Nathan Meador is senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church
in Plymouth, Wisconsin, and assistant coordinator for stewardship
for the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
Heath R. Curtis is senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church
in Worden, Illinois, and coordinator for stewardship for the
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
Harold L. Senkbeil is executive director emeritus of
DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care. His pastoral
experience of nearly five decades includes parish ministry, the
seminary classroom, and parachurch leadership. He is author of
numerous books, including award--winning The Care of Souls,
Christ and Calamity, and Dying to Live.
Stewardship is a subject few enjoy or even want to discuss. But
Pastors Curtis and Meador not only discuss it, they seem to enjoy
it. And you should too. The authors explore Stewardship, not as a
necessary evil of Church life, but as a gift from God to his
people. They help us think pastorally about our vocations and the
duties of those vocations. They put Stewardship into the
pulpit before it enters the conference room. They know that the
crucified and risen Jesus changes the way we see our God, our
neighbors, our vocations and yes, even our money.
--Rev. Todd Wilken, host of Issues, Etc.Pastors
Meador and Curtis have done a masterful job of exploring the what,
the how, and the why of Christian stewardship. From the identity of
the steward to the culture of the congregation, they provide a
guidebook for pastors, congregational leaders, and members as they
live out what it means to be a steward by God's design. I encourage
pastors and leaders to read and study this important book
together.
--Rev. Dr. Wayne J. Knolhoff, former director of
stewardship for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and former
Director of the Center for Stewardship at Concordia Seminary in St.
LouisStewardship for the Care of Souls is a wonderful book
that will help pastors, church leaders, and individuals think
wisely and biblically, rather than merely pragmatically, about the
importance of stewardship in all aspects of our life, including,
but not limited to finances. Nathan Meador and Heath Curtis bring
years of pastoral ministry experience to this project, weaving
together theological commitments, biblical understanding, wisdom
from their years of service, and insightful counsel for teaching
and addressing these vitally important issues in the life of a
congregation. This brief volume is another excellent contribution
to the outstanding Lexham Ministry Series.
--David S. Dockery, president, International
Alliance for Christian Education and Distinguished Professor of
Theology, Southwestern SeminaryPastors Nathan Meador and Heath
Curtis provide a Christ-centered, pastoral guide to guiding souls
from idolatry to joyful generosity. Through the school of hard
knocks, faithfulness to Christ's word, pastoral care, and careful
analysis, they have gained a wealth of wisdom. I've seen these men
in action, winsomely teaching pastors and lay leaders, giving
candid, down-to-earth, and road-tested insights into changing a
congregation's stewardship culture. The book's conversational style
and faithful teaching invites inexperienced and seasoned pastors
and lay leaders to consider a plan that will strengthen and benefit
the Lord's church for decades to come. I'm so thankful this wisdom
is in print.
--Rev. David C. Fleming, executive director for
spiritual care, DOXOLOGY: the Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care
and CounselEvery pastor should read this book. The engaging stories
reveal how attention to the care of souls marks the pathway for
creating a culture of faithful stewardship in your church.
--Rev. Dr. Gary G. Hoag, president & CEO, Global
Trust PartnersFor the past twenty years there has been a growing
movement toward recapturing the theology of the faithful steward
for the body of Christ. Much of this work has focused on the
para-church world. What has been missing is a winsome, robust and
Biblically grounded resource specifically for pastors. Nathan
Meador and Heath Curtis have now produced just such a resource.
Written by seasoned pastors for pastors, Stewardship for the Care
of Souls is an absolute gem. You will find here a compelling call
to rethink most everything you thought you knew about 'stewardship'
and discover how God's gift of stewardship can transform your
church culture and open your church up to be a place that truly
preaches the fullness of the gospel. By viewing stewardship as
pastoral care, Meador and Curtis have given us a fresh approach to
this critical discipline of the church. I pray every pastor reads
this book, and seminaries will include it in their curriculum. It
is a treasure!
--Dr. R. Scott Rodin, president of The Steward's
Journey, and author of The Steward Leader, Stewards in
the Kingdom, and Steward Leader MeditationsNathan and
Heath skillfully craft a refreshed perspective on stewardship. With
soul care at its core, pastor shepherds discover how the whole
counsel of God can enrich congregations in a stewardship-grounded
identity that brings life and joy. Outflanking the usual pastoral
chatter about giving techniques, this connection to stewardship as
soul care will add depth, freedom, and joy to your pastoral
passion. As a secondary win in this artful endeavor, your ministry
will very likely be abundantly funded.
--Brad Leeper, principal at GenerisI appreciate
the way Nathan and Heath approach the topic of stewardship--it's
more about caring for the heart of the giver rather than about the
money that is in their wallet. As spiritual leaders of the church,
we need to help our people understand that it isn't what we want
from them but for them. Changing the culture of stewardship takes
intentionality and commitment. This book is a great foundational
resource to begin moving forward toward the soul care of the
giver.
--Sherri Adams, Generis consultant and executive
director of stewardship and generosity at Christ Church, Oak Brook
ILStewardship isn't a sales pitch. Nor is it a
step-by-step manual on "how" to raise money. At its heart,
Stewardship is about transformation. Nathan and Heath nail
it. Finally, a thoughtful discussion focused on shepherding the
hearts that make the decisions to fund churches and ministries all
over the world. I strongly recommend considering the core message
of this timely book.
--Brent Halvorsen, Church Generis strategist,
Generis Partners, LLC The cultural shift away from Christendom
toward a more secular society makes it increasingly necessary for
Christians to give an account of what they believe and how they
live. This is true for all areas of Christian faith and life,
including the way we think of such things as property and
responsibility toward others. Rather than focusing on methods or
results, Meador and Curtis consider why Christians think and talk
about (much less practice) lives of stewardship. The answer they
give is grounded in the biblical narrative and its description of a
Creator who freely makes all things. He has made human beings in
His own image and, through the gracious work of Jesus, remakes His
people for participation in His work of caring for and restoring
creation. This book provides a solid foundation for anyone who
seeks to encourage a life of faithful stewardship.
--Peter H. Nafzger, M.Div., Ph.D. assistant
professor of practical theology; director of student life,
Concordia SeminaryHere is a book worth reading; a refreshing
perspective on stewardship. Anchored in the biblical theology of
stewardship with a continued focus on the practical care of souls,
Revs Meador and Curtis use their own stewardship stories to draw
the reader into a richer view of stewardship in the life of the
Christian. The why of Christian stewardship remains the heart of
center, entirely informing the what and how. There is plenty of
practical application in these pages but not as you have
experienced before. The pastoral art of teaching and preaching
along with the culture that embodies a congregation's routine are
challenged and pressed beyond simple program and useless cliche.
Here is real meat for those hungry to engender in souls a theology
of stewardship that sanctifies all of life.
--Rev. Bart Day, president and CEO, Lutheran
Church Extension Fund
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