The Christmas Eve offering used to be so easy. It was the one day a year where the church could count on people attending church and being generous.
But in 2022, there are several factors that might change behaviors – and these factors need to be considered as we make plans.
As of last year, pastors and other employees of congregations can be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF is designed to encourage students with federal student loan debt to enter public service careers like firefighting, teaching, government, nursing, public interest law, the military – and church work! Also beginning last […]
Pastors are amazing, but they’re not immune to discouragement. The “Great Resignation” bug that has bitten millions of working adults in the US has been nibbling at pastors, too. According to a recent blog post by Carey Nieuwhof, more than 40% of clergy polled in March 2022 are thinking of hitting the ejection button. (See […]
The Missouri United Methodist Foundation (MUMF) has received a new grant of $500,000 as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. This is the third Lilly Endowment grant to MUMF since 2016, bringing the total to more than $2 million. The grants helped MUMF start and continue to […]
$1M for Missouri Clergy Support “This is truly news worth rejoicing over!… What incredible generosity and meaningful ministry you all have to celebrate there in Missouri,” shared Elise Erikson Barrett, Program Director for the Lilly Endowment, upon learning of the successful effort. The Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis is one of the few major private funders […]
There are three basics to fundraising: vision, relationship and communication. Today I’m focusing on vision because at its core, fundraising is less about money and more about vision. Ask church leaders about their most successful ministry programs, and you’ll find that very few, if any, started out with, “We have all this money. What should […]