Firm Foundations

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.

An important first question for every Finance Committee is: How are we growing the stewardship and giving in our church family? Try putting that on your agenda for the next meeting.

The next time your church Board or Council gets together ask the question: “Who is paying attention to the growth of our giving and stewardship?