Stewardship, General Board of Discipleship “Propel demystifies the practices of generosity and stewardship in local congregations. It is both a scholarly guide for pastors and a detailed handbook for lay leaders. Smith covers giving of all varieties and offers proven techniques that work in churches of all sizes and contexts. Propel is a valuable guide for every leader, clergy or lay, who sees generosity as an inescapable element of Christian discipleship.” —Byrd L. Bonner, AIF, President, United Methodist Church Foundation "Clayton Smith in his wonderful book Propel: Good Stewardship, Greater Generosity, describes six different ways to help people grow in their giving." —Margaret Marcuson, Marcuson Leadership Circle

Ten things you can do today to increase giving at your church.