Funding Forward – Leading Organizations to Financial Stability (CL 4567)

Organizations often struggle to develop financial support for their mission. Congregations, in particular, are realizing that the “Sunday morning offering” may not be enough to sustain their mission. This course will consider innovative practices for guiding leaders from missional imagination to practical implementation, emphasizing the role of money in sustainable development. This course will explore a wide-range of faith-motivated leadership settings, including non-profits, established congregations seeking alternative funding arrangements, new ministries in existing congregations, and emerging faith communities, as well as a variety of different funding sources.

Money and the Mission of the Church (CL 4560)

Financial stewardship is essential to the life and mission of both congregations and the wider church. This course includes a study of biblical texts related to giving and stewardship of resources, the meaning of money, one’s own attitudes regarding money and stewardship, theological foundation for financial stewardship, the importance of pastoral leadership in a congregation’s stewardship, analysis of stewardship programs, engagement with church leaders, and discussion of practical application to contemporary congregational life and preaching.