A workshop imagining new possibilities for stewardship in congregations. A conversation about vision, language, rhetoric, and teaching. (Though, a bit incomplete without the commentary.)

1. No More Tithing
Inspiring New Language &
Practices for Giving
Adam J. Copeland - @ajc123
Center for Stewardship Leaders
Luther Seminary
ImagebyJamesYang

2. ImageCClicense.LarahMcElroy

3. What’s my point?
Proposal: the language and approach to
“tithing” employed by many churches is at best,
misunderstood, and at worst, biblically suspect.
Either way, it’s likely ineffective. Therefore, the
church should explore new language,
motivations, and practices to encourage
financial gifts.

4. Adam

5. Mini History of American Stewardship
• William Avery, Stewardship of Life Institute,
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, PA
• Founding to approx. 1830s  rent/sell pews,
subscription list, raffles, suppers & socials,
“haphazard”

6. Mini History of American Stewardship
• 1919 new “duplex” envelope system!
• One to receive “the dues for church membership”
• Another in a different color for “other Christian
purposes”
• The word “stewardship” proliferated between
1900-1920

7. Mini History of American Stewardship
• b/w WWI & WWII stewardship declined
• Renewed emphasis post WWII 
tithe/stewardship as response to God’s grace
• While popular, it failed to become internalized
for the vast majority of churchgoers

8. Mini History of American Stewardship
• 1980s onward  moving from stewardship
focused on institutional church to justice,
peace, environment
• Today, stewardship awfully confused…
– not meaningful concept for most members
– strongly connected to finances
– Many critical topics avoided

9. CCImagebySt.Luke’sEpiscopalChurch

11. Tithing
How have you
experienced the
word tithing at
some point in
your past?
How is the word
or concept of
tithing present in
your ministry
today?

15. “Tithing has been tested thousands of times in
the laboratory of human experience. What is the
verdict? With very few exceptions, people who
have tried tithing heartily recommend it to
others, and they, themselves, have no desire to
give it up…To the tither, it simply becomes a
natural thing to do.”
–Luther Powell (qtb Mark Allan Powell)

16. Powell: Giving to God
• In the Bible, tithes given away and different
from support of local synagogue
• Trouble of analogies between times
• Ultimately, though, we life in a time of
incredible affluence

17. Powell: Giving to God
“Would I like to be the sort of person who is
spiritually and financially able to give 10% of my
income to the church?”
If the answer is “yes” then there’s a good chance
tithing is for you.

19. Lansdell
“All must allow that tithe-paying was enjoined
upon the Jews, by God, in the law; and we all
content that Jesus Christ, as a Jew, kept that law
to the letter; therefore the inference seems
inevitable (and we have found not a tittle of
evidence to the contrary) that the Lord Jesus
Himself paid tithes.” p. 125

20. Lansdell
“Right giving is a part of right living.
The living is not right when the giving is wrong.
The giving is wrong when we steal
God’s portion to spend on ourselves.” p. 148

22. Benefits of Tithing
• Clear and
straightforward
• References scripture
• Avoids awkwardness
about “how much”
• Tithers love it
• Consistent reminder of
God the giver
• Transforms lives
• Connection with other
Christians
• 80/20 rule

23. Where are
we now?
ImagebyVincentvanderPas

24. Giving by Denomination (Source: Passing the Plate)

25. Source: Lake
Institute on
Faith & Giving

26. 80 / 20 rule
In most congregations, around 80%
of the financial giving comes from
20% of the members.

27. Every church has a financial stewardship
culture. The question becomes how that
culture is developed and sustained.
-
How would you describe your
congregation’s financial stewardship
culture?

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29. Deut. 14:25-26
“With the money secure in hand, go to the place
that the LORD your God will choose; spend the
money for whatever you wish—oxen, sheep,
wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And
you shall eat there in the presence of
the LORD your God, you and your household
rejoicing together.”

30. CCImagebyFreaktography

31. “As a requirement for
faithful living, tithing
does not meet high
standards of biblical
interpretation.” (55)

32. Iona Community
Accountability
Our Rule binds us to mutual accountability. We
aim to be fully transparent and accountable for
our use of money and time, and to operate with
ethical codes of conduct.

33. Where might
we be going?
ImagebyVincentvanderPas

34. Older Paradigm
• Giving out of religious
obligation or moral
duty
• Giving is contribution
or donation
• Institutions are
autonomous
• Americans have a
tendency not to discuss
giving habits (Wuthnow)
• Giving out of personal
choice (result of
cultivation)
• Giving is creating change,
powering a vision
• Donors are collaborative
partners
• Sharing giving decisions
with others encouraged
Emerging Paradigm
Slide with credit and gratitude to the Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving; modifications made

35. Older Paradigm
• Institutions are to be
trusted
• Theology of duty
• Budgets need-driven
• Financial focus in
insular
• Different from business
Emerging Paradigm
• Institution trust must be
earned
• Theology of grace
• Giving is mission and
values-driven
• Financial focus is
outward/global
• Influenced by and/or
embraces business
principles
Slide with credit and gratitude to the Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving; modifications made

36. What if?
• Churches addressed money year-round, and
when we aren’t asking for it?
• New “tithe” = 5% to church + 5% to charity?
• Spoke about financial giving holistically?
• Electronic giving became normative?
• Took the offering out of worship?

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39. CSL Weekly Newsletter
Luthersem.edu/stewardship

40. ‘With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? -Micah 6:6-8

41. Stewardship is not therefore the gaining of
influence, power, property . . . but rather the care
and nurture of life, the healing of the one who fell
amongst thieves, the feeding of the hungry and
freeing of the oppressed, the befriending of the
friendless, the equitable distribution of earth’s
bounty, the passion for justice and peace, and
dialogue with all who hunger and thirst for
authenticity.
-Douglas John Hall

42. Thanks!
Adam J. Copeland
luthersem.edu/stewardship
acopeland001@luthersem.edu
adamjcopeland.com|@ajc123
ImagebyJamesYang