A problem facing many churches today is the lack of strong leadership in the area of stewardship, particularly the stewardship of financial resources. Church leaders--clergy and laity--have had little or no training in this area, and they feel uncomfortable and embarrassed in encouraging financial support for the church's ministries.
Failure to provide decisive leadership in this area has had negative consequences for the church, including a decreasing percentage of charitable dollars directed toward churches and a growing lack of understanding among church members of the relationship between giving and spiritual growth.
Creating Generous Congregations is written to assist church leaders in gaining necessary expertise in the stewardship of financial resources, so that persons will be invited to grow spiritually and the various ministries of the church will flourish.
David L. Heetland is Senior Vice President for Planned Giving at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He is the author of Happy Surprises: Help Others Discover the Joy of Giving.
“David Heetland’s writings have been foundational to my understanding of fundraising. They provided an education I wish I had gotten in seminary but did not. I am grateful for his work.”
—J. Clif Christopher, Founder and CEO of Horizons Stewardship and author of Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate
“Creating Generous Congregations offers a welcome gift to church leaders. In addition to a wealth of pragmatic resources, one of its most compelling aspects is the theological understanding of stewardship as a way of life. Defined as fundamentally a spiritual matter, the committed practice of stewardship will necessarily lead us into a closer relationship with God.”
—Lallene J. Rector, President, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
“Heetland describes accurately and persuasively the role of clergy and laity in advancing stewardship. I recommend the book to anyone thinking seriously about enhancing the philanthropic potential within the local church.”
—Russ Weigand, former Co-President, Campbell and Company
“Here you can learn from a master in the art of fundraising. . . . Before you spend several thousand dollars on a fundraising consultant, study David Heetland’s method in Creating Generous Congregations and see if it might be your congregation’s ticket to a renewed plan for congregational fundraising.”
—Ted A. Campbell, Professor of Church History, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University
“Heetland, a national leader in fundraising, outlines ways in which congregations can be formed into communities of faithful and joyful generosity. I admire the book’s theological integrity, its practicality, and its encouraging and optimistic tone.”
—Neal F. Fisher, President Emeritus, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and author of The Parables of Jesus
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