The Coach’s Summer Recurring Giving Issue
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 […]
Is Online Giving Biblical?
This issue is focused on helping you increase your recurring giving. We thought it might be helpful to ask, is online giving biblical? Of course, online giving isn’t mentioned in the Bible. How can we answer the question then? Just because you cannot find online giving mentioned in the Bible doesn’t mean giving online is […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. Is Online Giving Biblical? That is a great question and the title of our lead post. A member might have told you that online giving wasn’t mentioned in the Bible. If so, this post will be helpful. Our position, which this post shares, is that the how […]
The 15 Offerings of Summer Playbook Plan
Use the chart to plan out your 15 offerings. The Who, How, What, When, Why column helps you decide the best way to communicate the story you are focusing on. Each offering is about connecting your summer vision to life change! Date Focus of Offering Who, How, What, When, Why? May 28th June […]
How to Avoid a Summer Slump in Giving
I’m on vacation! For the next two weeks, I will be visiting my daughter’s family in Germany. Actually, I will be there for only ten days. I will be making a presentation on April 25th to Southern Baptist’s State Convention stewardship leaders. I would appreciate your prayers! To give me a break from writing, I […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. How is your Annie Armstrong going? Most of our churches are in the final days of promoting the offering. I often found that the best time to review what worked and what didn’t was immediately after the event. In our lead post, we interview Pastor Dennis Gard […]
The 48-Hour Window
“Research has shown that first-time donors who receive a personal thank-you within 48 hours are four times more likely to give again. Yes, thanking in 48 hours equals a 400 percent improvement in renewal rates.” Tom Ahern, in his book, What Donors Want…and Why. I know you are tired from Easter, but you have a […]
5 Key Post-Easter Strategies to Keep Your Tank Full
Congratulations. You survived another Easter! Does the picture on the left resemble how you feel right now? I get my pictures through a service, and I typed in “exhausted,” and this picture came up. I immediately thought, “If anyone is reading this on the Monday after Easter, this is probably what they look like, or […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. Did you survive Easter? For pastors, this is an exhilarating day, but it can also be a day leading to great depression. Exhaustion might be the word that comes to mind. This week’s Stewardship Journal addresses the day after Easter. We begin with another post by long-time […]
Why Cash Reserves Are Essential for a 21st-Century Church
How much cash does your church have on hand? I remember, as a young pastor right out of seminary, reading about a church that had hundreds of thousands of dollars in reserve. I remember thinking, “in reserve for what?” In my view, if a church had money in the bank, that was money that should […]