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You Still Have Four Sundays Left in 2018
There is still time to make a financial difference in the life of the church for 2018, but it will not happen without transparency. The congregation needs to know where the church stands financially. If you are running according to plan, celebrate that with the...
People Want to Give at Christmas
Planning for Christmas Eve services is complete or underway in most churches. Please, do not forget about the offering. People come to Christmas Eve services because they feel the need to be there. They want to be touched by the message of divine love laid in a...
Giving Options
Making an IRA Rollover Gift If you are 70½ or older, you can use your individual retirement account (IRA) to support your church. Making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA will lower your income and avoid taxes, plus it can go to meet your required...
Eight Sundays
There are now only eight Sundays left in 2018. The end of the year will be bring a close to giving for 2018. Where does you congregation stand right now compared to the last two to three years? Are you ready to end the year with no problems? Or are you in a panic...
For All the Saints
Today is All Hallows’ Eve, and tomorrow is All Saints Day. Some of you may have celebrated last Sunday as All Saints, while others may be focusing on the first Sunday of November. I believe that it is an important day in the life of the church. It is a time to...
Crafting Your Giving Message
Television commercials have grown shorter over the past decades. 60 seconds spots were the norm well into the late 1990’s, but now 60 second spots account for only 5% of all advertising on television. That is a drastic shift in time and attention. The 30 second spot...
Two Months Left
The last two months of the year are critical for most churches in the area of generosity. Many people wait to the end of the year to make a decision about giving financially to the church. And many more are moved to give to all kinds of causes because of the feelings...
The Deadline Is Fast Approaching for the Foundation’s Communications Workshop
I am excited to have Scott Vaughan back with us again this year for our communications workshop Tuesday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. The workshop title is “Social Communications for Today’s Church.” Reviews of last year’s event were stellar, so we moved the venue to St....
Observations Along the Way
40 plus years of ministry in local churches, the district and as the executive director of the Foundation have taught me a few things. The first is that if the pastor avoids talking about money and giving in a church, the congregation will also avoid the subject. ...
Sit Back and Relax
If your church income is above your budget needs as of August 31. If you have increased your budget every year in order to keep up with inflation. Your budget in 2018 needs to have grown at least 17% above your 2008 budget just to keep up with inflation. If you have...
MFM Takes a Day for Learning
“For the best return on your money, pour your purse into your head.” • Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was on the right track with the above quote. The Board of the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi takes their responsiblilty and commitment to our Foundation...
When Less Is More
“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the...
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconof the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.” -Romans 16:1-2...