June 24, 2009

More of what I heard at the SBC Convention 2009

Another day at the Convention means another round of interesting conversation wtih people in and around my booth.

1. One individual stood in front of the booth for several minutes while he read the display. After a minute or two, I asked if he had any questions. He responded, "No. Thanks. But can you tell me more about your children's offering envelopes?"
2. A kind individual approached me and said, "I understand you've written a book called Church Giving Matters. What's it about?"
3. Frustrated, one person told me they tried four yo-yos (our free give-a-way) and none of them worked. I walked over to the booth and successfully yo-yo'd each one. This person then asked, "Do you mind if I get another to see if I can find one that works?"
4. Another enthusiastic individual exclaimed, "Wow! I can't believe you're giving away free yo-yos. How much are they?"
5. One pastor declared they already purchased offering envelopes through LifeWay. I thanked him for his business. He retorted, "Why? We buy them from [competitor]."
6. "I want to reorder the same offering envelopes I used last year. Can I get them at the same price?" I inquired, "I don't know. What, specifically, did you purchase and about how much did you pay?" Without missing a beat he said, "I don't remember."
7. "What is the monthly fee for your online giving service?" I smiled and said, "No charge to churches for whom we are their primary offering envelope provider." He said, "We do purchase our offering envelopes through you. That being the case, how much does it cost per month?"

Related Post:
What I expected to hear at the SBC Convention 2009

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June 22, 2009

What I expected to hear at the SBC Convention 2009

One of the things I love about exhibiting at conventions is interacting with people. Anyone who has ever exhibited at a tradeshow has encountered personalities and conversations that are strange yet humorous. Today proved to be no different. I thought I'd share a few of the most striking statements people made to me today.

(Keep in mind that I'm standing in front of a display that that clearly displays LifeWay Envelope Service along with information about some of our most popular tools such as offering envelope mailing programs, online giving, and the Cooperative Program offering envelope series.)

1. "So, do you sell offering envelopes?"
2. "I have a question about your online giving service. How do people give online?"
3. "We buy a lot from LifeWay. I'm sure we buy from you too." I asked, "What type of offering envelopes do you use?" The individual responded, "Oh, we don't use offering envelopes."
4. "We don't use offering envelopes, but we probably should. Actually, we don't have a giving plan at all." I responded, "Would you be interested in exploring how we might be able to help?" The pastor fired back, "Not really. Thanks."
5. I was introduced by an exisiting customer to another pastor as an individual from LifeWay who helps churches establish sustainable giving models. While shaking my hand the pastor asked, "What do you do for LifeWay?"
6. "Can you tell me how much your service is?" I inquired, "Help me better understand what you're looking for." The prospect quickly responded, "I don't know. I just want to know how much it costs."
7. Just a few feet away, I watched as one individual carefully studied some of the literature at the booth. She was flipping through each page and looking up and down at the display and then the brochures. She had a puzzled look on her face, so I politely asked if she had a question I could help her answer. She said, "No. I just wanted a free yo-yo. Thanks."

I love people. Don't you?


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May 27, 2009

Stewardship in Arkansas: Help & Hope for Tough Economic Times

I noticed an update on Denny Wright's Facebook page that he was preparing a one day emphasis to encourage and empower churches to react bodly to the current economic conditions. I immediately contacted him (via Facebook, of course) to see if he'd be willing to expand on what he is doing. Below is what he shared with me.

Help & Hope for Tough Economic Times

I'm in the process of writing a new one day stewardship emphasis called "Help & Hope for Tough Economic Times." Four churches have agreed to pilot this new project. It is based on the same schedule as the very successful "How to Take the STEW out of Stewardship" which has been taught in over 300 churches. The schedule is: a large group teaching time during the Sunday School hour with adults and youth; a sermon during the morning worship hour; and a 90 minute seminar on Sunday night.

The new "Help & Hope" Sunday School hour is based on Romans 15.13. It directly addresses the fear, worry, and anger many people are experiencing. Due to job loss, injustice, and shrinking retirement accounts, the pain of unwelcome change is addressed with biblical passages that give hope in what God does when He is the priority of life.

The sermon time uses Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25 to provide wisdom for living in tough times. This "use it or lose it" sermon focuses on what people of God CAN do instead of what they have lost or can't do.

In the evening we look at insights and practical advice gathered from various Christian sources. It addresses the issues that always are critical in family finances: debt, credit cards, spending plans, saving, investing, prayer, giving, and work. It is all introduced with a short commentary on today's economy compared to the Great Depression.

Over the past 10 years "How to Take the STEW out of Stewardship" has resulted in as average increase in giving for the three months following the event of 15%. The Sunday School hour explores 10 myths the world believes about finances countered with scriptural truth. The sermon is a Malachi 3 tithing sermon. The Sunday evening time deals with getting out of debt and living frugally with a budget. The conclusion is 10 reasons to be a cheerful steward.

Denny, keep up the great work! If you are a pastor in Arkansas, you need to know Denny Wright. (Judging by the week I spent with him talking to pastors about sustainable funding, I think he knows just about everyone in the state already.)

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May 5, 2009

Sustainable Ministry PowerPoint Presentation

I've received several e-mails asking for the PowerPoint presentation I used during last week's seminar on sustainable funding. I'm also learning my way around Google Documents as a way to share, present, and collaborate on documents. I thought this might be natural opportunity to attempt to address one request and experiment with technology all at the same time.

So, here it goes.

Let me know if you have any difficulty accessing the presentation.

Also, I'd welcome any feedback or questions you might have related to the presentation itself. (Maybe one day I can learn how to merge a recorded audio version of this presentation with the slides itself...maybe.)

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May 4, 2009

A tribute to state convention stewardship leaders

Denny Wright (@dennythestewguy - for those of you who use Twitter), Stewardship Director for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, invited me to come last week and tour Arkansas. I led six two-hour seminars in five different cities.

By Friday, I had touched every corner of the state. It was an exciting week! I gained a new appreciation for every state convention staff member who carries the banner of stewardship. It is tireless work.

My days consisted of getting up early to meet the associational missionary and a few key pastors for breakfast (if not breakfast then we had lunch after a morning session), a trip to the presentation location to set up, the seminar, tear down, pack up, drive to the next location, eat with another group, and do it all over again that evening. We were in constant motion as we drove more than 500 miles last week (and that didn't include the trip from Nashville to Little Rock).

In the audience were pastors of small churches (25 members) and large churches (1,000+) members. Some pastored traditional churches and some multi-ethnic congregations. We even had church staff members from a non-Baptist church. (They had heard about the conference from some peers.) These pastors live in completely different worlds, yet they share the struggle to consistently fund their ministry budgets and accomplish the ministry God had placed on their hearts.

I can't begin to describe all the responsibilities these state stewardship directors carry on their shoulders. After all, if churches don't have money, the denomination - at least as we know it - ceases to exist. My hat is off to each and every state denominational leader (and their support staffs) who help churches answer the tough questions and navigate the uncertain waters of funding and ministry.

I know our churches are in good hands.

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April 24, 2009

State Convention sponsors sustainable funding seminars

Next week I'll be touring through the great state of Arkansas with Denny Wright, the Stewardship Director for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. We have partnered together to provide a seminar for pastors designed to help them build sustainable funding models for ministry.

Here is the schedule:

Monday, April 27

Park Hill Baptist Church
Arkadelphia
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28

State Convention Office
Little Rock
9:30 a.m. - Noon

Concord Associational Office
Fort Smith
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29

State Convention Office
Little Rock
9:30 a.m. - Noon

Thursday, April 30

Highland Drive Baptist Church
Jonesboro
9:30 a.m. - Noon

Harmony Associational Office
Pine Bluff
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

There are meals scheduled before every event intended to facilitate one on one conversation in a relaxed environment. Everyone who has registered has been given the participate in the dinner (or lunch). If you'd like to attend but haven't registered, call Cindy Smith today at 501.376.4791x 5114.

I'm looking forward to a great week. I enjoy spending time with those people God has called to lead local churches, the basic building block of our denomination and the primary unit through which God intended that Christians fulfill the Great Commission.

Note: I will be offline next week. So my next post will be May 4.


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March 24, 2009

Exciting week for LifeWay Envelope Service

This has really been an exciting week.

Last Friday I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Doyle Chauncey with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. They have designed some very innovative approaches to stewardship, particularly as it relates to new church starts. I'm grateful to Jerry Sutton (now a preaching professor at Liberty Theological Seminary) for opening the door for this conversation and look forward to the opportunities ahead.

Last Saturday, I presented at a one-day Pastor's Conference hosted by Don Campbell at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. It was a great time. My presentation centered on building sustainable funding models for ministry. After my session, several leaders expressed interest in exposing their church leaders to this message. I was very encouraged.

Today, I made a trip to Kentucky to visit with Alan Witham at the Convention office. He and I met recently at the Stewardship/Cooperative Program meeting in Nashville in February. We talked at length about what we are doing to provide churches with systematic tools that -- when used in concert -- work together to produce measurable results. Alan is building a "best practices" guide for Kentucky Baptists as it relates to stewardship and isleading his team of strategists through a comprehensive approach to stewardship and giving that will offer pastors what they need to be successful in funding the ministry God has called them to do.

More good things to come.

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March 4, 2009

Pastor's video testimony on the results of stewardship emphasis

One pastor describes the measurable impact a four week stewardship emphasis had on his church. The church was considering closing its doors, but ended up with a surplus of available funds.

Have you had a similar experience? Send me your story or video or use the "comments" option at the bottom of this post.

(Note: This video was recorded by Denny Wright, Stewardship Crusader for the Arkansas State Baptist Convention. Keep fighting the good fight and helping pastors lead their churches to fully fund the ministry God has placed on their hearts.)

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February 16, 2009

A multi-ethnic approach to stewardship

The State Convention Stewardship Directors are in town for the Winter Stewardship Development Association meeting and the Cooperative Program annual meeting. I had lunch with Frank from the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He and I talked about the challenge of providing stewardship education and tools to churches not only of various sizes but cultures.

Given the rise in the non-anglo church population in Texas, he is forced to contextualize his approach for nearly every ethnic group. There is no similarity in language and idioms even among the general Latin American population. It never occurred to me how challenging his work must be. I was impressed to hear about the sophisticated approach he has taken to addressing this issue.

He has built networks of people who help him accomplish the task of resourcing churches to be successful in the area of stewardship and giving. And when he begins a campaign or the development of a new resource, he brings in leaders from the ethnic group he is trying to reach and involves them in the entire process...from the very beginning.

I know that Texas is not the only state with this challenge. I'd like to hear more about how you are addressing this in your church or area. Is there more than one ethnicity represented in your church or local association? How do you tailor your approach to stewardship and giving to ensure you are clearly communicating across language and cultural barriers?

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January 15, 2009

Ashley Clayton reflects on SBC and overseas missions giving

(Note: Ashley Clayton is leading a stewardship revolution in the Southern Baptist Convention by equipping churches and church members to deal with debt. Read other posts related to Ashley Clayton here.)

The most recent Empty Tomb report presents exhaustive survey results from 100,000 churches, one third of all congregations in America, representing 34 denominations. The report reflects The State of Church Giving through 2006.

Southern Baptist giving ranks first in dollars...but 19th in percentage of church revenue
Southern Baptists were one of 34 denominations reporting. The total overseas missions giving, by the national offices for all denominations, topped $700 million dollars. Interestingly, the SBC overseas missions giving made up more than one third of total dollars given by all denominations reporting. The SBC gave $270 million dollars to overseas missions through Lottie Moon Christmas offerings and Cooperative Program (www.sbc.net) contributions.

No doubt, the dollars given to overseas missions by the SBC clearly are significant, but when you look at the overseas missions dollars as a percentage of total church revenue, the SBC is in the bottom half of all denominations surveyed. The Empty Tomb tables show Southern Baptists gave 2.4% of total church revenue, which topped more than $11 billion dollars, to overseas missions. This ranks the SBC 19th out of 34 denominations reporting in percentage of total church revenue given to overseas missions.

There's more to this story for Southern Baptists
What the Empty Tomb report does not reflect are dollars given directly to overseas missions by individual congregations. Many SBC churches implement missions projects that are participant funded ventures, paid for by church members going "on mission" building churches, providing medical and technical services and etc. The Empty Tomb report does not include the missions dollars which are part of the ongoing church budget, dollars dedicated to missions apart from Lottie Moon and CP giving.

The Good News
Southern Baptist churches uniformly support overseas missions, as well as state and national missions, through Cooperative Program (CP) contributions. Church CP contributions, processed through state conventions, where on average 60% of the CP dollars remain in the state, exceeded $500 million for 2007 -'08. That means upwards of $210 million dollars reached the SBC Executive Committee, where using a funding formula approved by the convention at large, 50% of every dollar was given to the International Mission Board. The remaining CP dollars at the national level, again directed by the approved funding formula, support six SBC seminaries, ERLC, NAMB and the Executive Committee ministry assignments, including It's A New Day For Financial Freedom, CP Development, Baptist Press, Convention Relations and the Executive Committee.

When I step back and consider the good work that we as Southern Baptists are doing (even if there is room to do more), I'm overwhelmed and grateful for the faithful giving of our people and the generosity our churches.

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December 16, 2008

LifeWay envelopes reinforce 'Every Number Has a Story'

News story posted today on LifeWay.com features our partnership with the Executive Committee of the SBC to demonstrate to the person in the pew the quantitative ministry impact of the Cooperative Program.

Read LifeWay offering envelopes reinforce 'Every Number Has a Story'.

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November 10, 2008

LifeWay Envelope Service at South Carolina Baptist Convention

I'm exhibiting at the South Carolina Baptist Convention for the next few days. Gary Anderson (the State Executive for Stewardship) asked me to come and be present to talk to pastors about our new Cooperative Program Offering Envelope Series.

So if you're attending also, stop by booth #82 and say "Hi!"

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November 4, 2008

Empty Tomb report on giving troubling for Southern Baptists

What we do is more important than we say.

So what are we "telling" the world through our church giving behavior.

Read Report calls US church giving 'lukewarm'.

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October 27, 2008

LifeWay Envelope Service at Missouri Baptist Convention

I'm exhibiting at the Missouri Baptist Convention for the next few days, but you won't find me in my own booth. I'm actually in the Cooperative Program/Stewardship booth for Missouri. Spencer (the State Executive for Stewardship) asked me to come and be present in his booth to talk to pastors about our new Cooperative Program Offering Envelope Series.

So if you're attending also, stop by booth #43 and say "Hi!"

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September 10, 2007

Stewardship Resurgence in Louisana

Michael Stewart is the Stewardship/Cooperative Program Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Before coming to his current position, he pastored churches in Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. He is a graduate of NOBTS. He and his wife Joanna have two children, Joshua and Meredith. Josh is a senior at McNeese State University and Meredith is a Junior at Mississippi State University.

Here's what's happening in the State of Louisana when it comes to stewardship and ministry:

During the first two weeks of August, two teams traveled to 11 locations across Louisiana presenting "A Season for Stewardship" conferences.

During the general session, we showed the "It's A New Day" videos and introduced our state Crown reps. At the break, the Crown rep handed each pastor the 4-week DVD kit personally. Our reps were elated to introduce Crown Financial Ministries to our 110 of our churches.

In the church treasure/finance committee break out session we provided a tax seminar with information about salaries, maximizing benefits, and correct reporting procedures with scheduled time for Q/A. Further, our pastors received detailed information on how to have an annual, effective stewardship emphasis with a prove the tithe day campaign.

Their bags were full of other stewardship resources from SBC, LBC, Crown, and SDA. They also had a scheduled time for Q/A.

The conferences were well received! A number of DOM's participated and have already scheduled events for 2008.

I am grateful God has allowed me to be a part of a "stewardship resurgence" in our convention.

The Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge...?"
Luke 12:42a (HCSB)

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September 4, 2007

Ashley Clayton on Stewardship and the SBC, Part 1

Ashley Clayton serves on the staff of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention as Associate Vice President for Stewardship. Ashley has been a practitioner in local churches for many years and brings experience, knowledge, and a broad network of relationships to the Executive Committee. Since his role is vital to the continued viability of stewardship and giving within denominational life and ultimately local church ministry, we sat down together to talk about ministry and stewardship.

1. Explain the events that led up to your current role within the Executive Committee.
At the national Convention in Greensboro, NC in 2006 there was a vote to move the stewardship assignment back to the Executive Committee. At that point, my position was created. For years stewardship efforts in state conventions were facilitated and championed by the Stewardship Commission and housed in the national office. But the Commission no longer exists.

2. What was the Stewardship Commission?
The Stewardship Commission was designed to support each State Convention’s efforts at the national level regarding stewardship and giving by providing resources and training opportunities for state conventions and churches. However, the Commission was dissolved in the "Covenant For A New Century" restructuring in 1997.

3. What happened between the time the Commission was disbanded and now?
During that time, the State Convention Stewardship Directors, who had already banded together as the Stewardship Development Association (SDA) for fellowship and support, began to produce their own stewardship resources to be used in their state efforts just as the Stewardship Commission had done for them in the past. But as hard as they tried to fill the void, they simply could not replace the Stewardship Commission.

4. So what you’re saying is that a need emerged for representation of stewardship and giving at the national level again. Is this correct?
Exactly. The move in Greensboro was a direct response to the requests and needs of churches and State Conventions to once again find leadership and support at the national level. My office exists to come alongside state conventions and local churches, bringing leadership, awareness and resources.

5. This is your first denominational position, correct?
Yes. I have been a practioner serving on church staff my entire ministry. I’m a Christian Educator at heart, having served as Minister of Education at FBC Hobbs, NM, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Enid, OK, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, FBC Snellville, GA and Two Rivers Baptist Church, Nashville, TN.

Here’s a Little known fact: I actually left Two Rivers to go to the North American Mission Board to lead "Strategic Impact Cities", which is part of the Strategic Initiatives area. After seven months, Sharon [Ashley’s wife] and I were preparing to move from Nashville to Atlanta, when the landscape began to change dramatically at NAMB.

At the same time Morris Chapman extended an invitation for me to join the Executive Committee and give leadership to the newly formed stewardship initiative. So, Sharon and I prayed about it and made the decision to leave NAMB, accept the position and remain in Nashville.

Unfortunately, we had purchased a house in Atlanta in preparation for the move; it remains on the market as we speak!

6. Can you tell me more about your background and the experiences that led up to your current position?
As I said, my background is in church work. I have been fortunate to work at great churches and with great church leaders not the least of which include Dr. Hayes Wicker, Dr. Gary Smith, Dr. Adrian Rogers, Dr. James Merritt and Dr. Jerry Sutton. I'm a big fan of the local church. While I've made it my business to stay ahead of the curve in church growth and leadership issues, this new stewardship initiative might end up being my most legitimate work!

7. What have you learned during your first 18 months of service in this new role?
That’s a tough one. I think the one thing that jumps out at me is how isolated our state convention staff feel. Here are people who are passionate about stewardship and helping churches teach a Biblical perspective on giving.

They get in their cars and drive 25 - 35 thousand miles every year to call upon churches in their state with a message of stewardship. They deserve affirmation from the Executive Committee and the denomination as a whole. Their role is absolutely essential and vital to local church ministry.

Think about it, the bottom line is...no money...no ministry!

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July 25, 2007

SBCOutpost mentions this blog

SBCOutpost mentions this blog in a post today.

(P.S. Thanks guys!)

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SBCOutpost wins recognition and approval

SBCOutpost has been redesigned as a collaborative blog on Southern Baptist news and commentary. It's now been endorsed by such leaders as Morris Chapman, Thom Rainer, Jerry Rankin, and David Dockery. This is yet another example of how social media is influencing our denomination. It's also inspirational to think about how this blog may influence church leaders and pastors in the areas of stewardship and giving.

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July 24, 2007

SBC Special Emphasis Days

For easy reference, click here for an electronic version of the annual wall calendar outlining all SBC special emphasis days by month through 2012.

If you want to order paper copies, call 1.800.722.9407 or e-mail your request.

(FYI...The paper wall calendars are FREE!!!)

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