*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* What good will capital improvements be if you can’t keep the doors open and the lights on? Church leaders hesitate to run a capital campaign at the same time as the annual pledge drive. They wonder whether a capital campaign will hurt annual revenue. With the right process and good counsel, a “dual” … Continue Reading
A Campaign Website Bringing the Campaign Online This month, a guest article from Jason Smith, founder of GivingTools.com. How to create an effective, affordable capital campaign website Capital campaigns are all about people: welcoming their ideas and building a shared vision, and then asking the right people at the right time for the right gift … Continue Reading
Money Talk in the Church Breaking the Taboo “Money is tight. We’ll have to cut our budget again this year. People just aren’t giving like they did in the past.” “Half of our families don’t give anything to the church. How can we turn that around?” “I’m just uncomfortable going to church; they’re always asking … Continue Reading
That’s a Wrap: 6 Carols for Year-End Stewardship Snowflakes in the air, carols everywhere, Olden times and ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share Yes, Christmastime is here, and just a few days more to write the Christmas sermon! Here are five Christmas Carols to keep you mindful of generosity and stewardship during this … Continue Reading
Teach Your Children (Stewardship) Well How many of you had this experience as a child? Sitting in church with your family, the offering time arrives, the ushers come forward, the music begins, and you proudly place your offering in the plate as it goes by. My earliest memories of giving occurred in church. My parents … Continue Reading
The first time the trust department of the local bank called me, I was totally unprepared. According to the bank, the church would be receiving a bequest worth nearly $250,000. This planned gift was nearly double the entire annual budget of the church! We immediately agreed to meet in person to discuss the expected gift, … Continue Reading
The impact of your church’s ministries can inspire generosity, but only if you help people see the lives that are changed. Kevin Lee of Vanco Payments recently encouraged churches to communicate the impact of their ministries: Use the 80/20 Rule to Be a More Effective Church Steward Kevin promotes online giving for churches. First of all, … Continue Reading
The goal of the Annual Pledge Campaign is to grow generous givers. The Finance Committee of your church may disagree. But the Annual Pledge Campaign is not about money, and it’s not about the budget. The Annual Pledge Campaign should grow givers’ generous hearts. Our mission proceeds from the Great Commission – to go out … Continue Reading
Thank-You Notes Will Inspire Faith and Generosity When was the last time you received a personal thank-you note in your mailbox? I was reminded of the importance of saying “thank you” during the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving’s 12th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture. Dr. Christian Smith of Notre Dame presented some of the … Continue Reading