Person_s hands offering a large bunch of grapes

Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says inviting people to participate in the generosity of God can be a gracious way to initiate conversations about giving. Stewardship and tithing are important concepts, but too often they are heard as thinly veiled euphemisms for church fundraising.

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Episode 22
Mixed-race couple holding hands

How can white Christians talk faithfully about racism? In this episode Carolyn Helsel discusses her book, Anxious to Talk about It, with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann Michel.

Finger pressing an _ icon
 
Joel Snider explains that a healthy church culture requires constant attention to good communication. Effective communication requires a consistent process that begins with a healthy approach to decision making and requires accuracy and repetition when sharing messages.

The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions. 

So often ongoing activities go unquestioned while new possibilities are not explored. Francesca Gino reports on one organization that has days devoted to questions that challenge assumptions and provoke new ideas. The questions used related to their purpose and endeavors are:

Why?
What if?
How might we?

Theology of Stewardship and Biblical Generosity Video Tool Kit
 
Designed to nurture the spiritual discipline of giving, Theology of Stewardship and Biblical Generosity may be used in a variety of Christian education settings or in conjunction with an annual stewardship emphasis. This video tool kit is ecumenical and may be used for self - study or with groups. Featured topics: Stewardship 101; What the Bible Teaches about Giving; A Christian Understanding of Money, Possessions, and Generosity; Biblical Generosity; and Faith and Generosity.

Free Video Study_ Moving Faith Communities Forward
Free Video Study: "Moving Faith Communities Forward"

Moving Faith Communities Forward is a dialogue about race in America . It may be used to help your church bring people together to talk about moving forward bravely and boldly in the name of Christ. The resource is divided into four 15-minute videos which may be used in one or more sessions. Moving Faith Communities Forward is sponsored by the Institute for Community Engagement at Wesley Theological Seminary .

Support the Lewis Center

Leading Ideas is made possible by contributions to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership from readers like you. Thank you.

50 Ways to Strengthen Ministry with Children
Learn 50 Ways to Strengthen Ministry with Children

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me." Read 50 Ways to Strengthen Ministry with Children and learn how your church can demonstrate its love for children and its desire to connect with younger families through effective ministry for and with children.

Quotable Leadership

Brilliance ... is not required of the ministry, but integrity is.

May Sarton
Designer sketching on paper

Are you sabotaging the first impression of your church with your signage, bulletins, emails, and other communication materials? Watch this free video from MyCom Tips e-newsletter to learn why it's more than just aesthetics.


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