We have noticed a shift in mindset early in the Lenten season in how many are choosing to sacrifice. Rather than quitting chocolate and red wine for 40 days, we’ve observed a budding trend of supporters pointing to the “noisy” political environment and tragedies of late. This year, people are deciding to turn down the […]
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By Tim Grabacki It’s not something church business managers think about a lot, but: How you count the money might be affecting the church more than you’d think. Here are three tips on how to better handle cash and checks in your collections. #1: Treat the business office like a business office The mission […]
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By Tobin Perry As we head into a new year, healthy churches will have big visions for the year ahead. You likely have ministries you want to start, new people you want to reach, and new initiatives to get off the ground. You need a healthy vision. But you need more than a strong vision […]
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Q&A: How giving consistency — across multiple campuses — drives better ministry, increased magnanimity & more efficient church management Ensuring that multiple campuses feel unified — and keeping the messaging surrounding giving and generosity challenges consistent — seem like challenges most multisite churches would face. Is that accurate? Matthews: Yes, and these are important and […]
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By Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter, CFP® Making the decision to meet with a financial planner or advisor can help you focus on putting your own financial house in order and is an important step towards achieving financial wellness. A financial planner can work with you to help determine your long and short term goals […]
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By Michael Prior, J.D. In recent years, the church has embraced several budgeting and debt retirement studies. Essentially, good stewardship practices tell us not spend more than we make. Debt is a problem we can see right now. And with a little guidance and discipline, we can be liberated from it. The problems we face […]
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Several years ago, the pastor at a church I worked with told the story of an affluent family in a nearby church giving two significant gifts in the same year — both of which made the local newspaper. The first gift was to the church where several generations of the family regularly attended. The second […]
Read More >The need to manage cash is a good “problem” to have … but what should your church do with it? John Regan, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer at New York-based Permanens Capital, talks about playing it safe, while earning some modest return. How big of a priority and a problem is cash management in […]
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By Darren Thompson & Richard Koon In our previous two articles, we worked closely with Bo Gutzwiller from Foothill Christian School in Glendora, Calif., to discuss some of the things churches should be aware of before starting a Christian school. During our discussions, it became apparent that starting a school can be challenging — but […]
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By Don McLeod, CFP® During the first two years of your ministry, you will make the decision of a lifetime — whether or not to opt out of Social Security. This is a hot topic in ministry circles today, and everyone has a personal opinion on the matter. But what does it really mean to […]
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