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Speaking About Money: Reducing the Tension
A resource to use again and again for all organizational leaders who must address matters of money publicly. Particularly useful for leaders of nonprofit and ministry organizations.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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August 5, 2011
“FIRST-FRUITS LIVING - NOT LEFT OVER GIVING”
Attention pastors and stewardship committees! Read this book!
I can't say that I looked forward to reading and reviewing a book titled, Speaking About Money, because like most of us it's a topic I'd rather not talk about, especially in church. So the author, Mark L. Vincent, had me in mind when he wrote the subtitle, Reducing the Tension.
It may not be the most exciting title, but the content really got my attention. Vincent does an excellent job of being practical and theological at the same time. Several features of the book will lead me back to it again and again in the coming months as we prepare and execute our "stewardship drive."
First, the approach is to help people find a faithful way to handle money in every area of their lives. He is not focused solely on "church" giving, but on what he calls “first-fruits living," in which our whole life becomes a joyful offering to God.
Second, the generosity of heart, mind and pocketbook we hope to achieve is rooted in the character of God. The generous grace of God is the foundation throughout and is developed biblically at every point.
Third, following on the second point, worship is put in the center. "The journey to first-fruits living - not left over giving is first and foremost an experience in receiving the grace of God." This quote is from Chapter Six, "Worship and Money," which is the heart of the book.
Fourth, the stewardship of our money is woven into all the basic areas of church ministry, with practical recommendations for worship, discipleship, preaching, outreach, prayer, developing new leadership, leading change, assimilating new members, visitation, youth groups, you name it. There is more good advice here than you could implement in many years, but he gets you thinking practically and creatively.
Fifth, the pastor (or other church leader) is challenged to make a serious inventory of his or her own practices and gut beliefs about money, and to become a person who can lead the congregation's approach to money from a place of health and integrity. Practical tools are suggested for this purpose.
All this and more is packed into a short book, 143 pages. Get it and read it slowly and thoughtfully over the coming months which are so crucial for our churches' finances. You won't regret it.
Attention pastors and stewardship committees! Read this book!
I can't say that I looked forward to reading and reviewing a book titled, Speaking About Money, because like most of us it's a topic I'd rather not talk about, especially in church. So the author, Mark L. Vincent, had me in mind when he wrote the subtitle, Reducing the Tension.
It may not be the most exciting title, but the content really got my attention. Vincent does an excellent job of being practical and theological at the same time. Several features of the book will lead me back to it again and again in the coming months as we prepare and execute our "stewardship drive."
First, the approach is to help people find a faithful way to handle money in every area of their lives. He is not focused solely on "church" giving, but on what he calls “first-fruits living," in which our whole life becomes a joyful offering to God.
Second, the generosity of heart, mind and pocketbook we hope to achieve is rooted in the character of God. The generous grace of God is the foundation throughout and is developed biblically at every point.
Third, following on the second point, worship is put in the center. "The journey to first-fruits living - not left over giving is first and foremost an experience in receiving the grace of God." This quote is from Chapter Six, "Worship and Money," which is the heart of the book.
Fourth, the stewardship of our money is woven into all the basic areas of church ministry, with practical recommendations for worship, discipleship, preaching, outreach, prayer, developing new leadership, leading change, assimilating new members, visitation, youth groups, you name it. There is more good advice here than you could implement in many years, but he gets you thinking practically and creatively.
Fifth, the pastor (or other church leader) is challenged to make a serious inventory of his or her own practices and gut beliefs about money, and to become a person who can lead the congregation's approach to money from a place of health and integrity. Practical tools are suggested for this purpose.
All this and more is packed into a short book, 143 pages. Get it and read it slowly and thoughtfully over the coming months which are so crucial for our churches' finances. You won't regret it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review