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Walk Wet and Share the Good News

Baptism of our Lord, Year A, January 8, 2017
This week’s gospel is a great springboard to remember and give thanks for your baptism, but don’t stop there! We have good news to share as we walk wet in this world. (Photo: Waiting for the Word, Creative Commons License)

The Budgeting/Happiness Connection

Budgeting may not only improve one’s financial condition but also one’s happiness. Good budgeting is also connected to smarter spending. Check out this article and see how you can adjust your spending habits to yield more satisfaction with life. (Photo: taxcredits.net, Creative Commons)

10 Essentials for an Effective Church Vision

What is church vision? Bill Hybels calls it “a picture of the future that produces passion and puts people in it.” Others say it is a picture of a preferred future. I say vision is what you see, feel, and hear on Sunday compounded over time. Here are 10 essentials, and some food for thought […]

January 2017 Stewardship ‘Toolbox’

Here is a great all-in-one resource for your congregation’s monthly stewardship communications. You’ll find short “Stewardship Snippets” tied to the RCL readings for every Sunday’s bulletin, articles for your monthly newsletter or website – ready to cut and paste, plus links to resources and more! Prepared by SOLI web editor Rob Blezard. (Photo © Les Cunliffe […]

TED Radio: Giving it Away

You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, ideas. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are “giving it away” in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return. Their insights into a new world of giving offer important lessons for church leaders. Check out especially Dan Pallotta’s segment. (Photo: Stephen Dann, Creative Commons)

Disposing of Waste Responsibly

4.4 pounds of trash per day? Yes, that’s the amount an average person throws away. In addition to reducing that amount, disposing responsibly matters. Here are some suggestions. (Photo: Grant Hutchins, Creative Commons)

10 Children’s Books that Inspire Simplicity

In this season of gift-giving (often to excess!), why not give children on your list a book that will help inspire simplicity and teach stewardship. Here are 10 suggestions to consider. (Photo: San Jose Library, Creative Commons)

Job Description: Stewardship Leader

Does the person who heads up stewardship at your congregation have a good “job description”? Sadly, the answer at many congregations is “no,” and the poor soul who is tasked with stewardship flounders around. This article from the United Methodist Church has some great ideas. (Photo: Kandyjaxx, Creative Commons)

Tips for Increasing Year-End Giving

Giving at year-end represents an increasing portion of total giving in many churches. Recognizing the many different circumstances that may motivate people’s desire to give in December, here are some strategies to maximize giving at the end of the year.  (Photo: Grublee, Bigstockphoto.com)

Don’t be an ‘Eco-Tourist’ Church

Some churches jump on the “green” bandwagon but don’t ride it very far, says this blogger, who calls them “eco-tourist” congregations. Is your church one of them? If so, there’s plenty you can do about it. (Photo: Essentielly, Creative Commons)