Asking the Wrong Question
Cooperative Program giving is not increasing because you have made it all about you. That will be my opening statement on April 25th when I address CP/Stewardship leaders from each State Convention of the SBC. I plan on pausing for dramatic effect and then continuing with this story. That was the comment I made to […]
The Theology of Gratitude
The theology of gratitude? Is that a real theological principle, I questioned. So, when in doubt, Google it! I found a multitude of articles and posts talking about the theology of gratitude. Who knew? Whether you believe in calling it theology or not, we all agree that gratitude is pretty cool. This week’s Journal is […]
The SBC’s Ticking Time Bomb
Southern Baptist churches are heading into a crisis that will determine which local churches will survive and which will slowly die. The chart on the left identifies the ticking time bomb about to explode throughout the Convention. Can you see the problem? Can you do the math? 84% vs. 16%! 84% of the church’s dollars […]
The Attendance Challenge
Losing Their Religion: Why US Churches are on the Decline was a title by the Guardian that grabbed my attention recently. The lead sentence sums up the article well: “Churches are closing at rapid numbers in the US, researchers say, as congregations dwindle across the country and a younger generation of Americans abandon Christianity altogether.”1. […]
You Need a Real Buddy
Pastors are facing unprecedented challenges, with many wearing down and wearing out. We asked long-time pastor Richie Rhea to write a word of encouragement to MBC pastors. Here is his post. The truth is, when you are in a leadership position as a pastor, making genuine friends is tricky. There are lots of reasons why. […]
The Economy Is Impacting Giving
November Cooperative Program Allocation Budget report shows impact of economic woes. That was the headline of a Baptist Press article published in early December 2022. Don’t feel bad if you missed it. It certainly isn’t a compelling headline. Even if you read it, I doubt it elicited much response. But it should. Why? Because CP […]
Maximize Gifts and Reduce Rates with ACH
For the past few weeks, we have been focusing on end-of-year giving. In this final Journal for 2022, we want to share with you one way in which you can maximize giving and reduce your rates. Americans are in love with acronyms. Our government certainly loves them. Think FBI, IRS, CIA, DIA, and on and […]
Yes, You Can Go Back!
You can’t go back. Within weeks of the pandemic arriving in the U.S., we began hearing Evangelical leaders writing and speaking on this subject. A Christianity Today article on May 22, 2020, summed up this view best by saying, “Most of the “what ifs” we’re dealing with are about what the latest health department limitations […]
What is Your Over/Under Split?
“I took your advice and broke down our donors by age and discovered that 84% of our donors are 50 in age and above!” That was the start of an email from a Business Administrator in an SBC church in the Southeast. He then attached a pie chart of their church’s giving by age, seen […]
To Increase Giving, Increase Bible Reading
If you want to increase giving, increase Bible engagement. That is the conclusion of a recent report by the American Bible Society entitled State of the Bible USA 2022. Their report concluded, “Nearly three of five Scripture Engaged Americans (58%) report giving at the higher level.”1. They defined Scripture Engaged as being “consistent interaction with […]