Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices

September 2019

Mobilizing our Assets for Mission

An Audacious Spirit of Abundance
By Sandy Webb
Are we open to new ways of being community? In An Audacious Spirit of Abundance, Sandy Webb shares the story of Church of the Holy Communion’s Audacity Fund and the projects it supported that led to a dramatic shift in the life of his church and community.
Editor's Letter October 2019
By Charis Bhagianathan
In this issue we bring you ideas for using the existing assets at our disposal in new and transformational ways.
Editor's Letter September 2019
By Charis Bhagianathan
Over the next few weeks, we will be hearing about stewardship a lot. When we contemplate stewardship, how often do we consider assets that aren’t money? When we want to start new ministries that will revitalize the communities around us, are we truly harnessing all the gifts we’ve been given? In this issue, we share different approaches to best use our many gifts, mobilizing them effectively to further our ministries.
Extension Ministries and Risk
By Steve Follos
Extension ministries are great way to use church property effectively – engaging with the community to fill a real need, while also supplementing the church’s income. But are there any risks to consider? In Extension Ministries and Risk, Steve Follos describes ways to mitigate risk and protect your church in these situations.
Los cinco mitos principales de la mayordomía
By Bill Campbell
La palabra mito se emplea a menudo para describir ideas o creencias falsas o erróneas, pero que se consideran ampliamente como verdades. Esa definición coincide con muchas ideas sobre la mayordomía que circulan por la Iglesia. A continuación, tomo las creencias más generalizadas, describo lo poco o nada que ayudan y ofrezco mejores maneras de enseñar y tratar la mayordomía en nuestras congregaciones.
Nostalgia Is a Disease
By Kirk Berlenbach
What if the first step to growing is letting go of the past? In Nostalgia Is a Disease, Kirk Berlenbach suggests that what we need to be effective as a church is to free ourselves from the yoke of nostalgia, to look outwards to the community and redefine what a ‘successful church’ looks like in our unique context.
Putting Our Buildings to Work
By David Robinson
A church building is a gift that we must consider using to its fullest potential. In Putting Our Buildings to Work, David Robinson invites us to be open to all possibilities and lists ideas for transforming church spaces.
Stewardship and Land
By Brian Sellers-Petersen
What can you do with land? Turns out, the sky is the limit! In Stewardship and Land, Brian Sellers-Peterson shares his view of our greatest common asset – land, and provides numerous examples of active ministries that take advantage of this often underutilized gift.
The Top Five Stewardship Myths
By Bill Campbell
Do you encounter a lot of beliefs and ideas about stewardship at your church? In The Top Five Stewardship Myths, Bill Campbell addresses some common myths around stewardship and offers suggestions on how to make the best use of our assets.
Turning Burdens Into Blessings
By Demi Prentiss
If you’ve been blessed with home ownership, have you considered how can you turn that into an asset that will benefit many others? In Turning Burdens into Blessings, Demi Prentiss explains Charitable Remainder Unitrusts, a charitable gift instrument that can benefit both you and the communities you care about.
Un espíritu audaz de abundancia
By Sandy Webb
Un espíritu de escasez puede desmoronar una parroquia, mientras que un espíritu de abundancia la puede edificar.
Uncovering Hidden Treasure
By Demi Prentiss
Have you considered what resources you might have hidden in plain sight? In Uncovering Hidden Treasure, Demi Prentiss narrates the experiences of different churches in finding and using their underutilized assets in powerful, missional ways.