in Vital Posts and filtered by Planned Giving, Conflict, Discernment + 3 other(s)
By Sarah Townsend Leach
Sarah Leach contributes our latest blog. She wants the Episcopal Church to use the word “stewardship” the way the rest of the non-profit world uses it, not just to mean the solicitation of funds.
By Linda Buskirk
St. John’s of Grand Haven MI uses a personal approach to stewardship that has proved very effective and pleasant for its practitioners. Starting in the spring and continuing throughout the entire year, stewardship team members reach out individually to parishioners on their lists through personal notes. Giving to St. John’s has increased about 25% over the past five years.
By Linda Buskirk
Many faith communities are about to launch annual giving campaigns. Linda Buskirk suggests that thinking of the annual campaign as an invitation rather than an “ask” changes the dynamic and will help more people give.
By Ken Quigley
Most people die without a written will. Which leaves their families at the mercy of the state, which will distribute assets after death. The state will pay the lawyers first, then any taxes or creditors and finally family. If you don’t have a will, make one.
By Jim Murphy
In this blog, Jim Murphy explores the concept of congregation as family. “When someone makes a planned gift of any kind to their parish, that person raises their congregation to the level of family in their estate plans.”
By Jerry Campbell
Jerry Campbell writes about St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and how it will be able to open a new parish center. St. Mark’s story is comprised of four pieces, with the capital campaign facilitated by ECF being the final piece of the puzzle.
By Hilary Bogert-Winkler
Hilary Bogert-Winkler argues that millennials as a group have a particular relationship with authenticity. The churches she’s seen that are thriving and that have a healthy number of millennials and their families are churches that have a firm sense of who they are.
By Linda Buskirk
Are you wishing for better results for your congregation’s annual stewardship campaigns? Perhaps it’s time to add intentional planning, starting right now, to make your wish come true.
By Charles Fisher
A great way to deal with anxiety is to bring it into the open - expect anxiety, and ensure concerns and ideas continue to be heard.
By Linda Buskirk
I have learned that the time spent in congregational discernment - reflecting on our questions in light of scripture, prayer, and the counsel of others - is incredibly valuable to the final success of whatever it is we are questioning, including a capital campaign.