Religious liberty and conscience, so long considered foundational in the United States of America, has been challenged in no less than three major Supreme Court cases in the last five years, with plenty more on the way.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the need to revamp how congregations and pastors view stewardship is discussed. Unfortunately, over the years, stewardship has been perceived as an intensely personal matter and, thus, has become a taboo topic to talk about. However, in order for stewardship renewal to take place, this current majority perception needs to be changed, and this change can only be done through individual repentance by the congregation member and the pastor.
The second issue of the journal features papers from confessional Lutheran church leaders who presented at the International Lutheran Council's fifth world seminary conference. Both the conference and this issue of the journal focus on the theme "Suffering, Persecution and Martyrdom as a Mark of the Church."
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the need for stewardship transformation in congregations and in individuals is discussed. The modern version of stewardship is broken and needs to be transformed – and only the Lord can fix it. This need for transformation is compared to the transformation of Zacchaeus as told in Luke 19.
In this issue, you will find articles written by parish nurses and others that share ideas and resources for promoting health of body and soul in congregations and communities, both here in the United States and throughout the world.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, an updated list of objectives for stewardship ministry is provided. The goals listed are practical and functional and are meant to be applied to situations that are both internal and external. The list’s intended audience is individuals, families and congregations. The Board of Stewardship has adopted these objectives and pray they can be a much-needed start for discussion about this important topic.
In this issue, you will find items written by parish nurses and others that share ideas and resources for promoting health of body and soul in congregations and communities.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the topic of time stewardship and it being a casualty of the fast-paced society in which we live are discussed. Helping to shape faithful stewards within the congregation must include careful consideration of this important piece of stewardship and the ways to strengthen it in members’ lives.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, insight is provided into the importance of ordinary stewardship – taking care of what God daily provides – in the lives of congregation members. When the elements of ordinary lives are used daily to be stewards of the love God gives, then God is able to do extraordinary things through these individuals, in their lives and in their community.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, insight is provided into the differences between volunteerism and stewardship. What these differences mean for the local congregation as it strives to build faithful stewards in Christ are also provided.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, insight is provided into the importance of “preparing the soil for a stewardship harvest” within congregations. This preparation starts with Word of God and is based on the work of the Holy Spirit. With both of these tools to call upon, faithful stewardship in congregations will be given from the Lord.
In this issue, you will find items written by parish nurses and others that share ideas and resources for promoting health of body and soul in congregations and communities.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, insight is provided into the importance of having healthy and balanced implicit and explicit ministry goals when it comes to stewardship, for an individual and for an entire congregation. They need to work together so that all of life and life’s resources are used in faithful service to the Lord.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, insight is provided into the importance of having resources (“tools”) within a congregation to instruct people on stewardship. But more than that, readers are reminded that having faithful craftsmen within congregations who know how to apply God’s Word in stewardship is even more essential.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, insight is provided into how having a faithful pastor is an important part of growing congregational members into faithful stewards for the days and years ahead.