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1 Page 1 of 7 November 28, 2006 Issue #38 Like most pastors, Dave Cox dreaded churning out his obligatory, annual tithing sermon. He was usually just glad to get it over with. That is, until Dave says he woke up to a hard reality: His church was neglecting to teach and train people how to live a lifestyle of biblical generosity -- and his people were suffering. Leadership Network Eclipses 400,000 in Book Sales The Leadership Network book series, published with Jossey- Bass, recently passed the 400,000 mark in total sales. The partnership between Leadership Network and Jossey-Bass produced its first book in 2000, and has since published a total of 18 titles. "I had been a coward," admits Dave, senior pastor of Westside Family Church in the greater Kansas City area. "I had shrunk back from what God's Word had to say. I was afraid, and I didn't know how people would react when we challenged them to do away with a self-serving way of life. "People were making more money than ever before. But it was tearing their families apart and they were giving less to the kingdom." It was then that Dave and the leadership of Westside made a decision that many innovative churches are making in the area of stewardship and generosity. They put in motion a comprehensive, strategic and intentional plan -- and the resources to go with it -- that would teach their congregation how to live as "managers" of all God has given them, rather than owners. A quick rundown of 10 resources utilized most often by churches that are leading the way in developing lifestyles of generosity and biblical stewardship: Journey to True Financial Freedom Seminar The most popular church seminar, with several held every month around the country. Financial Peace University This 13-week video series by radio personality Dave Ramsey is a biblically based accountability class designed to teach families how to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Click here for eight more... CCN Rebroadcast of Off-Road Disciplines In a special Church Communication Network rebroadcast on December 7, 2006, author and professor Dr. Earl Creps explores "paradigm crashes" -- disconnects between the American church and the culture it is commanded to reach. Church leaders who focus on generous giving find that once-a-year pledges or capital campaigns don't do enough to foster the lifestyle they want to see reproduced in their people. Without practical, focused tools to teach the principles and practices of a generous life, church members will likely remain unchanged in this matter of the heart. "We have never shied away from talking about money," says Terry Busch, executive pastor of Centre Street Evangelical Missionary Church in Calgary. "However, I think we've frustrated people by talking about what Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders

http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/nov06s2.htm Page 2 of 7 they could do and should do without giving them the tools they need to learn how to do those things.

2 Page 2 of 7 they could do and should do without giving them the tools they need to learn how to do those things." For church leaders who echo Terry's sentiments, there is good news. The storehouse of tools to teach generous giving and biblical stewardship is rapidly expanding -- with solid off-the-shelf resources that are being refined to meet the needs of modern-day churchgoers. Churches that are ahead of the curve in developing the teaching component of a generous culture start their teaching at the top with staff and leaders. And they address a full... Journey (NYC) Hosting Free Church Planting Conference In conjunction with the release of the book Launch: Starting a New Church From Scratch (Regal Jan 07), authors and pastors Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas of The Journey Church will lead the free National Church Planting Conference, January 22-23, 2007 in metro New York City. Batterson Releases In a Pit with a Lion Mark Batterson, founding pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, a multi-site congregation meeting in movie theaters at metro stops, has recently released the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive when Opportunity Roars (Multnomah). MovieGuide Supporting Church's "Nativity" Efforts MovieGuide, a ministry dedicated to redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles, is developing educational support materials for churches to take advantage of the major film release on December 1, 2006 of "The Nativity Story." Grace Global Network Grace Global Network is a ministry dedicated to locating, training, connecting, resourcing, and multiplying healthy movements of church planting around the world. Grace is building its network by connecting innovative leaders with each other, and helping church planters to adopt the kinds of thought processes that support effective church planting. Off-Road Disciplines explores 12 central spiritual disciplines -- six personal (death, truth, perspective, learning, witness, humility) and six organizational (assessment, harmony, reflection, opportunity, sacrifice, legacy) -- that can change Christian leaders and their ministries to engage the culture around them. Each chapter provides a map of the cultural terrain leaders must navigate, with insights on how the process of personal spiritual formation can transform organizations. To download a free sample chapter, click here. You can find valuable information on a variety of ministry topics by visiting the Leadership Network Advance Archives. Some past issues include these feature articles: Continual Capital Campaigns: The "New Reality" for Larger Churches" Beyond "Making Budget" For Your Church The Engagement Matrix: Enlarging The Heart, Expanding the Kingdom High-Yield Church Planting Begins with Radical Shifts Printer Friendly Version

3 Page 3 of 7 Like most pastors, Dave Cox dreaded churning out his obligatory, annual tithing sermon. He was usually just glad to get it over with. That is, until Dave says he woke up to a hard reality: His church was neglecting to teach and train people how to live a lifestyle of biblical generosity -- and his people were suffering. "I had been a coward," admits Dave, senior pastor of Westside Family Church in the greater Kansas City area. "I had shrunk back from what God's Word had to say. I was afraid, and I didn't know how people would react when we challenged them to do away with a self-serving way of life. "People were making more money than ever before. But it was tearing their families apart and they were giving less to the kingdom." It was then that Dave and the leadership of Westside made a decision that many innovative churches are making in the area of stewardship and generosity. They put in motion a comprehensive, strategic and intentional plan -- and the resources to go with it -- that would teach their congregation how to live as "managers" of all God has given them, rather than owners. Church leaders who focus on generous giving find that once-a-year pledges or capital campaigns don't do enough to foster the lifestyle they want to see reproduced in their people. Without practical, focused tools to teach the principles and practices of a generous life, church members will likely remain unchanged in this matter of the heart. "We have never shied away from talking about money," says Terry Busch, executive pastor of Centre Street Evangelical Missionary Church in Calgary. "However, I think we've frustrated people by talking about what they could do and should do without giving them the tools they need to learn how to do those things." For church leaders who echo Terry's sentiments, there is good news. The storehouse of tools to teach generous giving and biblical stewardship is rapidly expanding -- with solid off-the-shelf resources that are being refined to meet the needs of modern-day churchgoers. Churches that are ahead of the curve in developing the teaching component of a generous culture start their teaching at the top with staff and leaders. And they address a full spectrum of needs -- from those in financial crisis to A quick rundown of 10 resources utilized most often by churches that are leading the way in developing lifestyles of generosity and biblical stewardship: Journey to True Financial Freedom Seminar The most popular church seminar, with several held every month around the country. Financial Peace University This 13-week video series by radio personality Dave Ramsey is a biblically based accountability class designed to teach families how to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Good Sense Budget Course (Willow Creek Association) The goal of the Good Sense Budget Course is for each participant to commit to and begin developing a biblically-

4 Page 4 of 7 the most wealthy individuals and the 80 percent in-between. Teaching Generosity Begins with Leaders For churches that are setting the pace in cultivating a generous culture, leaders not only talk a good game; they are the first to get training and are modeling biblical stewardship and generosity. Some church leaders model a generous life by giving up their salary during months of special giving, or donating 20% of their time to causes outside of their congregation. Some churches are taking modeling all the way to the classroom, requiring their staff to be trained in biblical financial principles. Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, GA is training its department heads in Saddleback Church's new resource Managing Our Finances God's Way. Those department heads will in turn train all of their staff members, resulting in the entire staff of 130 being trained within two months. Mount Pisgah is paying for all of the training material and giving staff members time during work hours to complete the training. "If we're going to make generosity part of the culture, the leadership has to buy into it and live it," says Mount Pisgah member Glenn Davenport. "We want it to become a core competency. We want to be intentional and focus on it, not just give it lip service and preach about it." Teaching that Covers the Full Spectrum Churches that are serious about biblical stewardship and generosity know they can't focus just on those in crisis on one end of the spectrum, or the most affluent on the other end. Generous living is a topic that knows no age limit or economic status. Dave Cox at Westside has seen nearly 800 people complete the Crown Ministries financial classes, and found "it targets givers at every level, from the guy who is horribly in debt to the most wealthy." based budget or "Spending Plan." Business by the Book Seminar This seminar challenges participants to apply biblical principles to every aspect of business. The Treasure Principle Workshop The first study in Crown's new "Workshop in a Box" series, teaches the joy of giving. Managing Our Finances God's Way (Saddleback Church in partnership with Crown Ministries) A seven-week, video-based small group study that inspires members to live debt-free and/or manage finances in a way that enables them to respond to God's calling. Momentum With this Dave Ramsey resource, churches develop cash-flow building projects and operate debt free, rather than taking on "manageable debt." The Treasure Principle and Fields of Gold Numerous innovative churches have distributed free copies of the books The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn (Multnomah) or Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley (Tyndale House) in conjunction with a message series. Generous Giving Generous Giving is a privately funded ministry that seeks to encourage givers of all income levels, as well as pastors, church and lay leaders to experience the joy of giving and embrace a lifestyle of generosity. In trying to address the needs that exist across the economic continuum, Gateway Church in Southlake, TX is intentionally working to meet the needs of four groups: People in Crisis People who Need the Basics People who Have Healthy Financial Lives People who Are Wealthy Gateway's Gunnar Johnson says that while most of the resources being produced address those in crisis well, material for those who are financially healthy is still the most neglected field in stewardship training. "These are typically 30-somethings with fairly disposable income," Gunnar says. "They want to know, 'What does the Bible say about me?' We want to help them grapple with the questions, 'How much is enough? Why has God given me this surplus?'" For those in need of immediate financial help or even ongoing benevolence, churches are taking some innovative approaches. Some require anyone who receives charitable contributions to attend financial training classes or meet with a financial counselor.

5 Page 5 of 7 "Instead of paying their utility bill, we will pay for a session with a financial planner," says Centre Street's Kervin Raugust. "Sometimes that's the most helpful thing we can do." Church leaders say those who are wealthy are often the most difficult to serve in the area of stewardship. But many leading generous churches are navigating their way and beginning to provide helpful ministries to those with financial means. Many churches are establishing foundations to aid the wealthy in planned giving, as well as workshops on topics such as tax laws and their impact on long-term investments. Some church-based foundations are developing new initiatives for giving, such as life insurance as a gifting tool, setting up wills and facilitating estates. Gateway has developed a unique twist for some of its well-to-do members with a "Boardroom" Stewardship Series for several of the church's CEOs, business owners or significant managers in the marketplace. The groups of 10 meet once a month for three to four hours in the corporate boardroom of a group member. The meeting is run by business leaders, with a goal of providing accountability and encouragement in a nonreligious setting. "They give each other encouragement and accountability regarding family, relationships, morals and travel," Gunnar says. "They help each other be successful, not just as a giver, but with every aspect of life." Generous Giving and Leadership Network have formed a strategic partnership to develop the Generous Churches Leadership Community focused on peer learning by innovative churches intent on creating cultures of generosity. For more information, visit or contact Byron Vankley.

6 Page 6 of 7 Leadership Network Eclipses 400,000 in Book Sales The Leadership Network book series, published with Jossey-Bass, recently passed the 400,000 mark in total sales. The partnership between Leadership Network and Jossey-Bass produced its first book in 2000, and has since published a total of 18 titles. With an average of three new releases each year, the series presents thoroughly researched and innovative concepts from leading thinkers, practitioners and pioneering churches. Titles that have sold the best include Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christian (2001), Reggie McNeal's The Present Future (2003) and Neil Cole's Organic Church (2005). "Jossey-Bass is a longstanding friend of Leadership Network," says Greg Ligon, publisher for Leadership Network. "We've worked with Jossey-Bass for over 10 years, and the Leadership Network Publications imprint will allow us to continue bringing innovative thought leadership to thousands of Christian leaders for years to come." To see all the books in the series click the link above. CCN Rebroadcast of Off-Road Disciplines In a special Church Communication Network rebroadcast on December 7, 2006, author and professor Dr. Earl Creps explores "paradigm crashes" -- disconnects between the American church and the culture it is commanded to reach. Creps discusses the concept in his book that the modern church needs missional leaders who pursue not only "on-road" practices such as prayer and Bible reading, but also "off-road" disciplines that form a missional heart. Dr. Earl Creps is Director of the Doctoral Ministry Program in Pentecostal Leadership at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO.

7 Page 7 of 7 Journey (NYC) Hosting Free Church Planting Conference In conjunction with the release of the book Launch: Starting a New Church From Scratch (Regal Jan 07), authors and pastors Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas of The Journey Church will lead the free National Church Planting Conference, January 22-23, 2007 in metro New York City. During this two-day event at The Korean Church of Queens, Nelson and Kerrick will explore from scratch to success in launching a new church. The conference is designed for church planters, pastors and church leaders planning to start a new church or anyone looking for the latest insight into church planting success. Nelson started The Journey Church of the City in New York, NY in The congregation has grown from a handful of people to more than 1,000. The Journey is an innovative, multicultural church in Manhattan and is one of the fastest-growing churches in the Northeast. The conference is free with RSVP at the website, $35 at the door. For questions, contact Lauren at (212) x212 or lauren@nyjourney.com. Batterson Releases In a Pit with a Lion Mark Batterson, founding pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, a multi-site congregation meeting in movie theaters at metro stops, has recently released the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive when Opportunity Roars (Multnomah). The faith-stretching narrative, inspired by the biblical character Benaiah in 2 Sam. 23:20-22, invites readers to chase lions: "I think God wants to raise up a generation of lion chasers," Mark told Advance. "Way too many Christians are living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. But our greatest regrets at the end of our lives won't be the mistakes we've made, but the lions we didn't chase. That's what we are destined to do." MovieGuide Supporting Church's "Nativity" Efforts MovieGuide, a ministry dedicated to redeeming the values of the mass media according to biblical principles, is developing educational support materials for churches to take advantage of the major film release on December 1, 2006 of "The Nativity Story." Along with a review of the film, MovieGuide is offering sermons and discussion guides for families, small groups and youth at the group's website. Church leaders can also call Stew Heller at the Movieguide office in California ( ) to arrange for in-person, direct support for your congregation.

Leadership Network - ADVANCE

Leadership Network - ADVANCE http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet/advance/may05.htm Page 1 of 2 High-Yield Church Planting Begins with Radical Shifts "You've planted one or two churches. Now what would it take to plant 10? And after