Resource List

A variety of resources have been prepared for adults, youth, and children in support of the principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response, first introduced to the church in April 2002. And more are on the way—especially for youth and children. The following pages are provided as a single resource listing the books, tracts, videos, courses, PowerPoints, etc., available to support you in sharing the message of A Disciple’s Generous Response.

The first section, Foundational Resources, lists resources that provide a basic understanding of A Disciple’s Generous Response. These are the core Community of Christ resources. They can also be used to introduce other carefully selected materials listed in the second section, Key Resources—a list of resources many of which are from our production partners. In most cases, these production partners allow us to provide input into revisions, along with other users, resulting in a much higher quality product than would have been possible for us to develop on our own. We then simply purchase the items, having incurred essentially no research and development costs.

You are encouraged to use these resources for your own study and application as well as for teaching opportunities in your congregation and mission center. Review the list of resources carefully. Then match the resource(s) to your audience, setting, and learning focus. You may wish to present the concepts and information of A Disciple’s Generous Response on a stand-alone basis, but it is best to integrate these resources into the class as much as possible within the context of discipleship formation. Updates to this resource list will be made periodically and can be found at www.CofChrist.org/generosity/list.asp.

Each resource listing below provides a brief explanation about its use, how the resource can be acquired, and an applicable Web site that will offer even more information. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the Presiding Bishopric at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2216.

May you be blessed in your discipleship formation ministry as you share the essential principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response.

1. Becoming a Generous Disciple—Six Principles to Live By (book) available through Herald House at 1-800-767-8181, in Canada at 1-800-373-8382, or on the Web at www.HeraldHouse.org.

 
2. Tracts available through Herald House:
• A Disciple’s Generous Response
• Tithing
• World Mission Tithes
   
3. PowerPoint presentations to accompany use of the book Becoming a Generous Disciple—Six Principles to Live By and the tract, A Disciple’s Generous Response, are available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/bishop/ppt/default.asp.
   1. Book or tract (2–3 hours)
   2. Tract (45–60 minutes)
   3. Overview and Tract (10–20 minutes)
   
   
4. Sermon helps prepared by Presiding Evangelist Danny Belrose are available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/bishop/sermon.asp.
   
5. “Share Your Witness and Resources” is a 30-minute video presentation by Dave Brock and Steve Jones given at the FUSION! conference in October 2004. It can be viewed at www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/2004arch#Fusion.asp. DVDs are available though the Presiding Bishopric’s office, 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2216.
6. “Share Your Witness, Share Your Resources” is a 13-minute video containing excerpts from President Steve Veazey’s sermon and a presentation by the Council of Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Bishopric during the 2005 World Conference. Steve Jones narrates this informational piece regarding the witnessing opportunities and financial position of Community of Christ and the challenge to members and friends to increase giving by 1 percent of their income each year. It is available by contacting the Electronic Media Office at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2437.
   
7. Stewardship: An Old Path Made New is a Temple School course (TE231) available through Temple School. PowerPoint presentations to assist in teaching this course are available at http://www.CofChrist.org/bishop/ppt/TE231.ppt (Units I through III) and www.CofChrist.org/bishop/ppt/dgr3bk.ppt  (Unit IV)
   
8. Of Water and Spirit, prebaptismal book for kids and youth, includes A Disciple’s Generous Response materials. The DGR-specific pages from the book are available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/bishop/dgrkids.asp. The book is available through Herald House.
   
9. Walking with Jesus, A Member’s Guide in the Community of Christ, a book available through Herald House, includes a chapter (9) titled “Generosity—Sharing Our Resources.” This chapter is also available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/bishop/generosity.asp.
   
10. The Priesthood Manual (2004 edition), a book available through Herald House, includes a chapter (8) titled “Generosity.”
    
11. Worship Resources includes DGR principles, presented in the “Worship Planning” section and throughout the lectionary year, in the “Disciples’ Generous Response” portion of each worship service outline. Worship Resources is also available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/worship.
    
12. Offertory Supplements includes current stories, testimonies, scriptures, contribution updates, and tips for preparation. E-mailed monthly to MCFOs and posted to the Web at www.CofChrist.org/offertory. 
    
13. Power & Light integrates A Disciple’s Generous Response principles throughout the year in the adult, youth, and children Power and Light study texts. These books are available through Herald House.
    
14. The Herald regularly has articles dealing with the concepts of A Disciple’s Generous Response. These are archived at www.CofChrist.org/generosity.

Key Resources

1. Mission Tithes offering envelopes are available in adult and children’s versions for use in congregations by contacting the congregation financial officer. A generic pew offering envelope is available through Herald House.
   
2. My Tithing Plan is a personal and confidential resource to assist disciples as they prayerfully and intentionally consider their tithing response to the grace and generosity of God in light of their means and capacity. A giving guide and example offers support as the contributor plans his or her giving to Mission and Community Tithes. A country-specific version has been created for: Australia, British Isles, Canada, and the United States. Additional copies can be requested from congregational financial officers or downloaded from www.CofChrist.org/generosity/mytithingplan.
   
3. Three Simple Rules, a book for use as a basic tool in individual money ministry situations (including support for those offering Oblation assistance), can be ordered from www.ThreeRules.org. This Web site also includes information about how to access the Three Simple Rules Financial Counselor and Workshop Leader Training Manual or a hard copy of the book.
   
4. Good $ense Budget Ministry is a curriculum to teach participants the biblical principles related to finances and trains them to use basic budgeting tools. (Also available as a Temple School class—DS 150). The curriculum kit (includes all components, including videos and PowerPoint presentations) is available through special arrangement with Willow Creek Association. Contact the Presiding Bishopric’s office for kit discount information. New packages now include a teaching and video DVD. Support and information on resources are available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/goodsense/.
   
5. Estate and Financial Planning Ministries offers an estate planning workshop produced by Emerald Publications. EFPM staff members are available for ministry in congregations, mission centers, retreats, and reunions. Information is available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/estate/ or by contacting their office directly at efpm@CofChrist.org or 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2282.
   
6. Growing a Grateful, Generous Heart is a Stewardship Resource designed to help children and their parents learn to apply basic biblical principles about money to their daily life. Includes materials for leaders, teachers, parents, and children.
    
7. Resources middle school, and high school have been selected. Supportive DGR materials are now being added and will be available soon.
   
8. Money Management Resources have been reviewed by the Presiding Bishopric and their staff. These reviews are available on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/moneymgmt/default.asp and include resources for children, youth, young adults, and adults.
   
9. Financial Harmony is a money management resource for young adults provided by Emergence Young Adult Ministries. It is available at http://www.cofchrist.org/FinancialHarmony/default.asp.
    
10. Lifestyle Stories are being gathered from throughout the church. These testimonies offer personal encouragement from ordinary people who have applied the principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response in their lives. They can be found on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/generosity. Do you have a story to share? Then submit your story. Please indicate if you would like to have your name withheld from your testimony.