The Passionate Steward (as can be seen from the multi-denominational praise of Orthodox to Protestant experts in the field of stewardship) stands alone in its ecumenical reach and appeal. Not only does it treat the uniqueness and similarities within the range of mainline Churches: it also provides a much needed indication of how those issues are played out in both the United States and Canada.
Moreover, in these trying times of sin threatening the wellbeing of the Church (the scandal of sexual abuse in the U.S., and Residential Schools litigation bankrupting the major Christian denominations in Canada), The Passionate Steward is both timely and timeless in its relevance.
"O'Hurley-Pitts offers a work that invites us to reconsider our contemporary methods of fundraising and of individual giving. His work is courageously faithful to scriptural principles and will certainly inspire individuals and community... It is a very useful and practical text for teachers, students and those involved in parish financial or ministerial work. It is a book that offers all socially concerned Christians a firm foundation for their work and lives as stewards."
- Catholic Studies Book
Reviews
Adelphi University
"The Passionate Steward:
Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising" by Michael
O’Hurley-Pitts throws Christian charity into stark relief against the more pragmatic,
results-oriented approach used by lay agencies, and challenges churches to get back to
Biblical basics... The gift chart approach, which has been widely used in Canadian and
U.S. churches since the 1950s, teaches the majority of parishioners that Christian
stewardship is not their personal responsibility, and it leaves the wealthy few
embittered. It tends to discourage regular weekly giving, so that churches lapse into
financial crisis much more frequently. And, says O’Hurley-Pitts, it’s disastrous
in small, poor and rural communities, where the wealthy 5% that the gift chart method aims
to target are often non-existent. The man is on to something here, and not just for
religious groups. I recall the executive director of a major arts institution telling me,
'This would be a much stronger, healthier organization if we had a thousand donors each
giving us a hundred dollars rather than a single wealthy donor giving us a hundred
thousand. But we can’t afford the time or the effort to cultivate them.' The revival
of a stewardship model (something the environmental movement has successfully lifted from
religion) could be helpful in many areas of philanthropy. These aren’t just questions
for the people who run churches. Since the CCP’s own statistics show that
three-quarters of the giving and volunteering in Canada is done by church-goers, what
happens in those congregations matters. If they become alienated, either by secular
fundraising methods or by the continuing fallout from the residential schools issue, it
will affect (and probably is already affecting) the entire charitable landscape in this
country."
- Front & Centre Magazine,
The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy
"The Passionate Steward
reads more along the lines of a "why-not" or "how-about" book in that
problems of parish stewardship are not addressed with definite solutions in mind, but are
exposed to allow the reader to come to the proper conclusions about what is best for
his/her church. O'Hurley-Pitts defines the various kinds of stewardship, pointing out
foremost that giving is "not transactional," but "vocational" .....
People should want to give without having to be bombarded by a "what's in it for
me" mentality, particularly when the incentives are hardly spiritual. For the
struggling small-town parish or the established metropolis church, The Passionate
Steward lay out the nuts and bolts of stewardship in a concise and timely
manner."
- The Catholic and Christian Book Reviews
"In this book you will find a
challenge to articulate the vision and values under which the Church works. you will be
asked to reflect on a theology of stewardship easily.... This is a book that belongs in
the libraries of all who have a passion for stewardship."
- The Anglican
The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of
Toronto
"The Passionate Steward
offers a profound and thought-provoking message that is not to be ignored by either the
clergy or the congregation."
- The Midwest Book Review
"Michael O’Hurley-Pitts... in
an articulate and passionate 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."
- Religion Book Reviews
"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."
- The Most Reverend Edward W. Scott, Retired Primate
The Anglican Church of Canada
"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."
- Priscilla S. Bizer, Vice President for Development
Andover Newton Theological School
"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
The Jesuit Development Office Toronto, Canada
"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,
Greek Orthodox Church, New York, New York
"Over the years while I
was involved in raising millions of dollars for the Anglican Church of Canada I had a
nagging feeling that all was not well with the process. That is why I welcome The
Passionate Steward: Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising by
Michael O'Hurley-Pitts..... Far too often the question of money has been separated from
the other two elements of stewardship: time and talent. It really becomes messy when they
are substituted for each other. When this happens, our understanding of stewardship as an
expression of our Christian profession is sadly compromised."
- The Reverend Canon Gordon Baker
The Anglican Journal
"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
National Planned Giving Institute College of William & Mary Williamsburg
"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
Diocese of New Westminster (Anglican Church of Canada)
"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
Ecumenical Stewardship Center, Indianapolis, IN
"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
Editor, Daughters of St. Paul, Boston, Massachusetts
"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
(The Newspaper of the Diocese of New
Westminster)
"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."
- The Messenger
(Evangelical Mennonite Conference Newspaper)