PRESENTATIONS
The First Move: Consumerism and Culture
Consumerism as the Opposite of Greed
Presenter: William Cavanaugh
Greed is the inordinate attachment to material goods.
Consumerism, by contrast, is characterized by detachment from production, producers, and products. This presentation will describe the history and dynamics of consumerism, and present a theological response.
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A frugal embrace
Presenter: Chris Farrell
For too long we’ve equated living better with owning lots of stuff, most of it bought on credit. We always realized that wasn’t quite right, especially as we became a wealthier society.
Now, with the harsh economy many people are struggling to save more and borrow less. But beneath those sensible actions lie a far bigger shift in everyday behavior and financial values.
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Money can't buy me love...or can it?
Presenter: David Lose
We live in a culture with strong and conflicted notions about both the importance of money and the dangers of materialism. What are these messages?
Where did they come from? How do they influence our lives, consciously and unconsciously, as Christian stewards?
And how does the gospel help us navigate and respond to a culture that has an ongoing love/hate relationship with money?
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The Second Move: Connecting Faith and Finances
For Richer or for Poorer
Presenter: Linda Norman
Our personal relationship with finances is informed by our experience of faith as much as by our economic circumstances. Engaging stories of God’s people in times of abundance and scarcity, this presentation will offer an opportunity to explore the interconnectedness of faith and finances.
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Money Sanity Solutions: Linking Money and Meaning
Presenter: Nathan Dungan
According to the American Psychological Association, 80 percent of adults list money as the number one source of stress in their lives.
How does our deep-seeded financial anxiety square with our ability to be generous and respond to the needs of the world?
Dungan will explore topical themes to shed light on the current economic environment, as well as offer hopeful ideas to enhance your connection between money and meaning.
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Choosing resilience
Presenter: Catherine Malotky
What is the purpose/mission of your financial life?
Let’s challenge the cultural perspective that it’s enough to say “to make money.” Instead, we can respond more expansively, rooted in values that spring from faith’s well. From there, we can make economic choices with more intention, which won’t yet make life easy, but can make it healthier ... and faith-full.
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The Third Move: Discipleship and Generosity
Good News for Tough Economic Times
Presenter: Mark Allan Powell
In the last few years, many individuals and congregations have experienced an "economic downturn" that has forced them to cut back on savings, spending, and (often) giving. The church’s mission at this time calls for leadership that will inspire both care and confidence. Fortunately, the Bible offers some positive good news for facing tough economic times.
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Stewardship Turned on Its Head
Presenter: Andrea White
What would happen to our practice of stewardship if we reverse the direction of the stewardship question?
What if the starting point for stewardship is not, "What do I have left over to give?," but "What does God require and what does our human community need?"
This presentation will explore what a theocentric concept of stewardship looks like.
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The Fourth Move: Learning from Success
Pastor, People, Generosity & Joy!
Presenter: Gary Langness
This presentation will address what is helpful to set the climate for generous and joyful stewardship in the life of the congregation and the role of the pastor as stewardship leader.
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Fishing on the Right Side of the Boat
Presenter: Margaret Waters
Stewardship is much more than a pledge drive or a capital campaign. It is the appreciation and blessing of the myriad gifts we have been given by God. Every parish is rich with resources to be discovered and celebrated, and it is the stories we tell that build relationships among parishioners for the sake of blessing the world with the love of Christ. Weaving the Story that is our Gospel with the stories of our own quirky lives creates a fabric of encouragement and growth and results in parishes that flourish, each in their own unique way.
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Success in Stewardship
Presenter: Wayne Meisel
We experience success in our stewardship by being faithful, not necessarily by being successful. For more than 20 years as a foundation president, minister and a parent, Meisel has learned many best stewardship practices. He will also bring new ideas to share.
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