What do you do on Monday after Easter? The tendency after Easter is to pass out on the couch to rest up. Yet, if you want to keep your giving tank full, you must continually think about your generosity lanes. I’m continuing my series on the key generosity lanes you...
Years ago, I wrote a post on the key pointers for expressing gratitude. I’ve edited it down through the years, but the points remain good thoughts. Pastor, this would be a great discussion starter for your staff or Finance Team. So, here are my thoughts about crafting a thank you...
Easter is over, and it's time to think summer, as in summer camp! The Journal will soon turn to summer issues, but we think it is good stewardship for a pastor to attend summer camp. We say the Amen to Kyle Cravens piece below, originally posted in the Baptist Press...
The typical church in America today seldom, if ever, talks about money for fear of driving people away. Jesus said, “You have not because you ask not.” I realize he was talking about prayer, but people will respond when we ask correctly. It is not that we ask for financial...
Appeals, written correctly, are one of the best ways to increase giving at your church. The key is writing them well. Here is my one-page summary of tips for making your appeals appealing. First, we must understand that vision drives dollars. The reason most direct appeals fail for churches is not...
Michael Cabell speaks to a group of pastors about the Cooperative Program. Photo courtesy of KBC. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — Michael Cabell’s position is heavily tied to helping churches reengage with the Cooperative Program. However, giving through CP isn’t the first thing he preaches to those congregations. “Southern Baptists are a family,...
Should your church have a social media strategy for increasing generosity? Consider these statistics: More than half of the world now uses social media (62.3%) 5.04 billion people around the world now use social media, and 266 million new users have come online within the last year. The average daily time spent using...
The following thoughts will help craft your social media strategy. I give you advice to avoid and advice to adhere to! Avoid these Common Mistakes Churches Make in Social Media Not utilizing it at all. If you want to reach your neighborhood, you will find them on social media. Setting it up and...
Rick Blythe, the Director of Stewardship/Prayer Ministry for the Mississippi Baptists, sent me this question last week: “I have a consultation with a church next Monday, and they want me to address ways to estimate church giving for the next year.” I told Rick I would answer his question and...
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23 The above verse is from Jesus's teachings in The Parable of the Great Banquet. The master invited many guests, but few came. So,...
