In many ways, a church is like a family. In most families, it is just understood who sits at the head of the table at Thanksgiving dinner, who cuts the turkey, and how the food will be passed around. As churches grow, they become less like a nuclear family and more like a family reunion. You know that you’re related to each other, but you don’t know everyone’s name or all the family rules. And, accidentally, you may sit in Uncle Harry’s seat and unintentionally create a memorable holiday experience.

A church must be intentional about developing a culture of generosity from the outset because the culture of the church is the most powerful way of effecting corporate change.

A church must be intentional about developing a culture of generosity from the outset because the culture of the church is the most powerful way of effecting corporate change. If a church isn’t clear about what it believes on the topic of giving and stewardship, then its members won’t be either. The culture of a church includes its customs and its underlying attitudes. It answers the question, How do we get things done around here? First-time visitors intuitively sense the culture, and even outsiders can describe it to others. Culture sets the tone, defines the pace, and becomes the catalyst for vision, strategy, goals, and impact.

The staff at Sun Valley Community Church near Phoenix, Arizona, understands the need to be clear about their commitment to generosity. Lead teaching pastor Chad Moore, lead pastor Scott Ridout, and the rest of the founding staff have communicated their conviction to be generous since the inception of the church. Chad describes it like this: “From the very beginning, there was an intentionality about placing stewardship, giving, and generosity at the forefront of who we are.” Chad describes it as a combination of teaching, action, and expectation. “There was no way someone could be part of Sun Valley for very long and not get generosity . . . This is not about a curriculum. It’s all about transformation of the heart.” The leaders at Sun Valley Church have sought to establish a process that encourages transformation, not just another program to help people meet a felt need. They have sought to develop a culture that invites people to change their hearts, minds, and habits—especially when it comes to generosity.

A generous Christian is grounded in a certain view of that world that enables them to give freely to others in an authentic, genuine way.

Many churches start addressing the topic of generosity with a program or a class on dealing with debt. While we would agree that debt is a huge problem that needs to be addressed, debt is merely a symptom of a much larger heart issue. A person struggling with debt needs more than a few helpful suggestions or good financial advice. They must learn what it means to be a generous Christian, a person who looks at the world through a different lens. A generous Christian is grounded in a certain view of that world that enables them to give freely to others in an authentic, genuine way. And the same is true for generous churches. Most people outside of the church likely would not consider generosity to be a defining characteristic of a faith community. Instead, they would expect rules, obligations, and expectations that define and shape the culture of a church. This is why even critics and skeptics are caught off guard when they encounter a church culture in which people freely share what they have for the advancement of the Kingdom.

— Excerpted from Contagious Generosity: Creating a Culture of Giving in Your Church by Chris Willard, Jim Sheppard

Faith & Finance Perspective:

What would be a logical next step for someone in your congregation who has just emerged from their personal indebtedness? Will they consider it “mission accomplished” and continue on with life as usual? Or is there something more your church can do to equip them to take the next step on their financial discipleship journey? Is there opportunity for them to learn what it means to be a generous Christian?

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Luke 6:38