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“Giving to Religion”
Lake Institute on Faith and Giving Releases “Giving to Religion” The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy with support from Giving USA Foundation released its latest report on religious giving last...
The End of the Year
The End Is Near Yes, the end of the current fiscal year for churches is near. What are you doing to end strong? Did you plan a special offering? Have you mailed out giving statements updated through October, so that folks are reminded about where they are in...
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Then turning the mountains green with grass, feeding both cattle and crows. Psalm 147:7-9 The Message (MSG) Your...
Special Offerings
Special Offerings Thanksgiving is almost here with Advent and Christmas arriving soon. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of receiving a special offering for these days and seasons. People have a strong desire to give in November and December. The vast...
#GivingTuesday Is November 28
Giving Tuesday is a wonderful opportunity to encourage persons in your circle of influence to give to a United Methodist cause through the Advance. You do not even need to mention the Advance, but simply share the project and how to give. Giving Tuesday is a...
For All the Saints
For All the Saints Today, November 1, is All Saints Day. This is day to honor those who have gone before us in the faith. I realize that most congregations will celebrate this day Sunday, November 5. What a special time to give thanks to God for the lives of...
Holy Day Offerings
Holy Day Offerings Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas are quickly approaching. Now is the best time to think about special offerings for these days and seasons. The Sunday before Thanksgiving will be a perfect time to receive a special offering expressing...
Use the Map
Use the Map My wife and I were recently at a meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Our hotel was right across the street from the Philadelphia City Hall with a statue of William Penn on top. But without a map I did not know where city hall was in relation to the rest of...
New Christians and Money
Bill Easum’s Advice about New Christians and Money The Effective Church Group recently shared an article by Bill Easum regarding new believers and money. (www.effectivechurch.com) Easum believes that moving new Christians to generosity does not begin with...
Children and Giving
Children and Tithing A recent Leading Ideas article from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership shared about teaching children to tithe. Dan Pezet writes that giving to God is a core value of our faith. I agree with him. Giving is at the heart of who we are as...
A Word from the Executive Director
As the Mississippi Annual Conference prepares to meet at the end of the month, several of our United Methodist Churches have felt led to new expressions of our Wesleyan heritage. It is a rich heritage that proclaims a holiness of heart and life. It declares the saving...
Spiritual Gifts
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach...
Encouragement
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”- I Thessalonians 5:11 NLT The Apostle Paul shared with us that encouragement is the responsibility of every follower of Jesus. In Acts 16 and 17, we learn that Paul and his...