Grateful Caretakers of God’s Many Gifts provides a theological and biblical basis for stewardship and gives detailed guidance for sharing time, talent, and treasure. It also offers the history, foundational principles, and implementation steps for sacrificial giving, a form of stewardship. The manual likewise provides a wealth of material for sustaining and strengthening grateful caretaking in a parish on a long-term basis. It offers practical suggestions on a number of special issues in stewardship including accountability, annual renewals, customized direct deposit of Sunday offerings, planned giving and parish stewardship councils, and training our youth to share.
Champlin shows that the sacrificial giving process effectively supports grateful caretakers of God’s gifts: people in the parish willing to share significantly their time, talent, and treasure for the Church and the world. It has been proven in practice, is biblically and theologically sound, actively involves lay persons, touches the hearts of parishioners, is uncomplicated and inexpensive to implement, produces impressive short-term results, and provides long-term possibilities.
Grateful Caretakers of God’s Many Gifts builds on Father Champlin’s original sacrificial giving publications in both the theory and practice of how to motivate parishioners to become active stewards of their faith. It has on-going value for those concerned about fostering grateful caretaking in a parish.
Chapters include:
Includes the following sample documents: Annual Parish Financial Report, Sample Envelope, Sample of Sacrificial Giving Report, and Bills Paid Section Bulletin.
Joseph M. Champlin is rector at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Syracuse, New York. He is the author of the Sacrificial Giving Program series published by The Liturgical Press.
"Readers will marvel at this compelling account of what happens when gratitude to God becomes the guiding motif of parish life. Grateful Caretakers is a clear and practical guide on parish stewardship written with experienced pastoral insight into how church communities can live the Gospel of generous service more fully. This book is required reading for pastors and parishioners alike."
| - | Francis J. Butler, FADICA |
"This book is very practical, including both clear principles and nitty-gritty details. If the pastor believes in this, teaches it well and repeats it periodically, then people will become grateful caregivers of God’s blessings, and share them with others."
| - | Msgr. William Belford, Blauvelt, NY |
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