Pastors share worship and education choices

The Bible is full of stories and principles on money. But during these recessionary times, when even many churches need to tighten their belts – or are discerning whether to expand ministries – what text and material will speak to people in the pew?

Some of the 49 pastors answering Teleios’ questionnaire on church finances today share what they are using in worship and Sunday school on the topic of stewardship.

Elaine Kauffman in Mountain Lake, Minn., says recent preaching texts have been from Deuteronomy 15:7-11, II Kings 4:42-44, and John 6:1-21. Several other preachers have spent considerable time and effort in re-telling the parables of Jesus, studying chapters eight and nine of II Corinthians, and re-visiting chapters three and four of Micah.

Worship planners are finding real-life suggestions in Words for Worship 2, edited by Diane Zaerr Brenneman in a 2009 Herald Press release. Diane says pastors will find suggestions for leading worship as congregations make tough decisions, face institutional crises, and other challenges.

Pastors also listed useful resources for Sunday school classes and small groups. They have appreciated Thirty Days of Generosity, Good $ense curriculum, Financial Peace University, First Fruits Living by Lynn Miller (all available through MMA), and presentations of What’s it All About from the Brethren in Christ Church.

All the pastors are seeking one thing: God’s thoughts on these challenging times. Using Philippians 4:10-20, Tim Sandy in Corn, Okla., could have been speaking for all congregations – for his church, he developed the theme of “God’s economy and God’s plan for resources.”