After so many appeals for assistance, some donors become desensitized to requests for money. Could this pattern, noticed by charities that respond to disasters, also apply to everyday congregations? The strategies that may work for disaster-relief fundraisers can help your own efforts. From Greater Good Magazine.
Consistent communication, education and action will help develop a culture of stewardship and generosity in your congregation. The Stewardship Toolbox can help! This month’s free newsletter article and resources center on Stewardship of Our Leisure Time. Adopt the theme in your church by encouraging or sponsoring healthy, social activities and fun games. (Photo: David Hudson, […]
What does it mean to be a truly generous person? Wake Forest Professor of Philosophy Christian B. Miller believes that there’s much more involved besides giving time, talent, and resources. Generosity has a whole lot to do with attitude, empathy, and motivation, according to Miller. (Photo: Wikimedia, Creative Commons)
Churches and other nonprofit institutions could see billions less in bequests because of changes in the federal Estate Tax under the recently approved tax overhaul, says this expert. Of course, wealthy people can still give as much as they want to charity, but they have less incentive to do so. (Photo: 401(k) 2013, Creative Commons)
Jesus had it right — “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Evidence shows that when we give our money away, it’s not just the recipients who are blessed. We also find their our lives and wellbeing greatly enhanced. From MarketWatch. (Photo: Kregg Steppe, Creative Commons)
This is a great all-in-one resource for your congregation’s monthly stewardship communications. You’ll find “cut-and-paste” short “Stewardship Snippets” tied to the RCL readings for every Sunday’s bulletin, articles for your monthly newsletter or website. Also links for resources to “Teach,” “Preach,” “Lead,” “Think’, and “Do” stewardship. Prepared by SOLI web editor Rob Blezard. (Photo: Ken, […]
Income varies with the season, but per-member giving remains a reliable indicator of your congregation’s financial health. And churches that see an increase in per-member giving tend to exude some key traits, says church consultant Thom Rainier. See which your church has and which you’d like to develop! (Photo: 401(K) 2012, Creative Commons)
Research shows that gratitude is essential for happiness, but modern times have regressed gratitude into a mere feeling instead of retaining its historic value, a virtue that leads to action. Writer Robert Emmons explores the blocks to gratitude — and how to remove them! (Photo: Tiger Girl, Creative Commons)
To improve giving in a church, leaders need to approach the issue with the right heart and the right motivation, says Brian Jones of Senior Pastor Central. Otherwise, it’s just fundraising techniques and gimmicks. With this in mind, here are 10 things you can do right now that will help increase offerings. (Photo by Lisafx, […]
Here’s a site for you if your congregation has been intending to get busy with planned and legacy giving. From the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, this site covers the issue well and provides solid resources to get you going with a planned giving program. Check out its link to the PDF “Planned Giving Guide […]
