Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Andrea Walker

Dr. Walker’s keynote invites leaders to reimagine generosity as a spiritual practice rather than a fundraising tactic. Drawing on Generosity Stewardship and Abundance by Lovett Weems and Ann Michel and Giving to God by Mark Allan Powell, she will outline a roadmap that moves from awakening God’s abundance, to teaching and practicing stewardship, to cultivating a culture of giving that leads to vitality. At its heart, generosity is worship—an act of gratitude and discipleship that strengthens mission, builds trust, and nurtures joy. Participants will leave with practical steps for leading faithfully, teaching consistently and celebrating generosity as the pathway to thriving, mission-oriented congregations.

Rev. Dr. Andrea L Walker currently serves as pastor of the historic 180-year-old congregation, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in DC. Previously, from November 2012 to January 2020 she served in the Global Mission unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as the Area Director for Madagascar, West and Central Africa. Before taking on this position, she served as pastor of St. John’s in Summit, NJ for nine years. There, she worked with the congregation through engaging stewardship education to bridge the gap of a sizable deficient.

The Rev. Dr. Andrea Walker,

Workshop Time 2, 3

This workshop will help leaders and congregations reframe financial giving and stewardship as acts of worship, gratitude and discipleship rather than obligation or institutional maintenance. Participants will explore biblical foundations, reflect on their own practices, and design ways to integrate “giving as worship” into their ministry contexts.

Deacon Kat Tigerman

Workshop Time 2, 3

Join us for a conversation about 6261 Ministry Communities – a collaborative ministry model of the NEPA Synod that consists of 6 congregations served by 2 pastors, 6 licensed lay ministers, and 1 deacon, all bundled together for common life, ministry, and mission.

At its core, collaboration is a practice in being generous and receiving generosity, both of which increase our vitality and shared purpose within God’s work in the world.

Rev. Annemarie Hartner Cook

Workshop Time 1, 3

In the work of the Faith Alive Initiative, we are striving to help congregations fully welcome children into their worship each and every time they gather. This includes teaching generosity practices and modeling authentic ways of giving.

We will explore books, curriculum, and resources that can help encourage generosity in children. We will also discuss the various ways children can participate in worship that encourages their own stewardship.

Rev. Meredith McNabb

Workshop Time 1, 2

The landscape of giving looks different than it used to, and new approaches are needed in congregations to engage with donors now and in the future. In this workshop, we’ll explore the trends and look at how we can deepen the spiritual practices of giving and strengthen our congregations’ engagement with donors today.

Rev. Peter Beeson

Workshop Time 1, 2

Practical steps and guidance on using your church owned real estate for ministry. From analyzing the current trends for why this work is necessary, to grieving what was and building for a better future, to sharing encouraging stories of what has worked elsewhere. Participants will leave with a practical hand-out on the Seven Steps for leading change, to equip them and their congregations to steward their real estate for social and community good.

Rev. Dr. Phil Krey

Workshop Time 1, 3

In this workshop persons who attend will be invited, if willing, to share the best practices in their congregation for stewardship/generosity.

Small groups will be formed around a practice that inspires them to listen, respond, and sharpen the practice will share the key elements of the practice for the whole workshop.

Pastor Krey will share his library of the best books and resources in generosity /stewardship and at the end will share his best practices.

Rev. Lexy Steinle

Workshop Time 1, 2

Some things are easier to fund than others. The local homeless shelter seems more in line for what Jesus calls us to give to than lights, floor wax, and water bills. And yet, even these “less attractive” line items help tell the story of the church’s mission in the world today. This workshop will introduce Narrative Budgets, show examples of multiple ways this tool can be used in a variety of contexts, and walk through what putting together one in your church could look like!

Rev. Dr. Quintin L. Robertson

Workshop Time 1, 3

This workshop will help us to explore and examine the psychology and theology of giving. It will take place in the format of a conversational dialogue with small interval lectures to prompt discussion. We will explore factors that motivate people to give utilizing the disciplines of psychology and theology. We will examine scripture and studies by institutions who have done research on motivating factors.

(Please note the presenter is not a psychologist, but is an ordained minister)

8:30 am: Registration

9:00 am: Welcome

9:15 am: Worship

10:00 am: Keynote

10:45 am: Q&A with Keynote

11:00 am: Break

11:15 am: Workshop 1

12:15 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm: Workshop 2

2:00 pm: Break

2:20 pm: Workshop 3

3:30 pm: Concluding Remarks and Evaluation

Our Generous Sponsors

Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA

Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA

Stewardship of Life Institute

United Lutheran Seminary

Advent Lutheran Church, West Chester

Calvary Lutheran Church, West Chester

Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Newtown

Reformation Lutheran Church, Media

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Devon

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Springfield

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale