The Lake Institute on Faith & Giving exists to serve the public good by exploring the multiple connections between philanthropy and faith within the major religious traditions.
Resources
Speaking of embracing change, technology, and the next generation, the Lake Institute has joined Twitter!
For tidbits on the latest research, articles, events and advice for individuals and congregations, follow us at www.twitter.com/LakeInstitute
Seminar: Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity. In this two-day seminar you will learn:
How to talk about money with theological integrity
How to create an organizational climate of fiscal transparency and accountability
How to extend the practice of pastoral care to care for donors
How to become a generous share-the-vision type of organization
Course: Faith & Fundraising. This four-day course is a joint offering of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and The Fund Raising School of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
In this work produced by the Institute and edited by David H.
Smith, contributors consider
the connection between religion and giving within the Abrahamic
tradition.
Contact Us:
Bill Enright, Director
Rich Klopp, Associate Director
Natalie Ingle, Program Manager
Ashley Miller, Administrative Assistant
Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
550 West North Street
Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3272 Phone: 317.278.8955 lfi@iupui.edu
Generation Next
At a recent workshop for a group of mainline Protestants, a participant remarked that one had only to look around the room at the "color of everyone's hair" to see where their denomination was headed. Beyond the economic recession and the crash of 401k's, another crisis is looming for the majority of U.S. religious denominations.
While the last decade has seen a boom in contemporary worship alternatives or the creation of brand new religious groups, the fact remains that fewer young Americans identify as religious. A study by Pew places over 25% of Millennials in the category "unaffiliated." That's greater than Gen X (20%), Boomers (13%), and older generations (3-8%).
GOOD's light-hearted depiction of religious affiliation shows several major traditions are experiencing increasing membership, but most still represent declining percentages of the American population.
Eboo Patel (IFYC) w/ youth at our 2008 Lake Distinguished Visitor Program
So how do religious congregations reach out to the next generation? In our Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity seminar, we coach participants: learn who you're dealing with.
According to Pew, Millennials/Generation Y (approx. 20-35 yrs old) display the following characteristics:
Receptive to change
Upbeat / Optimistic
Liberal
Well-educated
Technologically savvy
Prioritize social justice
Some argue the ubiquity of social networking and iPhones leaves this generation with tiny attention spans, and it's true that it takes more to get them engaged. A recent study explains why: Millennials are most likely to respond to "an opportunity to connect with leadership and have a voice in an organization's direction
." Nurturing positive relationships with the youth in your organization may be an investment well worth the time and effort; while many may not be donating currently due to fledgling careers, they are tomorrow's generous givers. And, they have big aspirations:
One thing's for certain: the next generation of leaders has a worldview shaped by realities unlike any humanity has seen. It's vital that religious organizations recognize this difference and respond.
When our wealthiest citizens live in gated neighborhoods far removed from our communities' neediest members, how should they respond to the command to look after their neighbors? If they are immigrants and the poorest people they know live in another country, to whom should their money go?
In March, Dr. Ingrid Mattson (Director and Professor at the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, President of the Islamic Society of North America) spoke on these topics as the Lake Institute's 7th annual Thomas H. Lake Lecturer in an address entitled Zakat in America: The Evolving Role of Islamic Charity in Community Cohesion.
Click here
to watch her address, read a synopsis of the event, and view photos.
"Eye-opening, challenging, and some of the best continuing education I've had in 25 years of ministry."
John R. Woodall
Sr. Pastor, Westwood United Methodist Church
Los Angeles, California
Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity
a seminar offered by the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving For more information, visit our website
Speaking of embracing change, technology, and the next generation, the Lake Institute has joined 
