Creating a Culture of Generosity

Do you ever find yourself talking about stewardship like it’s a game of Taboo? Whatever you do, don’t say the wrong word! Or maybe it’s felt like a tightrope walk. If you lean too hard into giving, your congregation might pull back. But if you back off, the money needed for ministry might not be there.

Too often, it’s a scarcity mentality that debilitates leaders and congregants like. When that happens, operating out of fear—not abundance—can become the over-arching narrative.

Creating a culture of generosity requires a better story. We’ll teach you how to tell it.

Session 1 – It Starts With a Good Story

Session 2 – Effective Council and Staff Leadership

Session 3 – Developing—and Living into—a Strategic Vision

Session 4 – Effective Stewardship

Session 1:

It Starts With a Good Story

In this first session, you’ll unpack the various ways stories get told in your church, as well as the different mediums those stories are told through. While stewardship may have been difficult to articulate in the past, you’ll gain a spiritually grounded vision for giving that shifts your culture.

Session 2:

Effective Council and Staff Leadership in Supporting Abundance

From examples found in the Bible to learning how to set the right expectations for your council and staff, this session will underscore the importance of leadership when it comes to creating a culture of generosity. Do you know the four things councils should do? You’re going to find out.

Session 3:

Developing and Living Into a Strategic Vision for a Congregation

There are two key ingredients in any strategic ministry vision: identity and activity. Clarifying the message—the story—around both is critical, and this session will effectively empower you. With examples of plans and helpful tools for putting them together, you’ll have everything you need.

Session 4:

Effective Stewardship

In the final session, you’ll return to a theological foundation that creates a culture of generosity. Instead of having to talk about money constantly, the principles of effective stewardship free you and your congregation to live in abundance, not fear or scarcity.

Rev. Mike Ward, CFRE is the fourth partner in the 44-year history of GSB Fundraising. Mike began his relationship with the firm as a client while serving as VP of Advancement for NovusWay Ministries in Arden, NC. Prior to his work at NovusWay, Mike was a parish pastor during two congregational capital campaigns. As a part of the North Carolina Synod, Mike is involved in full-time stewardship ministry. His clients include congregations, camps, seminaries, and social service agencies. He is a popular speaker at conferences in the areas of annual funds, campaigns, congregational partnerships, major donor development, and more. His first book, Abundance: Creating a Culture of Generosity was published and released by Fortress Press in January, 2020 where it became the publisher’s #1 title of 2020. Mike’s previous service on boards includes the ELCA National Church Council, and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. In his spare time, Mike is a beekeeper and manages between 12-15 hives per year. While his wife teaches Spanish, Mike’s daughter is in graduate school and his son is in college at NC State.

Join our host, Rev. Mike Ward, and an engaged learning cohort of faith leaders live and online!

• ➔ Participate in four 75-minute webcast sessions

  Be there on Thursdays from July 29 – August 19 (10:00 AM – 11:15 AM CDT) as Rev. Ward helps you learn what creating a culture of generosity actually entails.

• ➔ Discuss your experience within a safe context

  Throughout the course, breakout sessions will allow chances to discuss and apply what you’re learning with people facing the same obstacles as you.

• ➔ Develop meaningful connections

  As you unpack the ways a scarcity mentality has obstructed abundance in your congregation, having people to lean on and share with is critical. This course allows you to build those needed relationships.