From the Desk of Our Executive Director

Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Coach. We are barely into the New Year, and the question we have for you is, how is giving? Our passion is to help churches create a culture of generosity built upon biblical stewardship values. Each week we write with that goal in mind. Our desire is to help you get off to a great giving start to the New Year, and this Journal can help.

Here is a preview of this week’s Stewardship Journal.

How is the economy impacting your giving and your planning? That was one question we posed to several MBC pastors recently. You can read what a few responded back in our lead article, Missouri Baptist Pastors Speak Up About the Economy and Giving. We believe it is helpful to hear what others are doing to meet the challenges posed by a downward economy.

Good Vision Trumps Bad Economy! That is a line from Mark Brooks’, The Stewardship Coach, post on Using Your Vision to Increase Giving. Mark shares how to communicate your vision in such a way that no matter what the economy is doing, your people will stay motivated to give to your church. By using the power of vision to connect people to generosity, you can and will increase giving. Mark shows you how.

In the Bonus Section is a post entitled A Sample End-of-Year Giving Statement. Churches are required by law to send out yearly statements on giving. The Bonus Section shows how to do that while casting a compelling vision. Use this sample to craft your giving statements, and we believe it will advance stewardship and giving at your church.

Did you know we are weeks away from Valentine’s Day? This week’s Mission and Ministry moment is entitled Does $165 Say I Love You? The “talk” focuses on how much Americans spend on Valentine’s Day and makes an appeal to give to what really matters, the Kingdom. Taking two minutes or less to set your offering up with talks such as these will help you increase giving.

Do you have a story to tell? Would you like to write for the Stewardship Journal or be on our contact list for posts like Missouri Baptist Pastors Speak Up? Contact Rob Phillips at rphillips@mobaptist.org. We would love your contribution to the Journal. Tell us your story!

Advancing the Gospel!