Faith Development

A model stewardship program will help adults, youth and children grow in their faith:

•  By developing a faithful understanding of stewardship as our response to God's grace in our lives;

•  By discerning the reality of abundance and the myth of scarcity;

•  By growing in generosity, as they proceed along the giving path;

•  By learning and practicing proportional giving and tithing

Below are some resources available through the Massachusetts Conference, UCC to help your church do this. Order by contacting Lynda McGarrahan-Blunt at 508-875-5233, ext. 234. Postage additional.

• Now, Concerning the Offering - by Hilbert J. Berger - a 26 page booklet to assist worship leaders - $5.00
• Stewardship for Membership and Confirmation Classes - a 20 page booklet produced by the Stewardship Council - $3.00
• Plain Talk About Churches and Money, by Dean Hoge, Patrick McNamara, and Charles Zech - Explodes myths, reveals facts, and explores motives for giving. Offers practical insight and real help for churches everywhere and for everyone who wants to understand fund raising and to celebrate stewardship - $17.00
• Creating Congregations of Generous People, by Michael Durall - On this provocative book, stewardship consultant Michael Durall argues convincingly that annual pledge drives inadvertently perpetuate low-level and same-level giving in congregations. Written with the voice of experience, this book will help clergy and lay leaders initiate and sustain effective stewardship programs. Durall believes that asking for money eventually becomes routine, even tedious-but creating a congregation of generous people becomes ever more meaningful with passing time - $14.00
• Generous Saints: Congregations Rethinking Ethics and Money, by James Hudnut-Beumler - This book deals with vital questions. "What does the Lord require? what is the true meaning of the term 'commonwealth?' and how does the church build a stable base for its members to live ethical lives?" A positive approach to forming the basis for new thought and discussion - $12.25
• Ministry and Money: A Guide for Clergy and Their Friends, by Dan Hotchkiss - Provides frank, straightforward guidance for clergy seeking to develop a sound theology of money and skills for church administration and to help clergy overcome their own anxieties about money matters so they can help others address the personal, social, and congregational aspects of this challenging and often difficult topic - $16.00

Resources available through UCC Resource: (800-537-3394)

• How Important is the Sunday Morning Offering? - a 4 page worship resource to assist worship leaders. Available for free from UCC Resources
• Stewardship - Practices of Faith - One of a series of pamphlets designed to help in ministry to members and visitors - 20 for $2.00
• What Scripture Says About Giving - A brief brochure for all church members which looks at the question of how much to give to the church and why - 50 for $2.00
• Seasons of Stewardship - A four-page resource for pastors and leaders who wish to keep issues of generosity and stewardship alive throughout the church year. Organized by the seasons of the church year. Written by William C. Green, minister and team leader, Stewardship and Church Finances, United Church of Christ - Free
• God's Gifts, My Gifts - A packet of resources for elementary age children (but adults are finding it helpful, too!) that helps children recognize that God is the source of who we are and what we have, and is our model for being generous and faithful. Children can use the five colorful foldout sheets in class or at home. They contain individual and group activities, including scriptural texts and prayers to reinforce the church; personal decisions; loving God, self and others. Activity sheets available individually for 75 cents each: "Share Love With Your Offering," "Seek God with Whole Heart," "Rotted in Love," "Love is the Greatest," "Dare @BU" Set of all 5 sheets plus stickers: 1-10 sets, $5 each; 11-25 sets, $4.50 each; 26 or more sets, $4 each.

Available through:Discipleship Resources (800-685-4370) or Cokesbury (800-672-1789)

• Holy Smoke! - What Ever Happened to Tithing - by J. Clif Christopher and Herb Mather - This book proposes that just as the sacrifices of ancient Israel caused "holy smoke" to rise to God as a pleasing odor, so the practice of tithing can be a sacrificial offering for Christians today. When practiced faithfully over time, tithing can be an important benchmark in the Christian's journey toward the stewardship of all of life.
• Creating a Climate for Giving - by Donald W. Joiner - A book which teaches us that giving through the church is more than about money. It is about lives being changed. It is about never feeling lonely or unloved. It is about helping others. It is about children and youth. It is about our personal salvation. It is about what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

Alban Institute has an excellent series on Faith and Money. Their website allows you to read the first chapter of many titles.