The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations. The Generosity Project aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Bi-monthly blogs help support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship. The reflection below was provided by Rev. Stacy Emerson.

“Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else, is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.”

              ~Tara Brach

Generosity is essentially a spirit.  An attitude.  A way of being.  It is a way of understanding the world and our part in it as God’s partners in God’s sacred work of redeeming, healing, sustaining, and nurturing creation.  There is so much that captivates our attention, but at its heart, discipleship is generosity and the relentless pursuit of loving the world.

So consider the wonder and ways of generosity and reflect on the truth that generosity starts with our spirit, our attitudes, our ways of perceiving the world.  What aspect of generosity needs to grow in and through you?  Forgiveness?  Making time for someone who needs help?  Hospitality and listening?  Being a voice for the voiceless?  Giving more of your resources?

There is so much we need to understand about generosity that goes beyond finances and budgets, stewardship campaigns and balance sheets.  Generosity doesn’t start in any of those places—it goes much deeper than that.  Generosity is essentially a spirit.  An attitude.  A way of being.  And generosity starts within.

Rev. Stacy Emerson is the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in West Hartford, CT and the Stewardship Consultant for ABCUSA.  She is also the Coordinator for The Generosity Project which is about helping congregations deepen their understanding of stewardship as a call to generosity as disciples of Jesus; re-framing the stewardship conversation; and cultivating generosity in pastors, lay people, and congregations.