Too many congregations use a tired — and less effective — approach to filling a year-end gap in their budgets: They send out letters begging for donations, sometimes even using veiled threats that the church will close. There’s a much better way, says this article from Church Law & Tax. (Photo: Steve Jurvetson, Creative Commons)
To say that the end of the calendar year is a busy time for church financial departments is an understatement. This checklist of calendar year-end financial tasks will help you stay on track and be organized in 2020. From CapinCrouse. (Illustration: AJ Cann, Creative Commons)
The Sustainable Advent Calendar offers 24 inspirations for how we can create a better world. Daily from December 1 to 24, there’s a simple idea for adopting a more sustainable lifestyle that helps protect the environment, enriches life and creates. (Photo: Tina D, Creative Commons)
It’s almost upon us, that long stretch of overindulgence known as the holiday season. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, it’s too easy to overindulge. Here are some tips for preparing yourself for making it to 2021 as healthy as possible. From the Philadelphia Inquirer. (Photo: Dr. Abdulla, Creative Commons)
OK, it happens year after year: You begin gaining those holiday pounds by eating heavy on Turkey Day. Start the season with healthier recipes for favorite dishes. Allrecipes.com also offers vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, gluten-free and other recipes. (Photo: Moonlightbulb, Creative Commons)
It’s hard to see God’s providence as sufficient when the consumer culture all around us is living in “accumulation mode.” This hands-on Bible study/exercise helps participants understand the power of generosity to unlock enough for all of God’s people. From the United Church of Canada. (Photo: OER Training, Creative Commons)
During the Sunday offering, are you asking your congregation to “give money” or are you inviting them to participate in what God is doing in the world? Here, from the United Methodist Church, is a beautiful brochure that explains how to raise money AND disciples. (Photo: Lisafx, Bigstock.com)
The Covid-19 pandemic has lasted much longer than anybody imagined when it started back in March, with devastating consequences not just to our health but also our economy. Most families have had to adjust their finances in some way. What have we learned? Here are six important lessons. From Crosswalk.com. (Photo: Varkle69, Creative Commons)
What’s happening in congregational stewardship? Drawing on close to 20 years of observation with thousands of congregations, the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving identifies these different sets of values and practices as as traditional and emerging paradigms. From Luther Seminary. (Photo: Robert Couse-Baker, Creative Commons)
As an emergency room doctor for 15 years, Matthew Sleeth saw thousands of patient and gave them the best care he could. Now as executive director of Blessed Earth he is focusing on a very sick patient — Planet Earth. He shares his story in Guideposts. (Photo © JcJg Photography – Fotolia.com)
