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"The Passionate Steward is an insightful, well-researched resource for anyone interested in the theological and spiritual principles of stewardship in general and as it should inform the Church's fund-raising activities. O'Hurley-Pitts demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the topic and challenges the reader to reshape and revise current understandings as practices. He gets to the heart of what stewardship is truly about as he presents a holistic vision of Christian stewardship. I give this book to stewardship leaders in our Diocese and recommend it to anyone who is serious about discipleship and the life and mission of the Church." -
Robert
Cammarata, Director
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Office of Stewardship
"Michael O'Hurley-Pitts identifies why we in the Catholic Church are called to a "Lifestyle of Stewardship", it is part of our baptismal call-our vocation. Secular fundraising is not the answer and Michael explains why. This is a excellent book, a must read for all people who are involved in developing Stewardship in their churches and diocese. Michael captures the spirit of the U.S. Bishop's Pastoral Letter - "Stewardship: A Disciple's Response." - John MacRae, Stewardship DirectorArchdiocese of Halifax , Nova Scotia
"Michael
O'Hurley-Pitts, the author of The Passionate Steward: Recovering
Christian Stewardship from Secular Fund Raising, raises some basic
questions which it would be prudent for the Church to address as it
faces the necessity for money to enable it to carry out its Mission
in the world… I would strongly urge any person or group concerned
about the growth, renewal, and transformation of the Church to read
and discuss with others The Passionate Steward. The insights
gained by doing so would make it clear that this was a wise use of the
time involved."
"People working in the context of the church to raise money, will find this a helpful book. Michael O'Hurley-Pitts draws on his extensive experience as a fundraiser with faith-based groups. His book is both intelligent and readable, and will be especially appreciated by those working in the Church to raise funds." -
The Reverend Roger Yaworski,
S.J., Director "This is an important work, relevant for those who live and work in the church community. The Passionate Steward illustrates that stewardship is much more than a donor's economic exchange or the management of their wealth. Stewardship has the qualities of faith and prayer." -
Tom Cullinan, Esquire,
Director "I
particularly liked Michael’s consistent emphasis on stewardship
as a dynamic expression of our Christian life. The Passionate Steward’s
presentation of stewardship in terms of the journey of faith and of
the faithful, and as a outward activity of inward grace and faith is
compelling. Through its pages, readers can reaffirm and reclaim a clear
understanding of stewardship as that anchor out of which we live our
lives as people of faith." "The Passionate Steward by Michael O’Hurley-Pitts gives a refreshing look at stewardship as true ministry. Not just another fund-raising manual for the church; rather, stewardship is understood as a personal commitment to Christ, actually living the Gospel and Liturgical life. Stewardship must be understood as a complete identity for the Christian. The whole Church of Jesus Christ is called to be a steward of God’s mission on earth. As the Church engages in God’s mission, we become identified, both Christian and Church, as true stewards. Our participation in mission grows out of true stewardship. God calls us to the work of missions because we are stewards. Once this understanding takes hold, funding our missions will no longer be a concern nor a problem, and there will be no further need for secularized gimmicks, something totally antithetical to the teachings of Christ. Michael O’Hurley-Pitts has captured the essence of this in his masterpiece." -
Chris Andreas,
Stewardship Administrator, "The
Passionate Steward offers a profound and thought-provoking message
that is not to be ignored by either the clergy or the congregation." "Michael
O’Hurley-Pitts... in an articulate and assionate manner, calls
the church to be true to its own message. He argues convincingly that
Christian stewardship has little to do with funding budgets, naming
opportunities, duty, or who gives the most. It is rather about the use
of our time, talent and treasure individually and corporately, to engage
in prayer, worship, mercy, kindness and acts of charity. Stewardship
has to do with our generous response in praise and honour of our generous
Creator God." "As a full time Stewardship Officer working to reclaim Christian Stewardship from the secular world I am delighted to have The Passionate Steward available for my library. I have seen Michael O'Hurley-Pitts in action and know that his credentials are supported by a strong Christian faith and solid success as a fundraiser and promoter of holistic stewardship." -
The Reverend Shirley Stockdill, Stewardship
Development Officer "In The Passionate Steward, Michael O'Hurley Pitts offers an invitation for the reader to enter into a healthy critique of commonly accepted assumptions and practices in stewardship ministry. In contrasting secular fund-raising and Christian stewardship, this work provides a meaningful bridge between theological reflection and the faithful practice. It is a valuable contribution to the ongoing ecumenical dialogue on stewardship." -
The Reverend Dr. Ed Taylor, Executive
Director "O'Hurley-Pitts opens new windows on what it means to consider the church as family. The need for true eccleisal stewardship has never been more crucial--and The Passionate Steward asks the tough questions about who we are and why we give. A must-read for ministry today." -
Madonna Ratliff, FSP "Michael O’Hurley Pitts has written an encouraging book, which promotes the concept of holistic, enduring, theologically sound stewardship. It is a work that is sensitive to both ecumenical issues and the need for Christians to recapture our understanding of stewardship as living out our baptismal vocation to lives of thankfulness and generosity." -
The Topic "Typically books that focus on Christian financial stewardship start with a window dressing of Biblical thought and then move quickly to the real essence - methods of getting more money from the people for their cause. Though this book is written against the backdrop of declining funds flowing into the treasuries of mainline churches, true to the title, the author focuses on the steward as a person, not merely on the churches’ need for more money.... The sub-title to the book, Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising, encapsulates the core thesis of the book. Drawing on his vast experience as a stewardship consultant both in the U.S. and Canada, his passion for the church, and his solid knowledge of Scripture, he urges the church to return to its Biblical roots. Instead of blaming secular fundraisers for getting it wrong, he challenges the church to assume the ongoing responsibility of doing it right." (Evangelical Mennonite Conference Newspaper)
O’Hurley-Pitts, Michael National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication O'Hurley-Pitts, Michael, 1965- Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Stewardship, Christian. 2. Church fund
raising. I. Tucker, M. Ansley BV772.O56 2002 254'.8 C2002-903617-8 Publisher: St. Brigid Press - Toronto, Ontario Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
St. Brigid Press
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