Six (and final) sessions of Generosity Watch Parties recordings and curated resources are available below. Each session brings a power packed hour+ of information covering important technical aspects; critical adaptive components; and the spiritual grounding that centers and connects us all to God’s work! 

Following each session, we provide access on this webpage to additional online resources curated by our presenters about each topic.

instructions:
Many of the followup materials below require a login to access the Center for Generosity (CFG) from GSB Fundraising. The 3E Lilly Endowment grant is providing a subscription at no cost to individuals, rostered and lay, in the Rocky Mountain Synod for 2022. To request your subscription, fill out this sign up form and Deb Elstad will provide you with a login and instructions for using this online resource. After login, you can select by number those referenced in the links below; and some Documents will open directly and others will require a download. Contact Deb Elstad if you have technical difficulties reaching any of the linked materials.

Generosity Watch Party #6: Abundance Mindset, September 24, 2022

Link to Recorded Session:

  • Abundance Mindset, Session #6. Presenters: Rev. Michael Ward, GSB Fundraising, Tina Kvitek, RMS Director of Development, Rev. Richard Foss, co-director of the.coordination program for Lilly Endowment's National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders,

Presentation Materials Shared:

Links to Recommended or Referenced Followup Materials:

Generosity Watch Party #5: Not Stewardship in a Box, August 27, 2022

Link to Recorded Session:

Links to Recommended or Referenced Followup Materials:

  • Consider attending one of these Master Classes on the Center for Generosity:
    • Link: Monday 12th of September 2022 at 10:00am MDT:
      • Master Class for Congregational Leaders, Nathan Swenson Reinhold
        It is important to preach about generosity throughout the year.  
    • Link: Monday 26th of September 2022 at 10:00am MDT:
      • Master Class for Congregational Leaders, Paul Walters
        Every congregation has been impacted by the COVID shut downs. As the new normal returns, and the church begins to gather in person, discover steps to take to re-engage people and inspire them to get off the couch, change out of pajamas, and gather in person. 

Note: (times shown on the CFG website show as EDT) Join a Master Class at 10:00am MDT: Log into https://centerforgenerosity.com/, click on the program title under programs as early as 10 minutes prior to the start of the roundtable.  Once you click on this, a new screen appears with an option to “join the Zoom”.  If you ever have questions or issues joining a roundtable (again, you can join starting 10 minutes prior to the start time), contact Mike at ward@gsbfr.com.

  • Podcast:
    • Congregational Vitality No. 1 Revisited
      A revisit of recommendations for congregations reflecting on stewardship in a pandemic: 1) What's Different, 2) Our Theological Grounding, 3) Immediate Steps for Stability

Generosity Watch Party #4: Practicing Gratitude, July 30, 202

Link to Recorded Session:

Presentation Materials Shared by Bruce and Kelly Stahlman:

Quotes:

  • The early 20th Century Irish dramatist, critic and social reformer George Bernard Shaw said: “This is the true joy in life:  The being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.  The being a force of nature, instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making me happy.  I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.  I rejoice in life for its own sake.  Life is no “brief candle” to me; it is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
  • Surgeon Dr. Bernie Siegel in Love, Medicine & Miracles said:
    “In a life out of harmony with itself, events seem to conspire to go wrong but by the same token they mesh wondrously when you start to live your bliss.  Perhaps this is another way of saying you create your own opportunities out of the same raw materials from which other people create their defeats.”
  • And the 20th Century American philosopher Wayne Dyer said: 
    “Above all else, never aim low or think small.  You are a divine manifestation of God, and in that regard you are connected to that which causes and creates miracles.  So stop focusing on what you don’t have, and shift your consciousness to an appreciation for all you are and all that you do have.”
  • From Bruce: 
    “Remember, you can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf! I wish you all the best and I hope you believe me when I say first and always, it’s about gratitude.”

Links to Recommended or Referenced Followup Materials:

Generosity Watch Party #3: Generosity and the Budget, March 26, 2022

Link to Recorded Session:

Links to PowerPoint presentation slides shown in the recording, January 22:

Links to Recommended or Referenced Followup Materials:

Books:

  • A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri J. M. Nouwen
  • A Spirituality of Fundraising - Workbook Edition by Henri J. M. Nouwen
    Suggestion: Either of these versions are great providers of inspiration and grounding for your giving messages. His original book is small (64 pages) and some congregations have made books available for their entire congregations. The workbook provides a 4 week guide and is especially helpful for your stewardship team, council or other leadership groups to 'listen, journal, pray, act' on the spiritual foundation of invitation to our congregations to give.

Generosity Watch Party #2: Storytelling, February 26, 2022

Link to Recorded Session:

  •  Storytelling; Session #2 Presenters: Deb Elstad, Pr. Inga Onya Longbrake and Mitzie Schafer

Links to PowerPoint presentation slides shown in the recording, January 22:

Links to Recommended or Referenced Followup Materials:

Books:

  • Braiding Sweetgrass
    by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • A Native Way of Giving
    by Forrest S. Cuch and Michael Carney

Generosity Watch Party #1: Congregation Governance, January 22, 2022

Link to Recorded Session:

  • Governance, Session #1 Presenters: Evan Moilan, Rev. Sarah Moening, Tina Kvitek

Links to PowerPoint presentation slides shown in the recording, January 22:

Links to Recommended or Referenced Followup Materials:

Books:

  • Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards
    by Barbara E. Taylor, Richard Chait, and William P. Ryan

  • Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership
    by Dan Hotchkiss

  • Clear, Calm, and Connected: Reflections on Church Leadership
    by Paul E. Walters and Robert F. Holley

  • The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World
    by Alexander Grashow, Marty Linsky, and Ronald Heifetz

Looking for responses to questions asked in the session? Have more questions, comments?

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EXTERNAL RESOURCES