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September 2019 Resource

Climb Higher: Reaching New Heights in Giving and Discipleship
Title:
Climb Higher: Reaching New Heights in Giving and Discipleship
Author:
Scott McKenzie and Kristine Miller
Publisher:
Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN
Book Review By:
Melvin Amerson

Premise of the Book:
Congregations can develop financial leaders and generous givers by encouraging discipleship-building, while offering a compelling God-driven vision that inspires generosity.

What the Book Does:
Climb Higher is a great resource for pastors or laity who are responsible for stewardship/generosity ministries in the local church. This book uniquely uses the acronym C.L.I.M.B. an abbreviation from the initial letters of the chapters of the book. They drew on a comparison of stewardship development and summiting Mt. Everest. Vision, discipleship, leadership and stewardship practices are strategically integrated to develop financial leaders and strengthen general stewardship and annual campaigns. Also, ideas are offered on communicating ministry impact, which inspires generosity.

Chapters:

Introduction
Chapter 1- Clear and Compelling Vision
Chapter 2- Leadership Development
Chapter 3- Inspiration
Chapter 4- Motivation
Chapter 5- Boldly Ask
Appendixes- A-E

What are the Important Insights:

This resource is filled with helpful ideas that inspire growth in discipleship and generosity. “Create a culture of gratitude, prayer, and willingness, and you will find yourself well on the summit of enduring and effective stewardship.” (p. 49)

Possibilities as a resource for churches:
This is a good resource for clergy and Finance/Stewardship Committee members who want to improve or create a culture of generosity and enhance the annual stewardship campaign.


Melvin Amerson Area Representative

Rev. Melvin Amerson is a member of the Texas Annual Conference and serves as a Resource Specialist/Area Representative at TMF. His experience and passion lie in encouraging and developing generous, faithful leaders and congregations.

Melvin is the author of Celebrating the Offering, Fruit for Celebrating the Offering and Stewardship in African American Churches: A New Paradigm, as well as several articles covering topics from generosity, leadership and visioning. Currently, he serves as a board member of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center and is a nationally-recognized generosity consultant known for his engaging presentations.

Melvin obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, a Master of Divinity degree concentrating in Christian education from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, an Executive Leadership certificate from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and a certificate in Professional Fundraising from Boston University.