Brethren attend conference on Christian philanthropy.

"Gateway to Giving" was the theme of the 26th North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy (NACCP) this past week, held by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center (ESC) literally under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Mo. The General Board is an important partner and contributor to the training and stewardship resource production efforts of the ESC, said Ken Neher, the board's director for Funding and Donor Development, in his report on the conference.

Twenty Church of the Brethren pastors, stewardship advocates, representatives of care facilities, and General Board staff were among the 250 people at the event. Southern Ohio District was well represented because of an anonymous donor with a passion for stewardship, who paid registration fees with the request that attendees who feel they have received from the event pay for another person to attend with them at the next event in two years. That generosity is making it possible for Southern Ohio to build a solid core of motivated and trained stewardship mentors and advocates, Neher said.

Keynote presentations were by Martin Marty, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School and author of over 50 books on topical issues of Christianity. Daily worship was led by Anthony Bailey, senior minister of Parkdale United Church in Canada. In one evening session, attendees were treated to the poignant humor of Mennonite comedians Ted and Lee. Among other pieces, the duo performed "Don't Sit on Your Stuff," a stewardship story co-sponsored by General Board stewardship staff and videotaped and distributed to many Brethren congregations over a year ago as part of a stewardship resource packet.

Two full days of breakout sessions were presented in three tracks for congregational leaders, development leaders, and a general track. Seminars ranged from "The ABCs of Giving," to "Kids and Money," to "Financial Planning for Ministers." Teaching and discussions ranged from the very basics of motivations for giving, to cutting-edge understandings of Christian stewardship in a material-oriented culture.

In his workshop "Speaking of Money," ESC director Ed Taylor asked, "Why are you afraid to give as much as you'd like to give?" and then challenged the church with the question, "How can the church address the worry that delays or lowers our giving and the joy that would follow?" That question is "something for us all to ponder!" said Neher, who invited Brethren to plan to attend the next NACCP in 2006.

Source: Newsline 5/7/2004
top