From the Desk of Our Executive Director

How is your giving going as you head into the end of summer? If you are like most churches, giving has been a challenge this summer. For those of you running on the traditional SBC calendar, you only have a few weeks left in your budget. Every church needs to keep the offering plate full as we enter the last quarter of the year. The question is how can you accomplish this? Well, welcome to this edition of the Stewardship Journal where we will be discussing how to close any giving gap you might be experiencing coming out of summer.

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

How to Use Labor Day to Make Up Lost Ground is our lead post. In this post, Mark Brooks, The Stewardship Coach, lays out the reasons why you need to consider a Labor Day offering and then gives you practical advice on how to have a successful Labor Day offering. Using these tools, you can not only make your budget on Labor Day weekend, but you might close any giving gap you have.

Mark then writes a column on a recent Barna report on the state of giving in America, entitled The Coach’s Review of the Latest Barna Research on the Giving Landscape. You will find some interesting information on the state of giving and how that could potentially impact your church. I love how Mark ends his post by saying, “Knowing national giving trends is helpful. It gives you insight into what possible barriers and concerns you face with donors. Yet, in my experience, a local church, committed to the discipleship process can and does beat national statistics. Get started today making disciples.” To that I say, Amen!

This week’s Bonus Section is entitled How to Use Labor Day Weekend to Increase Giving. This section will give you additional advice and ideas on how you can use Labor Day weekend to see an increase in giving.

We believe when churches set up their offering time with stories of how giving makes an impact, they will raise more money than those who don’t. So, every week we provide you with a talk to go with your offering time. This week’s Mission and Ministry offering section is entitled Let’s Finish Strong. It’s a great talk designed to motivate your members to help you end the summer on a high note.

Our prayer is that this Stewardship Journal will help you have the best Labor Day offering ever!

We are looking for stories of churches that have used the Journal to increase giving. We would love to hear your story about how the Journal has helped you and your church increase giving. Email Rob Phillips at rphillips@mobaptist.org. Your story could inspire others.

Advancing the Gospel!