June 19, 2009
This has absolutely nothing to do with stewardship
Just wanted to share a great story of persistence, prayer, and God's blessing.
Sangl family, we are praying for and celebrating with you!
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May 20, 2009
Pastor tells church members to take the money
Pastor Toby Slough led Cross Timbers Community Church to give away more than $500,000 through the practicing of a reverse collection plate that he said is important to teach people to be good givers. Pastor Slough believes that before anyone can be a good giver, they have to learn to be a good receiver.
So has the church ever run out of money on a Sunday morning? No.
This is something worth talking about and a church, honestly, I would visit simply because of their practice of generosity. Not because I want the money. Rather, I'm inspired that this church encourages behavior that matches what we read about money in the Bible.
What can your church do this Sunday to inspire a climate of generosity within your membership? Casey Graham with The Change Group says, "The cure for fear of economic disaster is to give, give, and then give some more."
The church should be leading the way in generostiy. The world is watching.
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May 19, 2009
4 new Delicious articles about church giving
I want to take the opportunity to remind you about the Do More Ministry Del.icio.us page that is a collection of articles and videos related to stewardship and giving. Almost every link I use in a blog post can be found on this page along with a few extra. Let me encourage you to bookmark this page and visit it regularly as you look for information about church giving.
Here are four articles I added today that you don't want to miss:
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May 12, 2009
Church giving back 100% of Donations to Struggling Families
This church is changing the rules...and changing lives in the process.
Thanks to Hand to the Plough for highlighting this compelling story of ministry and money.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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May 11, 2009
NCF gives away its two BILLIONTH dollar
Congrats to Patrick Johnson and everyone at The National Christian Foundation! It's good to see examples of Christians leading the way in generosity.
You guys are doing a great job!
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ATLANTA, Ga., May 6, 2009--The National Christian Foundation (NCF) reached a major milestone in giving with the distribution of its two billionth grant dollar since 1982. This record illustrates the exponential growth of the non-profit as it took almost 25 years to reach their first $1 billion grant mark, while the $2 billion grant milestone came in just over three years.
NCF President, David Wills said, "We attribute this growth to God at work in and through believers as they seek to be wise and faithful stewards, even in these difficult economic times. Additionally, our expanding network of over 37 Affiliates around the country has allowed us to work more closely with those whom we are privileged to serve."
Currently, NCF and its 37 Local Christian Foundation Affiliates are ranked as the nation's
22nd largest charity.(1) Givers make contributions to their donor-advised funds at NCF and then recommend grants to organizations that are making a difference here and around the world.
The $1.5 million grant that made this milestone possible was recommended by "The Green Fund," a donor-advised fund of Hobby Lobby, one of America's fastest growing arts and crafts retail chains. Their grant will go to OneHope (www.onehope.net), a ministry that brings the Bible to children around the world through publications and film.
David Green, C.E.O. of Hobby Lobby says, "At a time when our nation's charities need help like never before, we are delighted to be a part of this new milestone in the history of American giving. With the help of NCF and their Kansas City Affiliate [The Servant Christian Community Foundation], Hobby Lobby is able to give more to the causes that are closest to our hearts, such as needy children."
For more information on The National Christian Foundation and Affiliates, visit www.nationalchristian.com or call 800.681.6223.
(1) 2008, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Non-Profits Ranked by Revenue
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April 23, 2009
One church choses hope in the midst of economic despair
This recession has been a nightmare for some churches.
USA Today reports church giving in America dropped somewhere between $3 billion and $5 billion last year. Another report said as many as 20 percent of all churches have cut staffs.
It was no different for Cape Christian Fellowship according to Pastor Gingerich.
The giving increased each of those 20 years, overflowing in the past five years of that run to the tune of a spectacular 23 percent increase each year.
Then, the recession.
But this church's reaction to the economic climate was different; they chose to trust in God. They made some hard decisions: cutting staff, pastor took a voluntary 30% cut in pay, etc. Perhaps the most visible was the looming discussion about their new building project: would they continue to move forward and build or put it on hold?
After weighing their options and a good bit of due dilligence, the church decided that moving forward with their building project would not only stimulate the economy in their community but would be a sign of hope.
"We ought to be the people who bring hope to the world. If we can do that by putting up this building, well, wow! What a statement that makes."
What an unusual (and refreshing) response: hope in the midst of despair!
Pastor, are you hopeful or doubtful that God will continue to be faithful to you and the ministry of your church in spite of the current economic circumstances?
Your people will mirror your response.
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April 17, 2009
Church makes compelling stewardship appeal via e-mail
I subscribe to e-mail blasts from many different churches. It helps me stay in touch with what's happening in local churches.
I received this particular e-mail recently from a church who I've worked with personally. They have been incredibly successful at funding their budget year after year. Judging by this letter, you can see why.
I thought I'd share it with you. I've removed any specific names because I think other churches could use this as a template to do something similar. Traditional nonprofits are consistently making these types of appeals. It's time the church did too. AThose churches who are sending these types of appeals are seeing very positive results.
[My wife and I] are in the throws of refinancing our house. I genuinely hate dealing with money stuff. Yes, I know, we don't say "hate," but there's just no other four letter word I can use. Some folks can sketch an idea on a dirty napkin and turn it into a small fortune. I can take a small fortune and turn it into car repairs. But love 'em or hate 'em, money issues are a big part of life.
We've all heard how the Bible talks about money more than heaven or hell and that the issue isn't personal poverty or wealth but stewardship. Our volunteer leaders and staff are working so hard to be the best stewards we can possibly be of all the resources freely given to Kingdom work at [this church]. So many people sacrifice so much to support the work of this church family and for that we who serve here are eternally grateful.
During this down turn, or crisis, or recession or depression or whatever the media is calling it this week, the staff and volunteer leaders on the stewardship and personnel committees have identified numerous ways to save in programming and personnel dollars. Savings in programming include decreases in Sunday School literature, childcare support, seminars, conferences, camps, volunteer leadership training and appreciation events. We've cut events such as mission trips in high school, staff training in preschool, and dozens of other needed programming investments in every ministry area between and beyond.
In personnel, we've worked with extra care to find ways to save money without deleting positions. That's been a challenge for us - as it has been for so many of you. In support of the effort our staff has forgone raises, a long standing Christmas gift, and contributions to retirement. We've instituted a hiring freeze and are dividing time between ministries to get the job done. Some people think we have too much staff. If [this church] were the little church they grew up in years ago they would be so right. But it takes a lot of hard working dedicated people to lead a small city like [this church] on a mission to change the world. We are blessed with an amazing group of selfless servant-leaders.
Through all the challenges we've faced over the past two years, we have continued to reach people for Christ, to see growth in Sunday School and in worship, and we haven't lost one staff member to another ministry (though I know our staff is heavily "courted" by other churches).
We are so close to turning the page and beginning a new chapter in the life of our wonderful family. To those who have been so giving and faithful and supportive through the years, thank you. That's not enough to say, but it's all there is to say. Thank you.
To those who attend regularly but have yet to take even the very first step toward God's call to biblical stewardship, I do understand. Really, I do. My mortgage guy suggested I sell an organ to decrease one of our many college loans. In spite of the challenges, I have never met anyone who regrets choosing biblical stewardship over some other plan for handling God's money.
Please continue to pray for your staff and volunteer leaders as we walk through these days of deeper faith. We need you prayers and your faithful support. God is so faithful. Thank you for your faithfulness to Him and His dear Church.
See you Sunday,
Mr. Executive Pastor
What are you waiting for? Get writing!
Related Post:
Mark Beeson talks straight with Granger members about money
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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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May 6, 2008
Funding miracles through church giving
The accomplishments of Brandon Baptist Church are worth sharing. It's amazing to think about what this church has accomplished without a "real" pastor.
Enjoy!
Miracle Sunday
Brandon Baptist Church began with about 350 members who wanted to have a church that would be a conservative, traditional church whose governing authority would be vested in the congregation and put its trust in God's Holy Spirit for direction. The congregation would rule itself rather than be a church-staff-ruled body of believers. A charter was secured along with a constitution, and on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003, the church was constituted with 556 charter members. Today it has grown to over 950 members.
During the early life of this group they worshiped in a school cafeteria and used the classrooms for Sunday School. Soon they were able to build new facilities and faced a debt of about five and a half million dollars.
In four short years they were able to pay the debt down to one million dollars. At the end of 2007 they were in such good financial state that they paid $250,00.00 on the remaining debt bringing the balance to around $750,000.00. During this time they lost their pastor and associate pastor. The 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal was $30,000.00, and the church received over $32,000.00. An interim pastor was called in October 2007. He shared with the church his goal to bring the church together in unified purpose and to help them become debt free. He explained, "This church has great growth ahead of her, and when the new pastor arrives, you need to be debt free so he can help you build additional facilities for that growth."
In February the interim pastor asked the church to participate in the Chest of Joash. This financial program is based on II Chronicles 24:1-14. This is the account where King Joash asked the people to place money in the chest when they arrived to worship. He also informed the people that the chest would be left near the gate and would not be removed until they reached the goal.
A Brandon Baptist Church member skilled in woodcraft built the chest, and it was placed down front in the sanctuary. Special Chest of Joash offering envelopes were printed and distributed to the members.
The interim pastor began the promotion on February 24 and allowed four weeks of emphasis. Since the church had its birth on Easter, it was fitting for Easter to be chosen as the MIRACLE SUNDAY to begin the debt reduction offering. On Easter Sunday the congregation marched to the Chest of Joash and gave a total of about $186,000.00 cash. This was in addition to their regular tithes and offerings.
It should also be noted they did not reduce their giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering that was to be raised at the same time. That goal was set at $20,000.00, and a week later that offering reached $15,250.00. There is little doubt this congregation will soon reach that goal, also.
In addition, it should be mentioned that over these five years Brandon Baptist Church gave $516,517.13 through the Cooperative Program for world missions. They also raised $140,721.28 for International Missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. North American Missions were not forgotten because the church also gave $35,909.24 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. They also participated in the Margaret Lackey State Mission Offering giving $21,002.96, and added to that they donated $47,690.08 to the work and ministry of The Baptist Children's Village.
It also illustrates that no church has yet to reach its full giving potential. There is always room for people to give more. The problem is not they are unwilling to give and it is not that they are tired of giving but that pastors and church leaders sometimes get tired of asking. When that happens, you not only lose the blessing, but you rob your people of the blessing of giving.
This story should help all of us remember that interim periods in a church do not have to be a time when churches tread water waiting to begin anew when a new pastor arrives. The interim period can be a wonderful period of transition from one ministry to another.
One lady introduced me to some of her friends, but she could not think of the word "interim." She stumbled over a few words trying to think of the word "interim" then said, "Dr. Mixon is our preacher until we get a real one."
You can say and do a lot when you are "the preacher," but not the real one!
Dr. Jerry W. Mixon is the Director of Stewardship and Cooperative Program for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
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September 25, 2007
Stewardship and Giving Testimony
I read Ed Owens' testimony on Generous Giving this morning. Below is an excerpt. But let me encourage you to read the entire testimony.
I’m telling you this because I was by no means a giver, let alone a generous giver, before Christ came into my life. In fact, I was a taker. I took from people in relationships; I took money; I took time, and I hoarded up my talents for myself. Just ask my wife, who worked at giving to me, just to hold our marriage together.
So, in 1991 God changed me from one oriented solely toward myself to one who at least saw that I needed Him more than money. But, still, at conversion, I did not gain an immediate understanding of how I should relate to money. In the New Testament, Zacchaeus gave away half his goods when Jesus found him, and the rich young ruler failed to follow Jesus because he wouldn’t give away his great possessions. But for me, it’s taken some time to learn what to do with the resources God has given me.
Read his entire testimony here.
I'm not sure we are prepared or can even begin to comprehend what God would be able to do if we stopped being takers and started being givers--givers of our time, talents, and money.
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July 30, 2007
Wednesday night supper
I've been to a lot of Wednesday night suppers. And most of them leave a lot to be desired. My experience has been low average attendance, ok food choices at best, and generally an activity of the church that loses money or breaks even at best. I've even attended a church that cancelled Wednesday night suppers due to low participation.
But this one is different.
I recently started pastoring (part-time) a small church just north of town. The average Sunday Worship attendance is 100. But our average attendance on Wednesday night is about 200. The food is out of the this world good. (Or as we say in the south - "Smack your mama" good!) And at just $6 a plate for adults, this Wednesday night supper has become one of the most profitable ministries of our church.
Yes, I said profitable. In 2006, these two ladies orchestrated a series of meals that generated more than $30,000 in profit. The church took the profit and applied it directly to the building program that was in process at the time to pay down on the mortgage. (Keep in mind this is before the loan had closed.)
And we're on track to generate even more in 2007.
Further, it has become one of the most successful outreach programs our church has in place. Every week almost 100 people come who don't attend our church. And yesterday another young family joined after being introduced to our church through our Wednesday night suppers.
Not bad for a former legal secretary and a retired advertising executive.
Just wanted to brag on two of my church members who "get" that stewardship is about doing something with the opportunity and talent God has given you.
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July 16, 2007
Success stories needed
One of the goals that I have for this blog is to be able to share success stories. Let's talk about what worked. This is always furtile ground for new ideas that pastors and church leaders can use.
So, have you experienced success in the area of stewardship and giving in your church? What did you do? What was the outcome?
(Be sure to include a way for others to contact you in case they want to ask further questions.)
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