Browsing by Rob Blezard

Love People, Not Pleasure

Sure, it’s not the first time you’ve heard the message that money, sex and power can’t make us happy, but here it comes from Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, in a New York Times op-ed piece.  Interesting reading. (Photo by Chris Lott, used by Creative Commons license)

Personal Finance Basics

From Kiplinger’s, the financial magazine, here is a page with good resources on how to get your household finances in shape. Just about every topic is covered, from getting out of debt to buying a car. (Photo by taxcredits.net, used by Creative Commons license)

Feasting on Gratitude

Perfect for your fall campaign — here’s a six-week stewardship reflection series on the Lectionary Gospel lessons, beginning Oct. 5. Feasting on Gratitude invites readers to reflect and discuss stewardship principles and practices. Designed to complement and support a congregation’s annual giving campaign, Written for Lectionary Year A in 2011, the series is timely again in 2014. (Photo by JustCookNYC, used by Creative Commons license)

FAQ about Capital Campaigns

So your finance committee suggests a capital campaign and you want to make sure everybody is on the same page on what that’s all about? This FAQ from the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. (Photo by Stephen Yeargin, used by Creative Commons license)

Efficiency Saves Energy and Money

By spend$16,000 on energy efficiency, First Unitarian Church in Minneapolis saved $17,000 in just the first year! How much money could your congregation divert from utility costs to mission! First Unitarian shares its story in this article, which includes links to resources. (Photo by TheLatin10 via Bigstockphoto.com)

Mission, Gratitude are Keys to Giving

Struggling to provide good ministry with declining resources, many congregational leaders want to know what it takes to boost donations. There is no magic formula, but generally speaking worshipers want to feel their contributions are making a difference. Members give most generously when they feel connected to their church, are grateful for its role in their lives and confident it is contributing to God’s work.

‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ of Benevolence Programs

Churches often maintain benevolence funds to assist needy individuals in times of financial crisis. However, these churches may not have enough structure in place to provide essential direction and documentation. Here, from ChurchExecutive.com, are some helpful dos and don’ts.

Bishops Support Carbon Limits

The presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church called a proposed federal rule on carbon emissions a “critical step toward safeguarding the lives and livelihood of future generations.”  From ELCA News. (Photo © Jan Will – Fotolia.com)

Preaching on Money

Most pastors would rather preach on almost anything other than finances and stewardship. But as the preaching pastor, you are the chief development officer for your church. This is part of the job. From Ministry Matters. (Photo by Fallonyates, used by Creative Commons license)

Church Finances: Three Questions

When it comes to financial administration, churches generally struggle with the same few issues, over and over again. They play out in different ways, but they concern compensation, reimbursements, and restricted giving practices. FromChurchLawandTax.com. (Photo (c) Monkey Business, via Fotolia)