To Increase Giving, Increase Bible Reading
If you want to increase giving, increase Bible engagement. That is the conclusion of a recent report by the American Bible Society entitled State of the Bible USA 2022. Their report concluded, “Nearly three of five Scripture Engaged Americans (58%) report giving at the higher level.”1. They defined Scripture Engaged as being “consistent interaction with […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome back to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. We took a break for Thanksgiving last week, but we are back, helping you close out this year strong and helping get you off to a great start for 2023. Here is a preview of this week’s Stewardship Journal. The title of our opening post is […]
We Thank God for You
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church at Philippi. I want to read his greeting to that church. He writes in Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from […]
How to Make January Recurring Giving Month
January is a good month to push recurring giving. While dated, the sample here gives you an idea of how to put recurring giving in the mind of your donors. This sample was in a yearly statement from North Point in Atlanta. How important is recurring giving for your stewardship platform? Here are my top […]
How to Be Ahead at the End of the First Quarter
3/4 of NFL teams leading after the first quarter go on to victory. I find the same is true when it comes to churches. In my experience, if a church struggles financially in the first quarter of the year, it will struggle financially all year. Your first quarter is crucial to the success of your […]
The Biggest Reason Churches Fail to Increase Giving
I have learned a few things over twenty years of helping churches increase giving. I call these my Brooks mantras. One of my mantras says, Get a plan and work your plan to achieve the goal of being fully funded. I preach this all the time, and the lack of planning is the biggest reason […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. We are grateful for your readership as we partner to advance the Gospel. Here is a preview of this week’s Stewardship Journal. What is the biggest reason churches fail to see increases in giving? The Stewardship Coach, Mark Brooks, answers that question in our opening post, The […]
Listing Our Blessings
Can you believe that we are now into November? Where did this year go? Am I the only one who feels like it was just summer, and now here we are thinking turkey and Christmas shopping? Time really does fly. Can I ask you a personal question? How has your year gone? Have you ever […]
Why Pastors Fear Talking Too Much About Money
Why are so many pastors reticent to preach or teach stewardship? Here is my list of reasons: Does any of the above hinder you? To combat all the above, we must develop the right attitude. A few years ago, I came up with this statement about the right attitude. The Right Attitude – My mission, […]
Are You Your Biggest Enemy?
We have met the enemy, and he is us. That quote was first used in 1970 by cartoonist Walt Kelly for a cartoon he created for the first Earth Day celebration. His point was that man’s treatment of the earth is the real enemy of the planet.1. In my line of work, I have found […]