“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 world—including possessions, strength, skill, and reputation—but rejects them as the basis of personal worth. Instead, it fixes our value in the unconditional love of Christ, our…
When Giving Keeps on Giving! Generosity Can Make a Difference for Decades
I met Herb at breakfast in 1992. He and I were newly elected members of a national board and met for the first time the day before. At breakfast the next morning, I walked right by Herb carrying my plate filled with bacon, eggs, and my morning coffee. “David, join me!” Herb called out to…
Don’t Ignore These Important Trends in Church Giving and Attendance
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 – The Joy of Giving Up. Rooted in a vision of flourishing…
Money Well Spent: Why Your Church Should Consider the Joy of Giving Up
The first sermon I ever heard on stewardship was called “The Sermon on the Amount”. It was classic. And bad! It was spoken by a young layperson who had been commissioned by the Sr. Warden to “say a few words.” It was mercifully short. It was truly apologetic, in the bad sense of the word….
How Much Should We Pay the Pastor? (Awkward Church Questions, pt. 2)
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, I’ve given…
Who Should Have Access to the Giving Records? The Senior Pastor (Awkward Church Questions, pt. 1)
They are not easy at first. They are ‘off-putting’, to use a colloquium. Or tacky. When the subjects come up, you can see everyone squirm in their seats. We wish we could just avoid them. But there are five of them that need to happen pretty routinely. What I am talking about? Awkward questions like…
4 Ways to Help 4 Different Generations Give Generously
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. You’ve got to look at the subject from 40,000 feet while keeping your boots firmly planted on the ground. In Giving Up, I’ve tried to walk this…
10 Ways to End the Year on a Generous Note at Your Church
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
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
Pastors, it’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 don’t bring it up until it’s too late. Waiting until the…
