A book of stewardship-themed dramas, great for creative church services, has been launched by the General Conference (GC) Stewardship Department on July 11 at the GC Session in St Louis, Missouri, United States.
Authored by semiretired Australian business consultant Dr Ken Long, Generous Acts contains brief parable-like scripts ready to use at a local church.
“Generous Acts is a book of stewardship dramas in which stories come alive, faith is ignited, and the message of stewardship unfolds in unforgettable ways,” said Dr Long. “As Jesus used different ways to connect with His audience, so we can use drama to engage our congregations and inspire them to think about stewardship and generosity.”
The book dedication took place in the exhibition hall, on the Journey Stage, and was attended by Marcos Faiock Bomfim, GC Stewardship Ministries director; Aniel Barbe, GC Stewardship Ministries associate director; and Busi Khumalo, GC Youth Ministries director, as well as a number of division Stewardship directors.
“Some people may ask, ‘Why have stewardship books?’ The reason is not that you want to have more money in the church,” said Pastor Bomfim. “First, stewardship leads people to connect their lives to God and to offer themselves to serve God. And we return tithes and offerings because Jesus, in Matthew 6:21, says, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ It strengthens our connection with God.”
The book is a resource that has potential for ministry by and for young people.
“Generous Acts is a resource that speaks to the felt needs of the youth. We believe that it will enhance the collaboration that already exists between the Youth and Stewardship departments,” writes Pastor Khumalo in the book’s foreword.
The book is the latest collaboration between Dr Long and the Stewardship Ministries Department, following The Model Steward Canvas and The Model Steward Canvas Workbook. Dr Long also authored The Giving Equation and has a passion for delivering the message of stewardship differently.
“Stewardship and giving have always been central to my life. It feels as though God has called me to be a stewardship evangelist—someone who shares the incredible benefits that come when we recognise His ownership and respond accordingly,” writes Dr Long in the book’s preface. “While a sermon provides valuable insights, a dramatic performance creates an immersive experience that captivates the audience.”
Dr Long describes himself as a stewardship champion and said he has been passionate about stewardship all his life.
“[I’ve been] frustrated by the general failure of churches, ministry and laity, to comprehend the God-given benefits of giving and the focus, almost exclusively, on giving from the church organization’s perspective. This stewardship approach ignores the compelling, giver-oriented way in which Jesus presented stewardship.
Dr Long’s other book, The Model Steward Canvas, has been designed to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in developing a business model with a kingdom purpose. The GC is currently translating the resource into Portuguese and Spanish.
For a copy of Generous Acts, follow this link.
