Hands hold cross. For "My Worth."

Hymn Guide: My Worth is Not in What I Own

Posted on April 3, 2025
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“My Worth is Not in What I Own” is a contemporary hymn about the surpassing worth of Christ and his cross. It references the many good things of this worldโ€”including possessions, strength, skill, and reputationโ€”but rejects them as the basis of personal worth. Instead, it fixes our value in the unconditional love of Christ, our…

Don’t Ignore These Important Trends in Church Giving and Attendance

Posted on September 12, 2019
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Recently, I presented a webinar on general trends in attendance and generosity across the United States and Canada for clergy and vestry / lay leadership. The webinar was part of the ongoing training related to the The Evergreen Project and our Fall Program โ€“ The Joy of Giving Up. Rooted in a vision of flourishing…

How Much Should We Pay the Pastor? (Awkward Church Questions, pt. 2)

Posted on November 13, 2018
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These are the awkward questions during any board or Vestry meeting. You can feel a quiet come over the room. Everyone is hoping the subject will pass. But there are five awkward questions that your church needs to be able to discuss. Previously, we tackled the question of access to giving records. Hopefully, Iโ€™ve given…

4 Ways to Help 4 Different Generations Give Generously

Posted on October 17, 2018
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Talking about generosity in the church is always a balancing act between faithful theological and pastoral instruction on the one hand and practical, applied communication on the other. Youโ€™ve got to look at the subject from 40,000 feet while keeping your boots firmly planted on the ground. In Giving Up, Iโ€™ve tried to walk this…

10 Ways to End the Year on a Generous Note at Your Church

Posted on October 15, 2018
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On this blog, I try to provide tactical advice on growing generosity in the church. Every church leader knows that giving is especially vital as the year winds to a close. (To learn 3 things from your yearly church budget shortfall, click here.) The end may be nigh upon us, but there is no need…

Three Thoughts About That Church Budget Shortfall

Posted on October 10, 2018
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I regularly visit churches around the country and about this time of year, a new, semi-liturgical ceremony begins around the church budget. (I participated in it myself during my three decades in ministry. It became something totally normal for me; it’s only now that I’m in the pews most Sundays that I’ve realized how odd this…

Build Your Generosity and Stewardship Emphasis This Fall

Posted on September 6, 2018
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Pastors, itโ€™s not too late to plan an emphasis on stewardship and generosity this fall. But it is almost too late. Leading a church in this area takes intentionality and courage. Some pastors have such an allergy to the topic of giving that they donโ€™t bring it up until itโ€™s too late. Waiting until the…