How Social Media Can Advance Your Summer Missions

“Can you coach me on how to increase giving at my church?” That was the first question Florida Pastor Dr. John Cross asked me one afternoon while driving down a back-road Indiana highway. At the time, he was at South Biscayne Church in the Sarasota area. His church was exploding with younger generations. That call […]

From the Desk of Our Executive Director

Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. Are you on social media? According to our lead post, How Social Media Can Advance Your Summer Missions, 59% of the world’s population uses social media.The average daily usage of social media is 2 hours and 31 minutes. With that kind of usage, it stands to reason that […]

How to Use May for a Recurring Giving Drive

Since we know that giving will be a challenge during the summer, why not start a drive for recurring giving throughout the month of May? First, let’s break down the top mistakes most churches make with regard to online giving. The number one mistake churches make with online giving is setting it up and then […]

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 […]