
Leadership and Extravagant Giving
As I visit congregations to encourage growth in financial giving, I often encounter two responses. The first is, “Don’t forget the importance of gifts of time and talent.” And the second: “But this congregation is already giving as much as it can.” My heart sinks when these evasions of the challenge to grow are put forth by the pastor. I know then that it is unlikely that the congregation will ever be able to break free from the seductive myth of scarcity. It takes a strong spiritual leader to guide people out of resistance and reluctance into the delicious freedom of God’s abundance. The truest mark of a mature faith leader and community is a life of extravagant giving. There are many reasons why it is difficult for pastors to…