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I’m often asked, “When should we do our annual stewardship campaign?” Pastors and church leaders usually want to know the best time to focus on giving and generosity—September? October? January? My answer is simple: Now. Stewardship isn’t just a programmatic decision for the church. It’s a spiritual discipline, a vital part of what it means… Continue reading Teaching Stewardship as a Year-Round Discipline

An organization I’m a part of recently went through a major reorganization. To inform its members, they sent an email with all the details. Attached to the email was a map intended to provide a visual explanation of the plans. Unfortunately, the map—an old road map with lines hastily drawn in black marker—ended up being… Continue reading Say It Well: A Guide to Simple and Engaging Church Communication

When I graduated from seminary in 1997, churches were in the twilight of the paper-based era. Most congregations tracked their finances in physical ledgers, while memberships, baptisms, deaths, and departures were meticulously recorded in books that often dated back to the congregation’s founding. Some churches had begun using computers to manage basic membership information, primarily… Continue reading Good Data, Better Decisions: Unlocking Your Church’s Potential

The Church is at its best when _____________________________. How would you finish that sentence? In my early years of ministry my answer probably would have pointed to worship, financial stability, or attendance at Sunday School and small groups as the key indicator of a thriving church. However, after nearly three decades of serving in and… Continue reading The Church at its Best