• Got Stewardship?
• "Even More Lutheran!"

What has God done for us? How does God work through us? How do I see God's goodness in everyday life? These questions or reflections are often pondered during time of prayer and are the topic of many sermons and discussion groups. But have you ever considered that how we answer these questionsÑour storiesÑare the essence of stewardship?

Most of us associate stewardship primarily with growing the church through donating money. Keith Mundy, ELCA Assistant Director for Stewardship, would like to replace this narrow view with a broader vision of stewardship. He points to the new ELCA stewardship program, Stories To Tell, Gifts To Share, as an important resource for guiding congregations in deepening an understanding of stewardship. He offers insight on how this resource challenges people to look within themselves and offer their unique talents to benefit God's work.

Keith Mundy is the Director of Area Ministry Stewardship Staff and director of Salt Seasoning Faith & Generosity, ELCA Division for Congregation Ministries. He serves ELCA synods and congregations in Nebraska, Illinois, Metro-Chicago, Indiana, Kentucky, Lower Michigan, and SE Pennsylvania.

How Stories To Tell, Gifts To Share different from other stewardship resources?

A key approach for Stories To Tell, Gifts To Share, is to invite and encourage people to tell stories of how God has touched their lives, how they have shared their time and talent, and how others have shaped their lives. Through these conversations, we see more clearly how we make a difference in the lives of others through our giving.

How can leaders engage members in using their gifts and talents as well as to encourage financial giving?

Many do not recognize their gifts and talents. We are called to help people identify, explore, and use the gifts that God has given them. These gifts and talents could be their skills, knowledge, spiritual giftsÑor any particular passion that people have. What we want is to encourage people to use these gifts, whatever shape they take.

So, how do we encourage?

One simplest way is by asking people to give of themselves. Research shows that 40% of ELCA congregations do not ask their members to make a financial commitment. Some will only ask when they perceive that there is a needÑrepairs, bills, projects, etc. ELCA teachings encourage first fruits giving (or First Mile Giving) as a response to God's gifts and grace. These first fruits help support the ongoing ministries of the congregation. Special projects or causesÑare the Second Mile Giving. These gifts come after First mile Giving and should not take away from our first fruits giving.

What are some key things to consider when teaching stewardship?

We recognize that not everyone starts at the same place in his or her faith, or understanding of stewardship. A healthy understanding about being a good steward connects God's gifts with life experiences and God's calling to do ministry. There are some basic stewardship principles that help in this processÑgrateful, responsible, willing, sharing, proportionate, regular. These principles teach us what it means to be good and faithful stewards.

"Even More Lutheran!" What Does This Mean?

"Mercy! Good God! What manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine." So wrote Luther in the preface to his Small Catechism, published in 1529 after he witnessed the appalling spiritual ignorance in parishes around Saxony.

Thanks to Luther's Small Catechism, Christian education took an enormous leap forward. But Lutherans wrestling with today's complex choices often feel the need for more guidance. Most feel unprepared to answer the question, "What is a Lutheran?" and unequipped to articulate or defend their faith and beliefs.

The Lutheran Handbook II, released in April 2007, may well be the most significant book in 478 years for helping Lutherans grasp and live out the core doctrines of faith. This small blue handbook with its double "Winking Luther" image on the cover looks as unpresuming as Luther's Small Catechism. But like Luther's little volume, it packs a powerful punch.

"Theological education," says ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, "helps define our witness." But theological education is not just for seminary students. Nor is it, as most believe, dry boring stuff best left to experts. Luther proved that theological training is essential for all of us. Just as Luther "packaged" theology in simple, digestible nuggets for the religious training of all the baptized, The Lutheran Handbook II is written in a simple yet entertaining style appropriate for all Lutherans, confirmation age and beyond.

The Lutheran Handbook II builds on The Lutheran Handbook with all new content. As the core learner resource for the newest Here We Stand Confirmation unit and the foundation of the new Lutheran Course II, it digs deeper into Luther's paradoxes of faith that define Lutheran identity, inform and inspire our faith, and help us make sense of our complex world.

This is what we mean when we say that Here We Stand, The Lutheran Course II and Akaloo are "even more Lutheran." Now there's even more Lutheran theology to inform and inspire faith, and help us define our witness.