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…

Paying the Pastor: How to Figure Out Compensation for Clergy

Posted on October 24, 2019
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As the Evergreen Project continues to create, collect, and curate the best resources for a thriving church, the issue of clergy compensation is unavoidable. About a year ago, I wrote an article about this topic as part of a series on Awkward Church Questions. That means it is time to look at this issue again…

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…

Does Anyone Know Where Amanda Is?

Posted on October 13, 2018
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The images are stark and scary, like something from an apocalyptic movie.  Devastation. Hurricane Michael has cost so many people so much: the loss of human life, material property, businesses, family homes, rentals, and even entire communities.  We must surely pray for them. But we can do more than prayer. We can help them recover.  Through…

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…