10/24/2018

The transformative power of giving thanks

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The transformative power of giving thanks
“Grateful” by Diana Butler Bass

In her recent book, “Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks,” Diana Butler Bass explores the topic of gratitude in a comprehensive and insightful way. She looks at distinctions between personal and public gratitude, how gratitude makes us feel emotionally versus what it inspires us to do in our ethics, and the challenge of being grateful even when our personal stories are not all upbeat and rosy.  Bass contrasts gratitude that is driven by a sense of compulsion and duty (reciprocity to discharge a debt) against gratitude for life’s many tailwinds, grace, gifts that are freely given and impossible to repay. It turns out that the transactional model of gratitude was integral to hierarchical patronage systems of ancient Egypt and Rome, where people were expected to return taxes to Pharaoh and Caesar or be ingrates deserving punishment. Who would have thought that something as honorable as gratitude could have a history of control and domination?  As far as transformation is concerned, Bass writes:

“Gratitude, at its deepest and perhaps most transformative level, is not warm feelings about what we have. Instead, gratitude is the deep ability to embrace the gift of who we are, that we are, that in the multibillion-year history of the universe each one of us has been born, can love, grows in awareness, and has a story. Life is the gift. When that mystery fills our hearts, it overwhelms us and a deep river of emotions flows forth — feelings we barely knew we were capable of holding.”

The book “Grateful” is an excellent resource for personal contemplation or group discussions. Watch Bass in a recent presentation on gratitude that parallels her book, part I and part II. Use this small group discussion guide as a source of questions for conversation. 

Resources, events and more

For interesting new research on vital congregations that includes not just the ELCA but also ecumenical and interfaith data, read the new Congregational Vitality report funded by Faith Communities Today and researched by the ELCA's Linda Bobbitt. Wondering where the church might be headed? The Lutheran Campus Ministry Network has recently published a summary of major findings from its research on young adult ministry on college campuses today. Both of these brief reports are worth reading and contemplating. 
 
The Generosity Project connects generations and equips households as centers for the faith practice of generosity. Resources include an outline for an introductory workshop, five sessions plus worship with a detailed Planning Guide, Live It Out take-home activities, Foundation and Fundamentals that offer an overview of the project, and an extensive curated Resource List. Follow the ELCA Generosity Project Network through its Facebook group here.
 
ELCA Coaching exists to serve our church and its purpose is to create a coaching culture in the ELCA that will empower and multiply leaders at every expression. Join the Facebook group here, or watch one of these videos (video one, video two) to learn more.
 
The new issue of Stories of Faith in Action, inspiring stories of how our church makes a difference together, is now available. Click here for an electronic copy and related resources. 
 
Rethinking Stewardship is a conference held every few years at Luther Seminary to consider new thoughts, ideas and practices around stewardship. Videos of the 2018 presentations are now online, along with talks from previous years. Check out Dr. Martha Moore-Keish's 20-minute presentation, “What are We 'Offering' at the Offering?” here, or read her related article here.
 
Interested in knowing more about Tithe.ly, the ELCA's preferred vendor for online giving? Read about the agreement here, or watch this online stewardCast webinar.
 
Virginia Theological Seminary has a section of its website dedicated to stewardship with articles on foundational issues, fresh thinking, and teaching kids. You can visit those webpages here.