When a congregation decides to close its doors, it doesn’t have to fade away. A United Methodist plan helps closing congregations enrich the continuing ministry of God by leaving a gift. The Church Legacy program is offering a graceful and a grace-full way for congregations to end their life. From Faith & Leadership. (Photo: Winston […]
If 2019 was not a good year financially for your church, you are not alone. Churches across the land are facing tough times. When church income takes a dip, it’s important to be asking the right questions in order to devise the right strategy. This article from Horizons Stewardship offers some great pointers to direct […]
You’ve probably heard talk about the importance of emotional resilience, but how about financial resilience? Managing one’s money faithfully is a profound act of stewardship. How can you help others in your faith community cultivate more resilience when it comes to money? This article offers suggestions. (Photo: Neil Cummings, Creative Commons)
It’s the season for joy and revelry for all of God’s people, but for the church accountants and treasurers it’s also the season to close out the church’s financial year. So much to do, but this handy checklist from freechurchaccounting.com can help make sure you get everything done, and done right. (Photo: Anssi Koskinen, Creative […]
As the year’s end approaches, many churches worry, “Will we end the year in the black?” Columnist Karl Vaters suggests doing this one simple thing that both expresses gratitude and lets congregants know what the church needs to avoid an unintentional short fall. It’s not too late to get thank you letters in the mail. […]
“Jesus spoke more about money than he did about sex, heaven, and hell. Money is a big deal to Jesus. There must be something really dangerous about money,” writes John Piper from desiringgod.org. Jesus’ words provide not only a warning but a path for disciples to follow to true freedom. (Photo: Andrew Magill, Creative Commons)
Breaking the taboo about money talk can be fruitful for congregations, a new study shows. The more congregations talk about money, the more likely they are to see a corresponding increase in giving, according to the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices. (Photo: Bev8200, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
The Amish are best known for their plain clothing, simple living, and lack of modern technology. They’re also likely the only financial planner you’ll ever need, says this writer, who lifts up some very basic ideas that can drastically simplify your life and help you get onto sound financial footing. (Photo: “Amish” by PilotGirl, Creative […]
Both the Old and New Testament tell us a lot about wealth and money, but Christians through the ages have found different nuances that fit their time and contexts. This article from the Church History Institute gives a nice overview of how faithful people have understood money and its role in our lives and cultures. […]
How often do you thank those who give to your church? For most congregations the answer is, “Not nearly often enough!” It’s too bad, because saying thank you is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cultivate a climate of generosity. Check out these five creative suggestions! (Photo: Marco Verch Professional Photographer and […]
