Steve McSwain is a generosity strategist, inspirational speaker, spiritual guide, and author. Generosity Strategist – Steve is a Senior Generosity Strategist with the Generis Team of non-profit professional fundraising executives (visit www.Generis.com/Steve-McSwain). Steve coaches clergy and congregational leaders in leadership, spiritual direction, “best giving practices” in annual fundraising and capital campaigns. Inspirational Speaker - His talks and books on generosity and spirituality inspire a diverse audience among those aspiring to live a more conscious, compassionate, and charitable life. His talks and writings are filled with spiritual wisdom for living more generously and experiencing a life of well-being, joy, and abundance. Author/Blogger – Steve has written two books, The Giving Myths: Giving then Getting the Life You’ve Always Wanted and The Enoch Factor: Sacred Art of Knowing God. The latter, The Enoch Factor was named in 2011 one of two finalists for the coveted designation and award for the “Most Inspirational Book of the Year.”
Inspiration by Dr. Steve McSwain From the moment he begins speaking, Steve connects with his audience making them feel, as one observer noted, “deeply connected to something grander than life itself.” Steve’s stories are personal, sprinkled with humor, and filled with wisdom. Having visited nearly every continent by the time he graduated high school, Steve’s extensive world travels and rich cultural experiences have deepened his insights into human existence and heightened his awareness of and appreciation for the myriad of peoples, cultures, and spiritual traditions around the world. “As you expand your consciousness of life itself,” explains McSwain, “you will enhance the quality of your own life and that of life itself.” Insight from Dr. Steve McSwain In 2007, Dr. Steve McSwain wrote The Giving Myths: Giving then Getting the Life You’ve Always Wanted. To this day, it is still regarded by leaders from virtually every faith tradition in America as one of the most thorough and thoughtful books on generosity and charitable giving of the twenty-first century. In 2011, Dr. Steve McSwain wrote The Enoch Factor: The Sacred Art of Knowing God which was named one of only two finalists in the category, “Most Inspirational Book of the Year” in the Indie Book Awards at the Global Book Expo, New York City (2011). In this groundbreaking, sometimes controversial, but passionately engaging book, Steve explores a new kind of spirituality, one that transcends every faith tradition. “The survival of humanity is at stake,” observes McSwain. “Virtually every conflict — between nations, religions, and even between people within the same religion — has been the inevitable consequence of the widespread illusion, ‘We’re right; You’re wrong!’ ‘We’re in; You’re out!’ ‘We’re the chosen ones; You’re not!’ Such insanity must end if humanity is to survive!” More than a personal odyssey, therefore, The Enoch Factor offers fresh insights into the teachings of Jesus and just how similar are His teachings with that of the Buddha, Lao Tzu, Muhammad, Thich Nhat Hanh, and many others. Dr. Steve McSwain is an executive coach. Each year, he counsels a select group of pastors and administrators, entrepreneurs and CEO’s, community leaders, and especially religious leaders interested in enhancing their leadership, spiritual influence and impact, and entrepreneurial skills. Instruction with Dr. Steve McSwain Dr. Steve McSwain is the founder and CEO of the Foundation for Excellence in Giving, Inc. The company has assisted non-profits, faith-based organizations, and congregations with strategic counsel, vision and mission casting, executive coaching for CEO’s, pastors, administrators, development officers, boards, church staffs representing virtually every religious communion in America. The Foundation has conducted hundreds of feasibility studies as well as multiple annual and capital campaigns for non-profits and congregations across America. Steve has guided these congregations and non-profit organizations raise more than a billion dollars for worthy charitable causes worldwide. While a Christian by choice, Dr. Steve McSwain reveres all spiritual traditions. In a spirit similar to that of Fr. Thomas Merton, Fr. Henri Nouwen, Mother Teresa, Thich Naht Hanh and Pope Francis himself, Steve seeks to build bridges between all people and faith traditions. Steve passionately advocates for a conscious, inner vision of unity he holds to be the future of the human family. What Mother Teresa used to say of herself, Steve now says of himself, “I love all religions but I’m IN LOVE with my own.” Dr. Steve McSwain holds a doctorate in ministry and theology is married to Pam and, between the two of them, they are the proud parents of four children and an ever-expanding family of beloved grandchildren – nine to date. Biography of a Lighter Nature… TOP “10” REASONS TO HIRE DR. STEVE MCSWAIN (Humorous Biography) 10. Steve’s pant size is 36/30, but only when wearing “stretch waist pants” for men in their sixties. 9. Steve lives in Kentucky, home of 90-proof bourbon, baseball bats, fried chicken and cigarettes, which explains why the state motto is, “If it kills you, it was made in Kentucky!” 8. To mid-westerners, Steve sounds like a hillbilly from Kentucky…and that may be because, he is. 7. When he taught Communication and Public Speaking at the University of Kentucky, Steve’s students gave him some of the highest marks any professor has ever received at the university. But then, what else would you expect when, on the day when students complete their “Professor Evaluations,” Steve treats his students to free pizza at Papa John’s? 6. Steve has authored 3 books and is writing a 4th. But, if it’s like the others, it’ll have little impact, too. 5. Steve is 67-years old. He was supposed to be 68, but his parents held him back a year. 4. Steve is a former Baptist minister…and, yes, he’s still in recovery. 3. Although he admits to loving all religions, Steve has managed to maintain a secret love affair with that of his own. 2. When asked what his largest speaking gig has ever been, event planners are amazed to discover Steve has spoken to audiences greater than 10,000. But get this: Steve can be just as boring to audiences of ten persons or less. 1. If these 9 reasons have not convinced you to engage Steve McSwain already, maybe a serious one will: Dr. Steve McSwain has something important to say about how to live a life of well-being…about how to leave a legacy that makes this world a better place for the generations that will follow you.
steve asks
“When you depart this world – and you will depart it – the only question is:
For having lived in the world, how will you leave it?
Steve has been a congregational consultant for nearly 40-years. For the last several years, he has been on the Generis Team.
Steve has provided fundraising counsel in capital campaigns, annual campaigns, guidance on feasibility studies, for congregations and Christian Schools, representing every major Christian denomination in the U.S., Catholic, Evangelical, and Protestant notwithstanding.
In his letter of commendation, one pastor summarized his experience when Steve served as their consultant in a capital campaign:
Our parish has been through multiple capital campaigns over the years. And, quite honestly, many of our people had lost faith in the process and largely because of the fundraising consultant hired to lead it.
The parish's experience with you, however, has been refreshing and totally different. So, again, thanks for your hard work, your constant presence with us throughout, and, thanks for creative counsel you provided. It resulted in the most successful capital campaign in our parish's nearly 175-year history.
Steve is first and foremost a Christian. Raised in a Christian family with strong, conservative Christian values, Steve served as a minister in the Protestant/Evangelical world for twenty years after earning MDiv and DMin degrees beyond his college degree in communications. Steve has also taught Communication and Public Speaking at the University of Kentucky for several years but, for nearly 30-years now, Steve has been a congregational consultant serving churches of every denomination as a colleague with Generis, the largest church consulting firm in the U.S.
Steve's life experiences have been rich, even life-transforming. While his father was a minister, his mother was an accomplished tour leader and travel director. Steve's parents annually led tour groups to nations and places around the world. By the time Steve had graduated college, for instance, Steve had visited all of the Scandinavian countries, Finland, Russia, Africa, Saudi Arabia, as well as Europe and all of the Middle East on at least four different occasions, India, Thailand, North and South Korea, including Japan, and Hawaii and these are just the ones he can remember.
This exposure Steve has experienced while visiting the multiple political, social, cultural, racial, and religious differences that exist simultaneously in the world has impacted Steve so deeply, he sees the world today through fresh eyes not clouded by beliefs he once held to with fervor. Today, Steve sees the world through inclusive eyes. In fact, Steve often says in his inspirational talks, "If you want to become more spiritual, what you are wanting...praying for...seeking is to become more inclusive."
This is why Steve's talks inspire so many and his books and blogposts on spirituality have expressed a vision many others share...a vision of a world where people stop seeing differences - which only ever lead to division - and start seeing with new eyes...
Christian eyes...or,
Jewish-eyes or,
Muslim-eyes or,
Buddhist or Hindu-eyes or,
No-Religious eyes...
One humanity.
One big family.
A family of ones...you and me.
