By Patrick H. McNamara

Is stewardship past its prime as a motivating vision for ministry? In this book, one of the Alban Institute's Money, Faith and Lifestyle Series, author and social scientist Patrick H. McNamara tells real-life stores of 11 mainline congregations where stewardship is the animating force that has transformed them into vital centers for mission.

How did these congregations change the paradigm of stewardship from a "necessary evil" to a revitalizing force? How did they take a concept imbued with negative connotations of "fundraising" and transform it into an opportunity for creating disciples who demonstrate their faith – year-round – in all its manifold expressions of stewardship? And how, indeed, does raising a budget fit into this synergistic approach?

Church leaders who question whether stewardship education is worthwhile will be encouraged and inspired by these accounts.

Reviewed by Patti Simmons, Director of Foundation Relations for the Texas Methodist Foundation.