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 cliché. 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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