In an age when many Christian denominations are shrinking and the demographics of the churchgoing public seem to get more dire by the day, pastor and author David Roseberry reveals the two-thousand-year-old secret weapon that conquered the first-century world: generosity. Citing the principal "meme" of the earliest Christians--"It is more blessed to give than to receive"--Roseberry demonstrates the power of unselfish giving to propel the message of Christ throughout a culture obsessed with "selfie theology." Roseberry challenges churches to rethink everything they know about generosity, giving, and the gospel by drawing on powerful examples from the biblical record, from church history, and from the front lines of today's culture wars. He shows how the simple, profound influence of sacrificial generosity is the most powerful antidote to the self-obsessed, cynical spirit of our age. Building on this foundation, he lays out simple, actionable strategies designed to galvanize followers of Christ and activate the church for a radically counter-cultural way of life. The "twin engines" of evangelism and discipleship can no longer, by themselves, effectively drive the Gospel message, Roseberry asserts. Instead, the church must harness the irresistible moral force of the message proclaimed by the sacrificial life and death of its Lord, as reflected in the lives of those who follow Him. Giving Up: How Giving to God Renews Hearts, Changes Minds, and Empowers Ministry offers a fresh, thoroughly biblical, deeply theological alternative to the latest theories of discipleship and church growth. As Roseberry explains, "The Body of Christ is at its best and most powerful when it is at its most giving." If we want to win the world, we have to learn how to give up. "Generosity opens a place within us that brings out a joy and peace in life which comes in no other way. It is the way God made us. David Roseberry's Giving Up is a clear, concise, and practical guide to opening a generous space within every believer and every church. I dare every believer to practice these words. Our life and our churches would never be the same!" --The Most Reverend Dr. Foley Beach Archbishop and Primate, Anglican Church in North America Bishop, Anglican Diocese of the South "Giving Up is a legacy book, in a way. David Roseberry has collected and handed down his considerable wisdom on the subject of stewardship. But there is more to this book than that. David links generosity to both mission and discipleship in compelling ways. He places the value and practice of generosity at the very heart of the church, at the center of the life of a Christian. I am convinced! I am sending a copy of this important book to every ordained leader in my diocese." --The Right Reverend Todd Hunter Bishop, Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others "I have known David Roseberry as a friend, coworker, planter, and leader of one of the largest Anglican parishes in the US . . . and I am so happy to commend his writing. His book Giving Up will not only challenge church leaders and pastors, but point out a positive and generous way forward. Giving Up is a fresh call to be the church . . . not to 'seem to be' the church, and that's an issue we all need to get right." --Dr. Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair, Wheaton College "One of the marks of the ancient church was generosity! The Apostle Paul understood that one of the ways the love of God and neighbor is expressed best is through the generosity of others for the sake of others. David Roseberry's remarkable book is designed for all church leaders that have encountered a serious financial gap in fulfilling its mission. As a seminary professor of practical theology, I will have this book as required reading for all my classes in pastoral ministry." --Dr. S. Anthony Baron, Director/Associate Professor of Leadership and Pastoral Ministry, Azusa Pacific Seminary-San Diego Author, The Cross and the Towel and the The Art of Servant Leadership REV. DAVID ROSEBERRY is the founding pastor of Christ Church Plano (Texas), a congregation in the Anglican Church in North America. After serving that church for thirty-one years, Roseberry now serves as Dean of the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO), embracing churches in California, Kansas, Texas, and the southeastern United States. He also serves as Canon for Mission in the Anglican Church in North America and as executive director for LeaderWorks, a leadership development platform for churches and other ministries. He and his wife, Fran, live in Plano, Texas.