“We have a ton of debt, very little in our savings account, and just bought a brand-new car. What should we do?” Statistically speaking, many in your church are facing significant financial challenges. They have debt. They have more bills than money at the end of every month. Saving for retirement isn’t even a consideration. […]
Are you making the most out of your offering moment? Many pastors shy away from talking about money and generosity. Which is understandable. Not only can it be an uncomfortable conversation but you’re likely to get some people in your church who disagree with you or voice different opinions. But it’s an important conversation to […]
Get out the sunscreen, baseball glove, and fireworks. The summer is quickly approaching. During the summer months, church life changes. Members’ church attendance is often hit or miss due to vacations. Because of the sporadic attendance, some churches decide to reduce ministry offerings during the summer. And for some church leaders, this means there is […]
“Is my church financially healthy?” If you are a church leader asking this question, you are not alone. There are some key questions that can help you determine a church’s financial health. While the following list is not exhaustive, answering these questions may provide an indication of whether the church is in a financially healthy […]
I looked at our grocery bill. Wow. As a dad of three growing and constantly hungry boys, our house goes through an amazing amount of food. Our milk consumption alone likely supports several dairy farms. Food costs for us have always been high, but recently they have climbed significantly higher. Inflation is the increase in […]
In his book, Money, Possessions, and Eternity, Randy Alcorn wrote, “Christians are God’s delivery people, through whom he does his giving to a needy world. We are conduits of God’s grace to others. Our eternal investment portfolio should be full of the most strategic kingdom-building projects to which we can disburse God’s funds.” When you […]
It is hard to read the story of Ananias and Sapphira without your eyes becoming wide open with astonishment. In Acts 5:1-11, we read how the couple sells a piece of land and gives a portion of the proceeds to the church, while claiming to give the entire proceeds. Both the husband and the wife […]
“The Smiths are great. They will be the perfect couple to lead our premarital counseling ministry.” Dennis was the senior pastor of a midsized church in the St. Louis area. Recently, the couple who had run their premarital counseling program moved to another state. This was significant because the church had three couples that needed […]
In Matthew 27, we read how the unfathomable became reality. God had sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to the world. While on earth, He lived a sinless life, doing what no human could ever do on their own. Yet, He was condemned to die on a cross. In Matthew 27, we see Jesus, […]
Throughout Scripture, we find stories of sacrificial giving. The men and women in these stories demonstrated a type of generosity that was not easy or comfortable. And it is these uncomfortable stories that help us understand the type of generosity God desires of us. Each story provides lessons from which we can learn. Let’s look […]
Do you know someone who is sacrificially generous, someone who forgoes want, or even need, for the sake of giving? How would you characterize them? If you consider those who are sacrificially generous, you may notice some common characteristics. Though they may have different backgrounds, incomes, and standards of living, they often share some similarities. […]
It’s Easter morning and the sanctuary is full. You see faces that haven’t shown up since Christmas, and plenty of new ones scattered in. You’ve worked hard to make this day a memorable and impactful one for your congregation. But, all the while in the back of your mind, you know so many will walk […]