Most of the contemporary resources that deal with congregational finances focus on fundraising techniques. But the mechanisms, like capital campaigns, are like icing on a cake and do not offer a long-term plan for sustainability. This seminar demonstrates how to “bake the cake” of congregational generosity by exploring the significant and necessary steps to creating lasting cultural change within a congregation and synthesizing research from the Center on Philanthropy and the practical experience of working with religious organizations from the Lake Institute. Through presentation, small group and individual exercises, and a high degree of interaction, participants imagine and design their own plan for creating cultures of generosity in their congregations.

People who take this seminar will:

• understand the landscape of religious giving based on the latest research;
• appreciate the theological significance of generosity;
• identify their own theological/religious tradition of generosity;
• understand the relationship between organizational accountability and generosity;
• understand and process the idea that congregational finances are an arena for pastoral care;
• analyze their current congregational culture;
• design a working plan to implement cultural change to move towards greater generosity;
• interact with fellow participants in a dynamic process of shared inquiry.

This program is ideal for: leadership of religious congregations and organizations—clergy, lay people, administrators, stewardship committees, and fundraisers who are directly involved in congregational-wide decisions.

To inquire about contracting this seminar, .