Browsing by Rob Blezard
A Faith-Based Guide on Poverty & Hunger
Hand it to Catholic Rural Life for putting together a comprehensive study guide that explores gripping issues of economic justice from a solidly biblical point of view. The information will challenge your mind, tug at your heart and grow your faith. Great reading. (Check out the website for other good resources!) (Photo by Alex Eflon, […]
10 Steps to Financial Freedom
For too many of God’s people, financial stress comes because they’ve fallen into the bad money habits that our culture encourages. Here’s a practical Top-10 List of things you can do right now to get started on the path to financial freedom. From HomeLife, by way of Lifeway. (Photo © Nelos – Fotolia.com)
Moneyball for religion? Your Church Should Rethink Its Numbers
The book-turned-movie “Moneyball” chronicles how the Oakland A’s discovered a revolutionary way of thinking about baseball. Can there be a moneyball for religion? Congregations are often judged by their size, but what does this hide about the way we do religion? Is there a hidden way of doing things that should be measured, asks Tobin […]
Leadership in Scarcity
When I speak with mainline ministers, we wonder if our entire career has been spent in a time of institutional scarcity and decline. Clearly, leadership in a situation of abundance and growth is very different than leadership in a situation of scarcity and decrease. If there is “a time for every season under heaven,†then this is a time for “Leadership in Scarcity,†indeed. Let me try to describe some challenges and gifts and offer a few proposals. (Photo © James Steidl – Fotolia.com)
Ten Tips to Improve Your Church Budget
If the words “church budget†make you feel queasy, you’re not alone. Shrinking budgets seem to be the status quo for most churches. Although there is no easy solution to dire financial concerns, here are ten budget tips from ShareFaith Magazine. (Photo (c) Monkey Business, via Fotolia)
Philanthropy and Church Funding
In a time of great needs and limited resources, congregations are increasingly looking to outside fundingsources. A former Duke Endowment officer tells how churches can connect with the world of philanthropy. (Photo © rangizzz – Fotolia.com)
Microcosm of American Faith in a Map
When Religion News Service columnist Tobin Grant took a map of Carbondale, Ill., and plotted out the houses of worship, he gained insight into the trends of faith that shaped and are still shaping the town. What could you learn by studying a map of your community? (Photo by Mimi_K, used by Creative Commons license)
Create a Sound Congregational Budget
Creating a sound budget is the result of two ongoing disciplines: clear visioning, discernment and articulation of your congregation’s mission and ministry; and routine, year-round internal monitoring of financial results and regular reporting within the vestry and to your congregation on its financial status. This article, from the Episcopal Church Foundation, tells you how to […]
Pastor Appreciation Month: Say THANKS!
Clueless! That’s how many churches feel as they contemplate how to express gratitude to their cherished leaders for Pastor Appreciation Month each October. Here are 10 suggestions to get the creative juices flowing. Plus, a worksheet to keep them flowing. (Photo © DOC RABE Media – Fotolia.com)
Clergy Health – Our Ministry Together
We need healthy pastors to have a healthy church, but statistics show that clergy need help in this area. Designed for use by pastors and lay leadership, this three-part series seeks to illustrate some of the unique issues clergy face in maintaining and improving their physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual wellbeing. Through video and discussion guides, it encourages congregations and pastors to share a ministry of health that benefits everyone. (Photo by Dr. Abdulla Nasar, used by Creative Commons license)
