Educational, Mission & Vision, Stewardship & Generosity
A few months ago, I was reviewing a church stewardship letter that sounded like it had been written by a committee or maybe by a robot trying to be polite. Every sentence was technically correct, every phrase was smooth. But it didn’t say anything. There was no soul. I wasn’t inspired. Just a polished string … Continue Reading
Mission & Vision, Stewardship & Generosity
In the span of a week, I had two conversations and a podcast that gave me pause. One conversation was with my daughter, the other with a young church leader during a feasibility study. Then I listened to the recent edition of the First Day Podcast from the Lilly School of Philanthropy, featuring Una Osili … Continue Reading
Capital Campaign Planning, Mission & Vision, Stewardship & Generosity
The right guidance can unlock generosity, clarity, and momentum. See how outside counsel supports faithful leadership.A few months ago, I tried fixing a plumbing issue in our bathroom. I watched a few videos, made a trip to the hardware store, and gave it a go. It worked. Until it didn’t. By the end of the … Continue Reading
Educational, Stewardship & Generosity
It’s almost summer, that season when church people take a vacation, and so does their giving. But it doesn’t have to. With a little planning and a handful of practical ideas, your church can keep generosity steady and ministry strong all summer long. Whether folks are traveling, unplugging, or just shifting their routines, these ten … Continue Reading
There’s nothing like a cold sanctuary to get your attention. We are nearing completion of a campaign with one church whose furnace gave out – on Christmas Eve! That chilly wake-up call led them to take a serious look at their entire building, and what started as an emergency turned into a real moment of … Continue Reading
Easter is almost here, and if you’re feeling a little behind on your church’s social media planning, you’re not alone. Holy Week is always full. There are bulletins to finish, sermons to polish, lilies to arrange, and volunteers to coordinate. So if the social media strategy fell a bit lower on the list—this is your … Continue Reading
Mission & Vision, Stewardship & Generosity
A few years ago, I helped organize a fundraising dinner for Habitat for Humanity. It was nothing fancy, just a simple meal served in a church fellowship hall, the kind of gathering many churches hold regularly. The first year, we charged a set price per plate. People came, ate, enjoyed themselves, and we raised a … Continue Reading
Every Saturday morning, I wake up with two competing ideas: Do I finally tackle that household project I’ve been putting off, or do I grab a cup of coffee and a book and savor a slow start to the weekend? One side of me values productivity—getting things done, crossing things off the list. The other … Continue Reading
We were privileged to work with the Presbyterian Church of Wyoming last year with an innovative and adaptive vision. The HVAC system in their older building – housing the sanctuary, parlor, offices, library, and more – was failing. Cold church services in the winter and uncomfortably warm ones in the summer were no fun. And … Continue Reading
Recently, I was choosing hymns for an upcoming worship service. I opened the hymnal in the pastor’s office and noted the label on the inside cover: “In loving memory of John and Margaret, whose faith shaped this church for generations.” While I wasn’t familiar with John and Margaret, their legacy lives on, intertwined with the … Continue Reading