Together Transforming…Lives. Church. World.

 

All are welcome to attend the Installation of Thomas Morgan on Sun, Dec 5, 5 pm at First of Lonaconing.

Congratulations to John Boulware, ordained on Nov 28.

Welcome to Neta Pringle, starting today as Interim Pastor at Govans.

Prayer Concerns

Sarah Diehl (new Associate Pastor at Towson as of Nov 11) on the recent loss of her mother.

 

 

 

 

People

 

 

Committee Night  - Tues, Dec 7, Presbytery Office

 

Council Night  - Mon, Dec 13, 7 pm Hughes Memorial

 

“Transforming Violence into Wholeness” Nonviolence Training Retreat, sponsored by the Peace & Justice Committee, Jan 14-16, 2005. [read more]

 

Check out Local Church Announcements and the

 

 

Presbytery’s Yearly Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Local Church Announcements and the

 

 

Presbytery’s Yearly Calendar

Current Events

November 29, 2004

How Is Stewardship Changing In The Postmodern Era?

 

Tidings will be sent weekly on Monday afternoons.

Our primary audience is church professionals in the Presbytery of Baltimore.

 

Members of the Presbytery staff will write on a rotating basis:

 

Week 1  - Bill Millen

Week 2  - Terry Martin-Minnich

Week 3  - Julie Helms

Week 4  - Peter Nord

Week 5  - Tim Stern, Moderator

 

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions of alternate names for Tidings. A decision will be made shortly.

 

Are you shopping for a unique gift that will inspire, inform and educate friends and family-yet is kind to your budget? A gift subscription to Presbyterians Today is a thoughtful gift! For a limited time you can give two people 10 issues of the denominations magazine for only $19.95. Order at www.pcusa.org/today/gift.htm.

Looking for an entertaining, delicious, educational afternoon? First & Franklin Street invites you to join them for worship on Sunday, Dec 5 at 10:30 am, then participate in The Friends of Mount Vernon’s annual Holly Tour. For more information check the Local Church Announcements on the Presbytery web.

Church Custodian looking for part-time work. Twenty years experience. Contact Kurt Berger at 410-668-6630 after 4:00 pm. For references contact Loch Raven Baptist Church at 410-823-2940.

The Advent Resources list is now available on the Presbytery website.

Check out the Job Opportunities posted on the Presbytery website.

 

 

 

TakeNote/ActNow

Questions or comments? Email Dot at: dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org or call 410-433-2012

To subscribe or unsubscribe please Email Alice at: amcgee@baltimorepresbytery.org or call 410-433-2012

 

As I work with congregations on financial stewardship these days, I am learning what is effective:

 

  Where a faith community lives into God’s new vision,                                financial resources increase.

  Where faith in God is growing,

     the courage to give and ask others to give also grows.

  Where trust in the mystery of God’s blessing expands,    smaller resources also mysteriously expand.

  Where clergy show the connection between financial stewardship and spiritual growth, giving increases.

  Where clergy communicate why they are top givers, generosity is contagious.

  Where people are equipped to use their spiritual gifts, stewards are empowered.

 

I am also observing trends:

 

  Top-down leadership is less effective than previously.

  The Presbyterian Church reflects current societal trends:

      the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer.

  We’re seeing the wealthiest 20% giving only 50% of    some congregations’ income whereas in a healthy church, the wealthiest 20% should be giving 80%.

  The tradition of protecting anonymity about who gives how  much not only handicaps the stewardship team,

but also burdens the church treasurer.

 

Stewardship leaders take their responsibilities seriously and gladly offer their own observations. In one case, they laughed, “We started with what we thought we needed, asking each person for a specific amount. They pledged it, but then we realized we didn’t ask for enough!” In another situation, they said, “We decided to ask the top givers for a 30% increase. We asked one person who was pledging at $12,000 for $15,600 – and we got it!”

 

We are not sure about the future, but some things are coming clear. Following God’s vision, exploring the mysterious, trusting relationships in community, equipping people, and growing spiritually are some of the ways to successful financial stewardship for the church of Jesus Christ in the future.

                                                                 Bill Millen

 

P.S. Tell your Stewardship leaders to register now for the “Passionate About Giving” training event on January 22. [read more]