www.henrinouwen.org/home/booklet/
For a free copy of Nouwen’s booklet titled The Spirituality of Fundraising
A good site for annual campaign themes and other stewardship resources from the Ecumenical Stewardship Center
Books that might be helpful:
Creating Congregations of Generous People, by Michael Durall. A very good book on the spiritual nature of financial discipleship. The last two chapters outline some practical steps to annual campaigns.
Revolutionizing Christian Stewardship for the 21st Century: Lessons from Copernicus, by Dan R. Dick. The book describes a viable alternative to a church being driven by structure and budget. The author calls us to reorient ourselves in relationship to God and God’s church. He describes what may be considered a radical reorientation in thinking about Christian stewardship.
The Dancing Steward: Exploring Christian Stewardship Lifestyles, by Christopher Levan. Great discussion starters. The end of each chapter or selection offers experiential learning suggestions as well as questions for discussion.
Plain Talk about Churches and Money by Dean Hoge, et. Al. This book is the result of listening to what pastors and congregation members say and think about money. It explodes myths, reveals facts, and explores our motivations for giving. A helpful and very readable book. Excellent for pastors and committee members to read and discuss.
The Abingdon Guide to Funding Ministry: An Innovative Sourcebook for Pastors and Church Leaders, by Donald W. Joiner & Norma Wimberly. This is an annual publication. They provide practical suggestions for leaders in congregations who are called to solicit, manage and utilize contributions in an effective and appropriate manner.
Behind the Stain Glass Windows: Money Dynamics in the Church, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle. This book is written by nationally recognized leaders in the field of giving to the church in the United States. Great background.
More Than Money: Portraits of Transformative Stewardship by Patrick H. McNamara; Alban Institute Publication. Glimpses of churches where “it works” and the common themes among this diverse group.
Growing Givers’ Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry by Thomas H. Jeavons & Rebekah Burch Basinger. Looking at the whole issue from the funds development standpoint. Many themes are the same as other thinkers in this area today, however, the first I have seen to tackle what it means to be in Christian funds development. Many good thoughts on the giver, faith, and money issues.
Generous Saints: Congregations Rethinking Ethics and Money by James Hudnut-Beumler, Alban Institute Publication. This book is meant to be used by congregational leaders to help put our economic challenges in a larger theological perspective. This book deals in a realistic way with many money issues that confront congregations today.
The Price of Faith: Exploring our Choices about Money and Wealth by Marie T. Cross. A very good ten-session study course with instructions on how to use the material in the book.
Graceful Living: Your Faith, Values, and Money in Changing Times by Laura Dunham. Reading this book is easy and enjoyable — and you’ll learn something, too! It provides a good context for talking about money and practical steps for addressing people’s needs at various life stages.
At Ease: discussing money and values in small groups by John & Sylvia Ronsvalle. This book contains three levels of questions that bring a small group every deeper into the subject of money, values and faith. Good background information and instructions as to how to us the book with a small group.
Sharing Possessions: Mandate and Symbol of Faith by Luke T. Johnson. This is a great book! It is detailed but was very helpful to me. Don’t read this first. Written almost thirty years ago, it is out of print. Will take some looking …
Faith’s Freedom: A Classic Spirituality for Contemporary Christians by Luke T. Johnson. Besides other great stuff this one has a chapter on financial discipleship.
Either:
The Stewardship Manual PDS #72530-94-001 or Confident Steward 2.0 – an interactive CD
