From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another issue of the Stewardship Journal. It’s hard to believe that we are already into November. Our last few editions have focused on the importance of end-of-year planning. Ready or not, the end of the year is two months away. We want to help you have the best stewardship months as we enter […]
A Promise You Can Count On
How many of you are ready for the election to be over? I was ready for it to be over before it started! By the time you reach my age, it seems like you have heard all the promises from politicians of every party. “I promise to…, fill in the blank. Rarely do the promises […]
How to Make Your Appeal About People
In my main column, I wrote about the message behind your appeals needing to be about people and life change. The following is from my 2022 #GivingTuesday Playbook. While this appeal fits best with a #GivingTuesday strategy, it shows how to position your appeal as compelling. #GivingTuesday suggested email copy. Subject Line: Help us feed […]
The Message Behind Your Budget
Make it about reaching people. I remember when that popped into my mind as a young pastor. I was out in my driveway shooting hoops, thinking and praying about how to raise $1 million. Back in the day, that was serious change. I kept thinking, “How will I get people to give to this project?” […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
“We exist to help pastors and church leaders build a culture of generosity founded upon biblical stewardship.” Mark Brooks, The Stewardship Coach, made that comment when I introduced him to the attendees of the Monday night session of our recent Convention. That sums up our intent well. Here is a preview of this week’s Stewardship […]
Halloween’s History
This might surprise you, but Halloween was not originally about trick or treating or candy. Like many of our holidays, Halloween is not what it once was. While the origin of Halloween is debated, we know that in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saint’s Day. That is the day […]
Pre #GivingTuesday Planning and Preparation
Use this to planning for #GivingTuesday. Start planning now! The greater the planning, the greater the results. So, start now thinking and planning how to make #GivingTuesday impactful. Decide where the money will go. I think this should be outside the church to support some ministry or cause your members would willingly support. New donors […]
Is the Economy Hurting Your Church?
Is the economy hurting your church? That’s my question to you and the title of this Coach. Lifeway Research decided to put that question to American pastors. They stated that “2022 marks the first time since 2016 that more than half of pastors feel the economy is having a negative impact on their churches and […]
What a Lottie Moon Offering Taught Me About Giving
“How many of you have a dollar bill on you tonight? Hold them up.” I made that comment one Sunday night in late December at the church I was pastoring. It was the typical Sunday night crowd of around 150 adults and youth. Across the sanctuary, hands went up, waving dollar bills. I said, “I’ve […]
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Welcome to another edition of the Stewardship Journal. Here is a preview of this week’s Journal. What do you do when your well-meaning WMU ladies want to publicize the Lottie Moon Christmas by putting a poster on your pulpit? That was the dilemma a young pastor encountered right out of seminary. Many of us have […]