About Course - SL-01 - Relational Stewardship

by Sandy Lindahl

“Relational Stewardship”, taught by Ms. Sandy Lindahl, Principal at Lindahl Consultants, will be offered from May 24 to June 14. “Relational Stewardship” features four audio-graphic video lessons that students can view at their convenience, and reading assignments.

Brief Course Description

In the Relational Stewardship course, students will consider Christian models and practices for healthy relationships of various kinds, and the positive outcomes for individuals, congregations and communities. Students will consider a broad range of personal relationships ranging from God and self, family and friends to workplace and worship-place connections, and communal relationships that can bring new purpose and energy to congregations.

Topics Include

Community Focus: Students will connect relationship concepts to current trends and events, bringing concepts and practices to bear on contemporary issues of "the other" such as racial tensions in communities, attitudes about immigration, debates about the 1% economic and class divisions, generational perspectives  and other topics of interest to participants.

Church Focus: The class will examine how decisions to give of ourselves and our resources depend on relationships, emotional connections, trust and teaching. Students will review and discuss ways to integrate "fundraising" as a ministry integral to all that the Church does and is, and ways to engage people's energy and time productively in the church's mission.

Personal Focus: Students will consider how personal choices affect their own well-being and their connectivity with other beings and Creation.

About the Series

“Relational Stewardship” is part of the Steward Leaders Engaging God’s Mission online course series  offered by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center and TransformingTheChurch.org. Students enrolled in Steward Leaders Engaging God’s Mission courses learn principles and practices relating to stewardship and leadership through studying Scripture, exploring holistic perspectives, critiquing culture, developing healthy relationships, and achieving financial health.

About Sandy Lindahl

Sandy Lindahl is a Commissioned Minister for Holistic Stewardship in the United Church of Christ. Since the early 1980s she has served denominational and regional church bodies and several non-profit organizations in various resource development capacities. Ms. Lindahl is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Geneseo, and she completed courses at Andover Newton Theological School.

About Ecumenical Stewardship Center

As a Network for Growing Stewards, the Ecumenical Stewardship Center provides resources that encourage the development of generous giving and faithful stewardship as transformational spiritual practices for faith communities and their leaders. Twenty denominations and several stewardship-related organizations in the US and Canada are partners in ESC's mission and ministry. You can find them on the ESC website at www.stewardshipresources.org.