As we near the end of 2021, members of your congregations are thinking about making charitable gifts to their churches and other charitable causes. While tax deductions are not the primary reason that people of faith give, it is a factor that most people do consider. We want to share two ways that members of … Continue reading
We all know that people learn in different ways. For instance, if a person wants to develop a hobby, there are generally numerous ways to pursue this new interest. Some folks pick up a book and learn through reading. Other people immediately look for videos online that teach the same techniques in a more visually … Continue reading
The end of summer vacation and beginning of a new school year signals the start of the annual budget process for many churches. As we enter this season, let me mention five very practical things for your church to consider in conjunction with your budget planning this year. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but, … Continue reading
By Christian McIvor A few weeks ago, my wife, our two daughters (ages 5 and 1-1/2), and I were fortunate to be able to spend a very long Thanksgiving weekend together in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Our trip gave us some much-needed time intentionally spent together as a family. My wife … Continue reading
The following post is from Tony Lankford, pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. Park Avenue is a CBF-partner church, and a ministry partner with Trey and Jen Lyon, CBF field personnel. You can read more about Trey and Jen’s ministry in this month’s edition of the fellowship! magazine. This blog is part … Continue reading
The following post comes from CBF partner church, First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. AUSTIN, TEXAS– This past Advent season, the congregation of First Baptist Church of Austin challenged themselves to “spend less, in order to give more.” In the generous spirit of a community that serves in love and compassion, First Austin members participated … Continue reading
Generosity is rising. Generosity seems new. Generosity is not stewardship. But will it be? Stewardship was a great term, concept, and doctrine in the 20th century, until of course, it came to mean church fundraising. Today, the practical definition of stewardship is giving to fund the needs of the church as an institution. Stewardship no … Continue reading
IN A SLUGGISH ECONOMY REVISITED Practical Suggestions for Funding Mission The upheaval and uncertainty and panic associated with our economy in 2008 create a question similar to ones raised in 2002 and 2003. What are we to do now that the stock market is falling, unemployment is rising, credit lines are tightening and the … Continue reading
Recently, I had a request from a pastor whose church wanted to know more about “going green.” It seems more and more churches these days are wanting to know how to be better stewards of the environment and their physical plant. I did a little research, and here’s what I came up with: o http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0123/p11s02-lire.html … Continue reading