Restrictions on travel and gathering have caused financial pains for churches across the land. When people stay away from church, usually so do their offerings. But creative, proactive and strategic steps can help keep you ministry well funded through the emergency. (This is a follow-up to Rob Blezard’s recent similar post.)
The COVID-19 crises spells financial trouble for many congregations that are suspending group worship and activities. It’s too often the case that people give ONLY when they are physically present in church. There are, however, steps congregational leaders can take to maintain robust ministry and keep donations flowing. (Photo: AJC1, Creative Commons)
The April edition of your free Stewardship Toolkit equips your congregation to explore Creation Care with some web resources and theme centered writings: An original newsletter article and RCL-based Sunday bulletin snippets. Good, consistent communication can enliven your church’s stewardship culture. From SOLI editor Rob Blezard. (Photo: Neil T, Creative Commons)
Everybody wants their church grow, not just in donations and membership, but also in spiritual depth and breadth. Nourishing generosity is a key that can help unlock the potential, says this article from ChurchExecutive.com. Check out the links to other resources, as well. (Photo © laurent hamels – Fotolia.com)
Here is a resource for your church’s monthly stewardship communications: “cut-and-paste” RCL-based “Stewardship Snippets” for Sunday bulletins, an article for your newsletter website. Plus helpful links. This month’s theme is “Steward your soul for a fuller life. By SOLI web editor Rob Blezard. (Photo: Ken, Creative Commons)
Lots of congregations fail to maximize donor potential by appealing to only only one or two ways that people are willing to give. Being aware of annual giving, capital giving, mission giving and legacy giving can help your congregation reach its goals. From the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Washington. (Photo by Lisafx, via Bigstock.com)
In this month of love, challenge your congregation to follow Jesus’s teaching to love their enemies. Really. This month’s Stewardship Toolbox explores the them with an original newsletter article, weekly RCL-based stewardship snippets and links. Good, free stewardship education materials. (Photo: Neil T, Creative Commons)
Multiplication is the principle energizing God’s economy, writes Pastor Rick Warren. Whatever you give to God — time, energy, money — God receives and gives you more. It’s not prosperity Gospel, it’s just how the grace economy works. How can this principle energize your ministry? (Photo: SweeTango, Creative Commons)
Consistent stewardship education and communication can help your congregation develop a healthy money culture, and the monthly Toolbox can help. It has an original newsletter article, weekly RCL-based bulletin snippets and links to help you explore a theme. This month’s: “Steward your best year ever!” (Photo: Ken, Creative Commons)
What does “first fruits giving” really mean? Exploring the feast of first fruits in Deuteronomy 26 gives us valuable insights, blogger Morgan Guyton writes in Patheos. “This feast of first fruits helps to illustrate the relationship between sacrificial worship and justice that has always been part of God’s teaching.” ((Photo: AlicePopkorn, Creative Commons License)
