Firm Foundations

The first responsibility of a leader is to define the reality—not worse than it is, not sugar-coated. Define the plan.

Whenever you find yourself choking on the gospel air, it probably isn’t the gospel air. It is your spiritual lungs struggling to be born again.

Wow! What a powerful statement. “My money is me where I cannot be.”

Thoughts on why your church is missing out on so many planned gifts.

Experts tell us that right about now most folks are quitting their New Year’s resolutions.

Bishop Mike Coyner, A Living Legacy.

A statement can be more than a form with numbers on it. Never waste a chance to say thank you and connect givers with your important mission.

God is reminding us that we “fit” in God’s life, no matter how unfit or ugly we seem to ourselves or others.

There is a time to work and a time to be thankful.

Many in our church do not have any idea of the things our congregation might need. That is why wise congregations share a Christmas list.

The most neglected part of any stewardship campaign is follow-up.

Why is it we don’t think about finances the same way we think about everything else—that is, spiritually?

Sometimes, in the arena of giving, we perceive that people are a problem we need to solve.

The important thing is that someone is paying attention to making disciples whose discipleship includes giving and generosity

For those of us in church this begs a couple of questions. First, “Who would I like to benefit when I die?”

Have you ever felt that your church’s stewardship has “15 tree possibilities” but is only bringing in “one tree returns?”

Do folks in your church know about a Charitable Gift Annuity?

People tend to fall into one of two camps in their giving development. Neither realize the goodness of God.

It is hard for church leaders to understand that very few people give to budgets. Short of an outright misuse of funds they will continue to give generously if they can be part of the story of changed lives

Yes, every pastor should have a list. He or she could work with the church Council to build it.