Dear Friends,
As I think about the ministry of the Missouri United Methodist Foundation and the churches and people we are blessed to serve, I keep coming back to one important question: How are we helping the next generation understand what it means to live generously?
We spend a great deal of time teaching our children how to succeed, how to work hard, how to make good decisions, and how to prepare for their futures. All of those things matter. But are we also teaching them how to be generous? Are we helping them understand that what we have is a gift from God, that we are blessed to be a blessing, and that a meaningful life is about so much more than what we own or what we accumulate?
As a pastor, I have always believed that generosity is about much more than money. It is a way of living. It is an expression of our faith, a reflection of our gratitude, and a tangible way we share God’s love with the world. And I believe those lessons are too important to leave to chance or wait until our children are adults to begin teaching.
That is why I am especially excited about a new ministry opportunity through the Missouri United Methodist Foundation: Raising Generous Kids in an Entitled World.
This program is designed to help churches and families become more intentional about nurturing generosity in the lives of children. In a world that often tells us we need more, deserve more, and should focus on ourselves, how do we help children develop grateful hearts, compassionate spirits, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others?
I am passionate about this because I believe the church has an important role to play. We have an opportunity to partner with parents and grandparents, create meaningful experiences for families, and help children discover the joy of giving, serving, sharing, and caring for others. And we don’t have to be a large church or have a big budget to make a difference. Every congregation can be part of helping raise a generation that understands generosity as a way of life.
I would love to help your church begin that conversation! Through the Missouri United Methodist Foundation, I am offering Raising Generous Kids in an Entitled World as either a two-hour interactive workshop or a 50-minute presentation. Together, we will explore practical ways to counter entitlement, encourage generosity at home and at church, and equip parents and congregations with ideas and resources they can put into practice.
My hope is that this becomes more than a one-time class. My hope is that it sparks a ministry—a commitment to raising children who recognize their blessings, see the needs around them, and understand that they have something meaningful to offer the world.
Whether you are a pastor, a parent, a grandparent, a Sunday school teacher, or someone who simply cares about the future of the church, I invite you to think about the part you can play in this important work.
The future of the church is not just about what we leave for the next generation. It is also about what we teach them to value, how we teach them to live, and the faith we help them carry into the world.
Thank you for the many ways you invest in the life and ministry of the Missouri United Methodist Church. I am grateful to be in ministry with you, and I look forward to finding new ways we can help individuals, families, and congregations flourish.
With gratitude,
Rev. Laura Murphy,
Missouri United Methodist Foundation
To schedule Raising Generous Kids in an Entitled World for your congregation or ministry, contact Laura Murphy at LMurphy@mumf.org.