Three established authors on the subject of congregational finances have new books to help congregations develop joyful and generous givers.
Each author has important contributions to make for congregations of diverse traditions.
Whose Offering Plate Is It? New Strategies for Financial Stewardship by J. Clif Christopher, Abingdon, 2010. Christopher found a large following for his previous book Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate(Abingdon, 2008). In his latest book he answers questions most on the minds of pastors and congregational leaders about the challenges and opportunities of funding the church’s mission. His straightforward writing growing out of real world experience makes this book immediately useful.
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Maximize: How to Develop Extravagant Givers in Your Church by Nelson
Searcy with Jennifer Dykes Henson, Baker Books, 2010. Searcy is the founding pastor of The Journey Church in New York City, a new church start where new churches are hard to start. He believes in carefully developed and implemented church systems. In this book Searcy spells out his system for giving. Every church will learn something they can implement soon.
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Stewardship for Vital Congregations by Anthony B. Robinson, Pilgrim Press, 2011. Robinson always writes insightfully based 
on both congregational experience and theological reflection. He sees successful stewardship efforts tied inextricably to the larger task of congregational vision and energy. His chapter on ten commandments for pastors captures best practices superbly. Some will find his concept of the “modern tithe” (5 percent to the church and 5 percent to other charities) appealing or horrifying!
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Christopher is United Methodist and works most with the moderate mainline. Searcy is Baptist and has a strong evangelical following. Robinson is United Church of Christ and well-known in progressive mainline circles. Each author has important contributions to make for congregations of diverse traditions.
