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 […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. Have you prepared for the offering on Easter? For most churches, the offering is an afterthought, particularly on Easter. We believe that is a mistake. In our lead post, entitled 3 Easter Offering Mistakes, we share with you how to make your Easter offering one of your […]
7 Reasons to Make Summer Giving Plans
Easter might be days away, but it is time to start thinking and planning for your summer giving initiative. The following post was printed at https://www.onlinegiving.org/support/7-reasons-to-make-summer-giving-plans. As we post this, we are days away from Easter. So, why would we be talking to you about summer giving? We will give you seven reasons. If any […]
3 Easter Offering Mistakes
You’ll have the biggest crowd of the year, both online and in attendance, but if you make these 3 Easter offering mistakes, you could lose the potential for your best offering ever! For many churches, the Easter offering can be a shot in the arm, helping them wipe out any giving deficits. Who even thinks […]
Last Minute Easter Planning Guide
Last Minute Easter Planning Guide – The following is taken from my Easter offering playbook called Say Yes to Easter Giving: Making Plans for Your Best Easter Offering. You can get a copy at: https://acts17generosity.com/shop/say-yes-to-easter-giving/. Week of March 27th – The Focus of this week is on Being Generous. Followers of Jesus live generously. We […]
It’s Time to Start Thinking About Summer Giving
Easter is less than two weeks away, so it is time to start planning for summer giving. If you are thinking you haven’t even planned for Easter, see my Bonus Section for last-minute advice on your Easter offering. Every year right before Easter, I start turning your attention to your next big giving obstacle, the […]
Why Not Just Have One Fund?
“I want to try something new.” That was a comment a pastor made to me a few years ago. A competitive firm was pushing a “new” concept called One Fund. Many SBC churches have embraced this concept. Many others, while not fully adopting a one-fund approach, combine all mission gifts. I’ve been in the stewardship […]