Resource Library

Faithful Generosity Story Shelf

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The following stories are part of Lake Institute’s story collection, The Faithful Generosity Story Shelf, which highlights congregations and other religious organizations who have sought to use their assets and resources in creative—and sometimes surprising—ways as an expression of faithful giving.

Each entry in our Story Shelf is short enough to be read and discussed during a committee meeting or other group gathering. Our hope is that these accessible vignettes will spark new questions, conversation, and imagination among clergy and laity about what might be possible with the funds, buildings, land, and other resources in their care. If you know a story that should be included in the Story Shelf, suggest it here.

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Read stories about:

Investing for Impact


  • A Pastor’s Jericho in North Carolina

    An enterprising pastor in Wilson, North Carolina pushed his congregation to revive its nonprofit and launch a plan to improve seven properties.

  • From Discernment to Epiphany

    Atlanta’s First Presbyterian Church launched a social entrepreneurship program to recognize how God was already moving in their city and to provide business mentorship and financial assistance to aspiring social entrepreneurs.

  • Church sees its money in a new way

    A story about what happened when a church learned to see its money in a new way.

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Innovative Giving


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Selling/Donating Property


  • A Life Cycle and a Legacy

    A rural Tennessee church closes with one final, old-time singing and a donation to a Christian disaster relief agency.

  • Presbytery Transfers Property Title to Indigenous Cultural Center

    Hudson River Presbytery transferred the title of former church to the Indigenous-led Sweetwater Cultural Center as a "pledge of partnership" and in an effort to make amends for harm done to Native American populations.

  • Time for Return

    Rather than sell one of its properties for substantial profit, the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA transferred ownership to Four Winds American Indian Council in a small but meaningful act of decolonization.

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Sharing Property


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