The Passionate Steward: Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising (Paperback)

~ Michael O'Hurley-Pitts (Author) "The Passionate Steward: Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising is not a "how to" manual; it is not an exegesis of pertinent scriptural passages; nor..." (more)
Key Phrases: secular fundraisers, secular fundraising, passionate steward, United States, Independent Sector, North America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

As a Stewardship Officer working to reclaim Christian Stewardship from the secular world I am delighted with The Passionate Steward. -- The Rev. Shirley Stockdill - Diocesan Stewardship Officer, Diocese of New Westminster

As a Stewardship Officer working to reclaim Christian Stewardship from the secular world, I am delighted with The Passionate Steward. -- The Reverend Shirley Stockdill - The Diocese of New Westminster

O'Hurley-Pitts give a refreshing look at stewardship as true ministry, he has captured its essence in his masterpiece. -- Chris Andreas - Stewardship Administrator, The Greek Orthodox Church

O'Hurley-Pitts gives a refreshing look at stewardship as true ministry. He has captured its essence in his masterpiece. -- Chris Andreas - Stewardship Administrator, The Greek Orthodox Church

The Passionate Steward illustrates that stewardship is much more than a donor's economic exchange or the management of their wealth. -- Tom Cullinan, Esq. - NPGI, The College of William & Mary

The Passionate Steward is both intelligent and readable, and will be especially appreciated by those working in the Church. -- The Rev. Roger Yaworski, S.J. - Jesuit Development Office - Toronto

Product Description

The Passionate Steward: Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising is a forthright and critical review of the assumptions and practices of secular philanthropy as these have been adopted and applied by the Christian Church. The Church has often been enthralled by the promise of more money, particularly if it is "easy" money, and has thus fallen into the arms of secular fundraisers, without subjecting secular methods and operative principles to the scrutiny of its own theological and biblical agenda. Archbishop Edward W. Scott’s foreword uses his experience and wisdom as parish priest, bishop and later Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada to make clear just how important and ground breaking this book is for the Church today.

The Passionate Steward parses the practice of fundraising as it is frequently experienced in Churches, and finds it wanting. The author re-establishes a firm biblical and historical basis for a more theologically grounded approach, and argues convincingly for a recovery of the fullness of "passionate stewardship". The book is thoroughly researched, and moves easily and cogently between statistical analysis, theological assessment, practice, and anecdotal integration.

The Passionate Steward (as can be seen from the multi-denominational praise of Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican/Episcopalians to Protestants and Evangelical experts in the field of stewardship) stands alone in its ecumenical reach and appeal. Not only does it treat the uniqueness and similarities within the range of mainline Churches: it also provides a much needed indication of how those issues are played out in both the United States and Canada. Moreover, in these trying times of sin threatening the well being of the Church (the scandal of sexual abuse in the U.S., and Residential Schools litigation bankrupting the major Christian denominations in Canada), The Passionate Steward is both timely and timeless in its relevance.

O’Hurley-Pitts, Michael The Passionate Steward: Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising (1st Edition)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: St. Brigid Press (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0973137800
• ISBN-13: 978-0973137804
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #828,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Please don't just stop there., October 23, 2002

By	Richard Wong (Richmond, VA United States) - See all my reviews

O'Hurley-Pitts did a wonderful job in his book "The Passionate Steward". Our church has taken this path for the past five years in focusing on the spiritual meaning of stewardship instead on the budget. As a result, each year our pledges increased by double digits. Two years ago, we hired a volunteer ministry director and mission coordinator to formalize our volunteer efforts. We still have a long way to go as a main-line church to bring God closer to our everyday life. But we are getting there!

I'd encourage Michael not to stop there and help us dig deeper into the spirituality of stewardship.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely Book for Parishes of All Sizes, October 16, 2002

By	"kathrynlively" (VA) - See all my reviews

In the Passionate Steward, Michael O'Hurley-Pitts delivers a succinct guide to parish stewardship, applicable to Catholic and Protestant denominations, which brings to focus to where it should have been all along - giving as a vocation and not a transaction. Giving of time and money to one's church, the author argues, should not have to be provoked by offers of trinkets and goodies. This book offers definitions of stewardship and suggestions for parishes on how to improve giving without having to resort to means which stray from the Gospel message.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A More Excellent Way, March 29, 2003

By	Jan Danvers (Practical Theology and Ministry Book Reviews) - See all my reviews

There are few books which can make a well-read, highly educated and experienced Church leader stop and reconsider so much of what they have accepted and embraced in the past. This is one of those iconic and timeless books.

O'Hurley-Pitts writes in uniquely clear, compelling and persuasive manner. The Passionate Steward is suitable for individual reading; a parish training and education manual; professional guide; and academic text all at the same time and equally well. Written from years of experience and academic training, this book cuts through years of accepted practices driven by errant conventional wisdom and re-grounds stewardship in the reality of parish life, sound theological precepts and biblical tradition with a view towards the theology and spirituality of stewardship.

The Passionate Steward brakes the mold of books that are mere step-by-step "stewardship" guides and truly parses the issues that create impediments for both parish leaders and the faithful in embracing true Christian stewardship. Concise writing, easy to understand graphs and charts, historic comparisons and helpful critiques allow the reader to get to the heart of the issues. Significant reasearch, good footnoting and a brilliant index makes the book highly accessible.

Although a Roman Catholic, O'Hurley-Pitts' book has been selected by the Episcopal Book Club as one of their four 2003 selections. Promotional cover quotes from Evangelicals to Greek Orthodox religious leaders alike demonstrates that The Passionate Steward crosses all barriers and focuses on the essential truths of Christian stewardship.

The Passionate Steward is an essential tool for everyone in the practice of ministry, parish and diocesan leadership at a very inviting price.