Propel: Good Stewardship, Greater Generosity

Pastors and other church leaders often feel ill-equipped in the critical area of stewardship and giving. Propel: Good Stewardship, Greater Generosity
fills that need by offering a comprehensive course in church
stewardship for the pastor, stewardship leader, or seminarian. Author
Clayton Smith gives clear instructions for the organization and
implementation of annual campaigns, planned giving programs, memorial
gifts, and much more. He offers an extraordinary depth and breadth of
practical information along with the wisdom that comes with decades of
real church leadership experience.
“Every
pastor should have a copy of Propel readily at hand all year long. It is
as complete a guide to all phases of Christian financial stewardship as
exists today. I highly recommend it because of the excellent content
but also because of the author. Clayton Smith has been a student of
financial stewardship all his life. I am thrilled that now others may
learn from him. I wish I had this book forty years ago when I started
out. Propel will make a difference in your ministry!” —J. Clif Christopher, President and CEO, Horizons Stewardship Company
“As
leaders, we often know we must do something differently, but we are not
sure what or how. Clayton Smith propels us forward. This amazing
resource identifies the many wayswe can lead our congregations into a
bright future. Smith’s strategies and methods for generosity apply to
every church leader, any size church, and all denominations. This is
more than a stewardship or finance book. It helps build a culture in
which Christians can become the generous people they are intended to
be.” —Donald W. Joiner, Director of Operations and Stewardship, General Board of Discipleship
“Propel
demystifies the practices of generosity and stewardship in local
congregations. It is both a scholarly guide for pastors and a detailed
handbook for lay leaders. Smith covers giving of all varieties and
offers proven techniques that work in churches of all sizes and
contexts. Propel is a valuable guide for every leader, clergy or lay,
who sees generosity as an inescapable element of Christian
discipleship.” —Byrd L. Bonner, AIF, President, United Methodist Church Foundation
"Clayton Smith in his wonderful book Propel: Good Stewardship, Greater Generosity, describes six different ways to help people grow in their giving." —Margaret Marcuson, Marcuson Leadership Circle

Clayton L. Smith, now retired, served as the Executive Pastor of Stewardship and Generosity at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He served as a Senior Pastor in the United Methodist Church for more than 25 years and an Ordained Elder for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Lori, live in Stilwell, Kansas.

Adam Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton’s congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013.

Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Walk, Simon Peter, Creed, Half Truths, The Call, The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, John, Revival, Not a Silent Night, Enough, When Christians Get It Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, all published by Abingdon Press.