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Capital campaigns are intensive fundraising endeavors aimed at securing substantial funding within a set timeframe. Typically, these campaigns support projects like constructing a new church, renovating facilities or retiring debt. However, beneath the financial surface lies a profound question: Do capital campaigns align with biblical stewardship?
Read MoreUntil the introduction of online giving, givers weren’t really thanked for their donations to their church. It was their obligation and their worship, so they didn’t expect a thank you.
Read MoreFor the past few years, nonprofit organizations and churches have been hearing about the upcoming generational wealth transfer. Estimates range anywhere from $60 to $90 trillion dollars that will be passed from Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation to their heirs and the causes they care about over the next 30 years.
Read MoreWhile every giver is different, they are alike in this way: Each one starts with a first gift and concludes with their last. This can be when they stop supporting your church (lapsed) or bequeath a final gift posthumously (legacy).
Read MoreIt’s no easy task trying to get people to understand the beauty of giving and generosity. Giving is an expression of worship, an invitation to partner with God in everything. It requires you to “place your bet” on the work of God over the physical comfort of predictability. Many of us have felt the discomfort of calculating the amount of money God has deemed his tithe and tried to do the math on how that would impact our wallet.
Read MoreGenerosity is a core principle of Christianity and a fundamental teaching of Jesus, which every church leader wants their congregation to embrace and practice. While traditional methods such as tithing and fundraising campaigns have long been used, there is growing evidence that unconventional methods of generosity can have a profound impact. In this article, we'll explore three unique ways churches can inspire and cultivate a culture of generosity.
Read MoreIn recent years generosity and generosity ministry has gained popularity in the Church and non-profit organizations. Many church leaders have begun to use generosity in place of stewardship. This may seem like a better way to communicate the same thing for some, but do generosity and stewardship mean the same thing?
Read More"General Fund" and “Tithes” are the most common designations churches use to support day-to-day operations like staff salaries, facilities maintenance, and outreach programs.
These things, while perhaps not as tangible or inspiring as, say, digging a well in Somalia, are crucial. They ARE the cost of doing good.
Read MoreThe program year is already in full swing and, soon enough, you will be wrapping up another year of ministry. Now is the time to consider how you will engage your donors during this important giving season by encouraging tax-advantaged giving.
Read MoreIf you’ve been a Christian for a minute, you’ve been exposed to messages on giving to the church or requests to give to a capital campaign. There’s nothing wrong with messages on giving or fundraising for worthwhile ministry projects. The danger comes when giving is portrayed and communicated as a duty we Christians have to perform instead of a loving response to a God who’s been extravagantly generous to us.
Read MoreI've been fascinated by the many new and creative ways people are making a living these days. By using platforms like Etsy, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube, to name just a few, many people are ditching the 9-5, climbing the corporate ladder, way of making a living. These solopreneurs, mostly the younger generation, are seeking something that the standard career paths cannot provide.
Read MoreThe other day my wife Natalie and I were casually talking about where we are regarding our retirement plans. After about 30 minutes of looking and talking through the different income sources we expect to be drawing from, an uneasy, perhaps even fearful mood gripped both of us. For a brief period of time, filled with worry about the future, we lost focus of who we are and what we've been called to be, faithful followers of Christ, seeking God's will and not our own.
Read MoreWhile our bread and butter work is helping Christians invest well, we regularly focus our attention on giving and generosity. As we've often said, we want people to have more so they can give more!
Read MoreWhen it comes to giving, a minority of churchgoers are still financially supporting a majority of church ministry. Usually less than 20 percent of churchgoers contribute regularly to their church. This is discouraging, first, because of the lack of resources for the church. Second, because of what it reveals; a lack of trust in God concerning money.
Read MoreBuilding a generous church is hard. It may even feel impossible at times. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In just a few short weeks, the CSN Team is heading to Augusta, Georgia to attend Give Conference!
Read MoreThe late Larry Burkett used to say, "Show me your checkbook, and I'll tell you what you care about most." What we spend money on is revealing. As it relates to money, it's not what you say that matters most, but what you do.
Read MoreIt’s a common feeling for many believers to feel “called” to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s as if God is constantly looking for donors to fund his mission; he’s got a goal set and those buckets keep sloshing around dimes and nickels. Pair that with the trend in many churches to do capital campaigns where Pastors reveal a “number” God gave them, and if we’re not careful, it can feel like we’re doing God a favor by giving generously.
Read MoreThe other day I was browsing Instagram when I saw a post from a page geared towards ministering to women. I’ve seen their posts many times before, and intrigued, wandered over to their website. I found a series of devotionals, and one of them piqued my interest.
Read MoreIn a previous article, we’ve talked about how the Church is missing out on the greatest transfer of wealth that we have ever seen. I recently came across pretty disturbing statistics about giving in the church, specifically with the younger generation.
Read MoreWe’ve all heard about extravagant acts of generosity. Some are quite incredible, which makes me wonder whether these people are uniquely gifted or just plain crazy? Come on, I know I’m not the only one who’s thought this! So, what does real generosity look like? How much do I have to give, and how will I know when I’m really generous?
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