The Generosity Project

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 Generosity Project examines the challenge of stewardship in the 21st century and looks at learning how to re-frame the conversation. It looks at how we can create experiments to nurture generosity in ourselves, our families, and our congregations. With questions, please contact Rev. Stacy Emerson, ABCUSA Stewardship Consultant: 800-ABC-3USA x2010, or stacy.emerson@abc-usa.org.

View a Generosity Project Information Sheet

Blog Posts

Stewardship Book Reviews

Ask, Thank, Tell by Charles Lane, reviewed by Margaret Marcuson: The goal of this book, is to perform a dramatic rescue of stewardship, freeing it from any connection whatsoever to “paying the bills.” Stewardship is an intensely spiritual matter that lies close to a disciple’s relationship with Jesus.

The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist, reviewed by Margaret Marcuson: This book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money—earning it, spending it, and giving it away—offers surprising insight into our lives. Lynne Twist asks us to discover our relationship with money, understand how we use it, and by assessing our core human values, align our relationship with it to our desired goals.

Your Money Or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, reviewed by Margaret Marcuson: Vicki Robin shows readers how to gain control of their money and finally begin to make a life, rather than just make a living.

Walk with Generosity: A Devotional Journal by Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil, Associate Executive Minister for Mission & Stewardship, The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts: This is a 40 day devotional journal for nurturing generosity. Intended for any time of the year rather than a particular liturgical season, Rev. Dorsainvil invites readers to reflect on scripture, to find ways to put their faith into action, and “to ponder, reflect, and sit with God for forty days.” She writes, “Each day offers you an opportunity to be a better disciple, a better servant and a better giver of Truth, Hope and Love.”

Celebrating the Offering by Melvin Amerson and James Amerson: Giving is an act of worship. But so often it is an awkward or minor part of our worship experience. Brothers and colleagues in ministry, Melvin and James Amerson walk us through the biblical foundations for worship through our giving and provide practical resources for deepening the spiritual practice of giving.

At the Crossroads: Leadership Lessons for the Second Half of Life by Clayton Smith & Dave Wilson: The life of stewardship is also the stewardship of life. As we consider entering into or living in retirement, how do we claim God’s purpose for our lives in our service, in our giving, and in our legacy? At the Crossroads is a six-week Bible-based study offering comprehensive, practical help for Christians who are approaching, entering, or already in retirement.

Stewardship Webinars

A number of stewardship-related webinars have been produced by ABCUSA’s office of Mission Resource Development to date.

The Generosity Project Presents: A Live Zoom Event with Tod Bolsinger

Beyond the Offering Plate: Stewarding Life and End of Life
Presented by Rev. Dr. Campbell B. Singleton, III

Embracing Stewardship: Looking Through the Lens of Love
Presented by Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter

Financial Stewardship in Times Like These: What You Can Do
Presented by Rev. Margaret Marcuson

Stewardship of Space: Thinking Beyond the Sanctuary
Presented by Rev. Stacy Emerson and Rev. Julie Flowers

Financial Stewardship in an Era of Covid 19: What You Can Do
Presented by Rev. Margaret Marcuson

The Generosity Project: “We Are Better Together: Cooperative Stewardship”
Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development, ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary, with:
Rev. Laura Ayala, First Baptist Church of Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Rev. Jesús García, Iglesia Bautista de Metropolis, Carolina , Puerto Rico
Rev. Dr. Eugene Downing, New Hope Baptist Church, Denver, CO
Rev. Anne Scalfaro, Calvary Baptist Church, Denver, CO

The Generosity Project: Strengthening Stewardship in Times of Struggle
Presented by Rev. Trevor A. Hyde, Jr.

The Generosity Project: Stewardship and Pandemic
The resources shared during the webinar can be found here.
Presented by Rev. Stacy Emerson

Tech Forum on Stewardship – offered by ABC of New York State
The presentation shared during the webinar can be found here.
Presented by Rev. Stacy Emerson

Living Out God’s Love: 4 TED Talks on Stewardship
The presentation shared during the webinar can be found here.
Presented by Grace Pomroy

The Generosity Project: Money and Your Ministry
The presentation shared during the webinar can be found here.
Presented by Margaret Marcuson

Preaching about Giving with Gumption & Grace
Please view this short video here before watching the recording of the webinar, below. (During the recorded webinar a video is shown without audio. )
The presentation shared during the webinar can be found here.
Presented by Rev. Anne Jernberg Scalfaro

The Generosity Project: Yeast, Salt, and Light: A Recipe for a Moving, Meaningful, and Mission-Focused Stewardship Ministry
Presented by Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center

Stewardship For All Generations
The presentation shared during the webinar can be found here.
Presented by Grace Duddy Pomroy

Preaching about Stewardship
Presented by Rev. Dr. Christine Roush, Director of Discipleship for the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)

The Generosity Project – Money and Your Ministry
Presented by Rev. Margaret Marcuson
Rev. Margaret Marcuson helps ministers do their work without wearing out or burning out, through ministry coaching, presentations and online resources. Find her at margaretmarcuson.com.

The Generosity Project – Can We Talk? About Money? In Church?
Presented by Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center

Generosity Project – The Personal is Communal; the Individual is Corporate
Presented by Lisa Harris-Lee, Director of Mission Engagement and National Network Initiatives for the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)

Stewardship & Generosity Trends
Presented by Marcia Shetler, Executive Director and CEO of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center
View full resources from this Webinar here.

UNCOMMON CENTS: A Christian Approach to Modern Stewardship & Giving
Presented by Reverend Bill Keane, Senior Minister of the First Baptist Church of Branford, CT

How to Lead in Stewardship – Raise More Money with Less Stress
Presented by Rev. Margaret Marcuson

These webinars were produced by the office of Mission Resource Development, American Baptist Churches USA. This ministry is made possible because of your generous support of United Mission.