Stewardship
For many years, we have used the word “stewardship.” Unfortunately, it has not always had the best reception and so we are now moving toward using the word “generosity.” Generosity has a wider scope and points to a more positive way of speaking about our relationship with God, Faith, and Money. We invite you to use these introductory topics as a way to have initial conversations about stewardship and generosity.
The resources on this page are designed for congregations to use for ongoing stewardship education, stewardship campaigns, and to learn more about generosity.
Fundamentals
- NEW: Full Year 2024 NWLM Synod Mission Support Overview
- NEW: 2025 Video: “What Does My Offering Do?” (3 minutes)
- The Generosity Project Foundations and Fundamentals
- Stewardship Resources in Difficult Times
- Stewards of God’s Love – The Basic “How To” of Stewardship
- How to Improve Financial Stewardship
- Stewardship 101
- Giving to God by Mark Allan Powel
- Unlacing the Heart: Connecting with What Really Matters by Henry Freeman
- Ask Thank Tell by Charles Lane
Campaigns
- A Closer Look: Analyzing Response Methods
- ELCA Macedonia Project:
- Message Map
- Abundance – Creating a Culture of Generosity by Michael Ward
- Building a Culture of Generosity: Gronlund, Sayther, and Brunkow
How/Why We Give
- 7 Strategies to Engage New Givers
- Generational Differences in Philanthropic Giving
- Motivations for Intergenerational Giving
- The Future of Philanthropy
- How Kids Can Help the Earth
- The Generosity Project: Growing in God’s Grace Generation to Generation
- Giving Over 70 1/2 – Required Minimum Distribution
- Your Offering at Work
- Whose Offering Plate Is It? by Clif Christopher
Personal Money Management
- Philanthropic Autobiography – Lake
- Philanthropic Autobiography – UCC
- Qualified Charitable Distributions – Fidelity
- Six Weeks on Money – ELCA Personal Money Management Course
- Moving to Generosity
- Required Minimum Distribution
Congregational Money Management
- Church Finances for Missional Leaders by Bonnie Marden
- The Church Money Manual by Clif Christopher
- Rich Church Poor Church by Clif Christopher
- 10 Ah-Ha Moments About Church Funding Today by Grace Pomroy
- ELCA Congregational Financial Assessment
Bible Studies/Theological Reflection
- Cheerful Givers: 2 Corinthians 9:6-12
- First Fruits: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
- Love of Money: 2 Timothy 6:2b-10
- Thinking Pastorally and Practically About Money in This Time
- Preaching and Stewardship: Proclaiming God’s Invitation to Grow by Craig A. Satterlee
- The Spirituality of Fundraising by Henry Nouwen
- The Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook
- Giving to God by Mark Allan Powel
Digital Giving Resources
Additional Resources