Fear not!
Throughout the Christmas story, angels visit people to tell them not to be afraid: God is about to do something wonderful, or has done something wonderful, or will do something wonderful if you can just believe (if you can’t you might lose your voice for a while, but) fear not! God is with you! Then […]
The Value of Our Stories
This year, the TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship) theme for Annual Giving Campaigns is More Than Enough, based on the miracle story of the feeding the 5,000 as told in Luke 9. Imagine the varied stories of those in the crowd of 5,000 people who tracked down Jesus in the countryside to hear his […]
Needs vs. Nice-to-Haves
Inevitably when preparing for a capital campaign, surveying members to determine project priorities, the distinction between Needs and Nice-to-haves comes up. I have looked at projects through this lens myself, for years, but this month I began to reconsider the nice-to-haves. After presenting a feasibility study report to the congregation, the rector and I discussed how people were […]
Leadership is Teamwork in a Capital Campaign
Leadership is Teamwork in a Capital Campaign “The ability of people to do remarkable things hinges on how well they pull together as a team. A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other.” Simon Sinek A capital campaign is major […]
Arise and Shine, Stewardship Team!
The Annual Giving Campaign is over – A new budget year has begun. What’s next in promoting gratitude, or is “stewardship” over and done? Dear God, what other ways can we reach someone sitting in a pew, To help her see that what she has Has really come from You? To help her […]
Thanksgiving, Remembrance and Giving
Each calendar year offers the church help and context for giving, with All Saints’ Day and Thanksgiving. It also coincides with the time most of us are asking people to make a financial pledge to support the annual function and mission of their church. There is an overall, spiritual message of stewardship when you look […]
Appreciating Potential
One of our favorite activities with clients is touring their buildings and grounds. As they explain original features and why additions or changes were made, we learn much about a faith community’s history and values. Sometimes these conversations also reveal regret over changed reality. Many an education wing was built post WWII, when babies were […]
Leadership and Fundraising
How YOU can model leadership in fundraising? For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiates 3:1 Lead by planning Create a compelling fundraising plan that reaches all members of the congregation Involve new faces who can bring new ideas and energy to your efforts, Try something new in […]