Online giving spurs an upturn in a down economy
FINANCE, Giving Friday, October 1st, 2010When Fellowship of the Parks Church in Keller, TX, provided online giving to their members
Time to build? Some churches have the vision, raise the funds
Capital Campaigns, Construction, FACILITIES, FINANCE, Giving Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Is this the time for a church to be building? Jobs are being lost and families are rethinking their pledges to their church’s budget. Even as many are having difficulty with their own home mortgage much less be financing their church’s new home, one person in the building trades says the present time is “an incredible opportunity for the faith-based building sector.”
Cultivating ‘radical generosity’ in a crazy economy
Capital Campaigns, FACILITIES, FINANCE, Giving, Worship Center Monday, February 1st, 2010Nestled in South Florida’s sun-drenched Fort Lauderdale area, Church by the Glades had two problems as it headed into the year 2008. One of the challenges was the kind of issue most pastors would love to face. The other problem was much less desirable.
How one church recovered from the brink of financial disaster
FINANCE, Financial Services, Giving Friday, January 1st, 2010When Crossroads Christian Church in Corona, CA, accumulated $500,000 in debt — in addition to falling behind on their mortgage payments — financial ruin and foreclosure seemed imminent.
The altered landscape of giving has both good and bad news
FINANCE, Giving Friday, January 1st, 2010People of faith are renowned for their charitable generosity. Amidst what economists are calling the “Great Recession,” giving to religion is the one subsector of charitable giving that grew in 2008. While charitable giving as a whole decreased from 2007 to 2008 by 2 percent (-5.7 percent when adjusted for inflation) and individual giving dropped 2.7 percent (-6.3 percent when adjusted for inflation) contributions to religion increased by 5.5 percent (+1.5 percent when adjusted for inflation).
E-giving means fewer envelopes to open and less chance of fraud
FINANCE, Giving, RISK, Security, Theft/Fraud Thursday, October 1st, 2009Bad weather, vacations and illnesses can cause parishioners to miss church services during the year. While some people will make up their missed donations, many won’t. That’s where electronic giving, or e-giving, can help.
A Seattle church automates giving and achieves online community
Giving, Software, TECHNOLOGY Wednesday, July 1st, 2009Puget Sound Christian Center in the greater Seattle area has undergone significant technology updating in its 30 years in order to meet the congregation’s needs and desires to connect and communicate with one another.
THE CHURCH’S NEW NORMAL: A time to take from the offering plate according to one’s need?
FINANCE, Financial Services, Giving Wednesday, July 1st, 2009Cross Timbers Community Church decided to take some exciting steps to respond to this current economic season. A few weeks back, Senior Pastor Toby Slough told the church during our giving time that if anyone that day had a need — because being laid off or other financial challenges — that they were welcome to take out of the plate as it passed by rather than give that week.
Ten ways to secure your largest donations ever
FINANCE, Giving Friday, May 1st, 2009While capital campaigns will always generate larger gifts and pledges, here are 10 additional ideas to help you jump start some ways to get larger gifts on an ongoing basis to fulfill your church’s mission and vision for the future.
Giving trends point toward consumer oriented members
FINANCE, Giving Tuesday, July 1st, 2008“Overseas missions are often used as a reason to give to the church. However, most churches and denominations have patterns in place that keep missions a small percent of actual total spending,” says Sylvia Ronsvalle.
