Here’s a great read over at ChurchExecutive.  They asked some people involved in church finance and generosity to give some predictions on what 2013 might look like for churches. Dan Mike is Executive Vice President of Bank of the West.  Here’s what he has to say: From a financial perspective the last four years have certainly been challenging for churches. However, looking at the data gathered across our church customer base, we have noticed a slow but distinct turnaround. For example, the general tithes and offerings (T&Os) collected by our customers as reported on statements...

Many church staff can expect a modest increase in their pay next year. 74% of all churches surveyed will be giving staff at least a 1% pay increase in the next budget cycle, with 29% of churches planning to give a 3% pay increase. The majority of churches fall into one of two clusters: either those projecting a 2-3% raise or those projecting no raise at all. Planned pay cuts are rare; less than 3% of churches expect to decrease salaries in 2013. The larger the church, the more likely its staff will receive a more significant increase in pay. In addition to pay increases, more than half of churches...

Where would Americans be if churches didn’t make outreach a priority? Many would feel the pain of unmet needs for basics such as food and clothing, not to mention a slow-down in disaster recovery efforts. For many hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, it was churches that provided the first signs of relief. In fact, a new survey –Outlook for Outreach – shows that of the 58% of churches in America that provide hands-on assistance for causes throughout our country, 75% of them engage in national disaster relief efforts. To better quantify how churches engage in outreach ministries to provide...

New research from Leadership Network and Warren Bird: Although the size of the churches surveyed varied, the average growth rate for all churches combined is between 6-8% per year, based on worship attendance numbers (adults and children combined) from the past three years. The majority of churches surveyed have also seen an increase in offerings since January, 2012. This trend increases with church size. Churches of 2,000 or more have seen a significant increase, with 28% increasing in the 6-10% range Interestingly, the 80/20 “rule” applies to giving. We asked: Which answer best completes this...

Have you thought much about what you will be concentrating on in your church in 2013? Joe Buchanan gives some practical advice on how to plan our your preaching calendar for the year.  See if this is helpful: 1. Spend time fasting, praying and preparing yourself spiritually to hear from God The amount of time and the way you do this will depend on the individual.  There is no substitute, however, for getting yourself spiritually prepared to hear from God. 2.  Identify the key issues and needs facing your congregation I like to take an afternoon to simply pray through our church directory, asking God...

Want to know how you as a leader can help your church be much more generous during 2013?  Brian Dodd has some suggestions: Churches Should Tell The Compelling Stories Of Need Within Their Community Donors are now desiring to give directly to real people with real stories rather than anonymously through charities. Unite Your People Around One Cause At A Time Church leaders need to make the stories of need targeted and specific.  HopeMob.org only features one story at a time.  This prevents your generous community from being fragmented. Develop Systems Learn to leverage impulse generosity.  When...

I’ve upset a few people with my recent post here.  (Read the comments and see!). Watch this video and give me some feedback.  What do YOU think? Does she make total sense, or is she spewing a bunch of bunk? Leave your comment...

From the Orange County Register: The Rev. Robert H. Schuller filed an appeal to a judge’s ruling in a case that pits the well-known religious leader against the Crystal Cathedral Ministries he founded. Schuller and his corporation, Robert Harold Inc., filed an appeal Tuesday to Judge Robert Kwan’s ruling last month in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Schuller had originally filed claims for breach of contract, copyright infringement and intellectual-property rights. Kwan ruled, among other things, that Schuller was an employee and that under an employment contract, he was limited to one year’s...

Interesting story: An American church is promising gay men they will be cured of their homosexuality if they stroke horses. The Cowboy Church of Virginia, led by chief pastor Raymond Bell, believes homosexuality and other ‘addictions’ can be cured by Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Horse therapy, in the right hands, can be used to help overcome fears, develop communication skills, and is generally beneficial to mental health. But Bell says the horses in his church, a cowboy ranch in the south, are part of teaching men to stop being gay and encourage them to be more masculine. ‘EAP can help any...

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