If your stewardship campaign begins in the fall, you’re already behind. Generosity grows through year-round storytelling, engagement, and discipleship. One of the most common mistakes churches make is treating stewardship as a six-week campaign that happens every fall. The calendar turns to September. A theme is selected. A brochure is printed. A few testimonies are … Continue Reading
Just three weeks ago my family, like yours, gathered in our home around the Christmas tree for that age-old tradition of sharing gifts. I was struck by the litany of “Thank you’s” around the room as each gift was opened. Thinking back on those moments inspired some reflections on the power of gratitude. There’s something … Continue Reading
Building for the Future: Capital Campaigns That Create Lasting Change Discover the lasting benefits of capital campaigns thru the real-life example of Community UCC, and see how your church can follow in their footsteps. Building for the Future Capital Campaigns That Create Lasting Change Imagine Your Church as a Beacon in the Community Imagine a … Continue Reading
From Debt to Mission How Strategic Fundraising Transformed Parkville Community Church’s Financial Health and Mission Impact This month, we delve into the journey of Parkville Community Church, a beacon of hope in its bustling suburban community near Kansas City. PCC’s leaders approached us with a remarkable opportunity to alleviate the financial strain of paying a … Continue Reading
This month I’d like to tell you two stories of historic Presbyterian churches who faced the challenge of aging infrastructure head-on and embarked on their own transformative journeys. Sixth Presbyterian in Pittsburgh’s East End and McKinley Memorial near the University of Illinois both offer examples of deep faith, a commitment to meet community needs, and the … Continue Reading
As your church gathers in the warmth of the Advent season, embracing the spirit of hope, peace, joy, and love, I send my heartfelt wishes to you and your congregation. This festive time invites celebration and provides an opportunity to envision a future filled with promise. Amid the joyous festivities, consider the profound gift of … Continue Reading
Church Interrupted: Reviving Your Congregation’s Capital Vision for the Future “Ready to Restart Your Congregation’s Capital Vision? Rev. Terry Epling Lead Campaign Strategist Remember 2019? It was a time when we made big plans. We looked forward to 2020 with high hopes and created new missions and visions. We had dreams and goals for … Continue Reading
Thank you for participating in Finding Your Church’s Why: Building the Story That Inspires Generosity. I hope our time together encouraged you to think differently about financial campaigns—not simply as fundraising efforts, but as opportunities to tell the story of God’s work through your congregation. Download the Presentation slides (PDF) Which contain: Discovery Questions Five … Continue Reading
What’s next for your church? This simple one-page conversation starter is designed to help church leaders identify their priorities, take stock of the financial tools they’ve already explored, and name the questions they’d like to consider next. Use it with your church council, governing board, finance committee, stewardship team, or other leadership group to start … Continue Reading
*|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