Firm Foundations

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.

The legitimate prayer—the legitimate ask—is for “not too little” but, it is also for “not too much.” Most of us never think about bread (or money) in this way.

So where does the power come from? In my case it comes from an electrical power station miles away from home. This begs the question: How does the power get from there to here?

Should my church have an annual stewardship and finance campaign? Should people in my church consider how to use all God has given them?

Do you think people who give generously in life would want to stop being generous at their death?

There is a saying in the world of fund-raising. The reason people don’t give you a second gift is because you never said thank you for the first one.

“When money becomes the reason, bad things will generally start to happen.”

When people change their giving, they are telling you something has changed in them. Almost always that change signals a prime time for ministry.

Those of us in leadership need to look at our budgets from time to time and ask ourselves, “What about our budget is directed toward the coming generation?”

The next time your leaders meet, share the information above and ask three questions;

You might be surprised how this simple approach results in motivating people to plan a gift at their passing. If you ask it in this way the likelihood is that the gift will continue into the general budget of the church.