Authors
TESTIMONIALS
About
The Book
What does it look like when pastors cultivate a culture of generosity in the church by actively teaching and mentoring people in the spiritual act of giving?
It's generosity that's contagious. A growing number of leaders are beginning to discover that there are key factors that make some churches thrive with abundant resources while others struggle with shrinking budgets.
Jim Sheppard and Chris Willard have spent years consulting with church leaders across a broad spectrum of church settings and have gathered their observations into this resource, part of the Leadership Network Innovations Series.
Contagious Generosity highlights the best practices gleaned from real-life church leadership situations and shows how church leaders can effectively cultivate a culture of generous giving in the local church. It explains why some churches are experiencing unexplainable ministry growth and unprecedented church funding... even in the midst of tough economic times. Read the foreword by Robert Morris
Foreword For Contagious Generosity
When I wrote The Blessed Life, it was my hope that Christians everywhere would be inspired to live a life of generosity. Generosity and giving are incredibly important to me. As I've followed God's principles of giving, there are many times I have found myself on the giving and receiving ends of generosity. I've experienced the "blessed life" that results from obeying God in this area, and I find it so important to communicate this truth to others that it has become my life message.
As Gateway Church has grown over the last 12 years, the Lord has directed us to make generosity a core value of everything we do. We know God has called us to wisely manage our finances, as a church and as individuals so we can be the people God has called us to be. I want my congregation to be financially healthy so they can enthusiastically participate in Gods work in the kingdom.
That being said, I want to emphasize that we do not pursue generosity and stewardship as a fundraising strategy for our church. Our main goal is to raise up generous stewards. The point is to give, not to get. When you understand that everything you have comes from God, you'll have no problem using your resources to build His kingdom. He will take care of the rest.
Over the years, I've met many pastors who have asked me for help in this area. There are many churches that spend too much time focusing on making the budget work for their needs, not the needs of the kingdom. Many of their hearts are in the right place, but they need practical ways to grow generosity in their hearts and in the hearts of their congregation.
I am thankful that Jim Sheppard and Chris Willard have collaborated to bring their shared observations to the church. Their advice, which is the result of countless hours with hundreds of churches, is not to be ignored. I loved the chapter, "Follow Me," where they show how generosity has to start with leadership. I know that in order for Gateway to be a generous church, I have to first be a generous leader. The Lord has helped my wife, Debbie, and me to be generous leaders, a standard which is now mirrored in our church. Because of this generosity, God has done and is doing incredible things through Gateway Church.
I know the Lord wants to work the miracle of generosity in your church, too. Contagious Generosity will transform your thinking on biblical stewardship. Take these principles to heart as you seek to encourage and grow the people the Lord has placed under your care.