Remember when our Christian leadership was telling us that we cannot “go back” to our pre-COVID world because it no longer exists? In this post taken from my weekly newsletter, The Stewardship Coach we will examine how The Way Forward is Back.
How long has it been since you preached a stewardship series? I ask this question every year when I write about the necessity of stewardship education from the pulpit. Why is it that most pastors seldom, if ever, preach on stewardship? The answer is that it’s unpopular, and we fear we will turn people off and they will never come...
The times have changed and we better know how to take up an offering in this day of digital giving. Online giving is growing by leaps and bounds. Online giving to churches still has reached the tipping point of being the dominant way people give.
The future of the American church has been on my mind for some time now. I returned early from our trip to Germany as I had been invited to speak at a retreat sponsored by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention’s state stewardship leaders. My task was to give an update on the state of giving in America....
Two questions could determine whether you struggle this summer financially or not. First, what percentage of your giving comes in some digital form? Most churches are now at or beyond 50%. Here is a second question that most churches never ask, how much of your digital dollars comes online through ACH transactions? ACH, what? Automated Clearing House or ACH payments refer...
Churches that are fully funded know how to use show and tell to increase summer giving. Do you? You remember show and tell from school. You brought something cool from home and then you had to get up and tell about it.
If you haven't thought about what to say before you take up the Easter offering here is a sample offering talk for you! Don't fail to plan out the offering this Easter. After all the offering is worship. The key is setting up the offering as a time of worship. Create a moment that everyone, member and guest, WANT to...
Have you done the math? Do you know what percentage is given by those above 50 years of age versus what under 50 year olds give? I call this The Over/Under Split. We must be aware of this split and working to create a healthier balance.
Quick, can you remember what was said during the offering time? Can you even remember the offering? I'm glad it's just you and me. But, don't feel bad. Few if any pastors and staff think about or plan for the offering time. This shows they don't believe the offering is worship. Is it any...
