1 in 5 Americans have made a charitable contribution through a website. 1 in 10 Americans have made a charitable contribution through a mobile phone text. Does your church offer electronic giving?  If not, you could be missing out… read more on why you might want to consider your e-giving options. HT:  Managing Your Church

Tim Schraeder has written a wonderful synopsis of Joel Osteen’s appearance on Oprah’s new show over the weekend.  I think it’s worth your read. Some of the more interesting things to me: On preaching prosperity: Why would people think preaching prosperity is a bad thing? I don’t know who would say that you aren’t supposed to leave your children better off than you were. Prosperity isn’t just financial… it’s abundant life… body, soul, mind, and spirit. You can’t be a blessing if you are poor, broke and depressed. If you are poor, broke, and depressed is it because you...

So… how transparent is YOUR church in the area of giving and finances? Watch this two minute video.  It may challenge you: So… how’s your church doing?          

Tithing to mainline Protestant churches as a percentage of income is at its lowest level in at least 41 years, according to a new report, and churches are keeping a greater share of those donations for their own needs. Parishioners gave about 2.38 percent of their income to their church, according to “The State of Church Giving through 2009,” a new report being released this month by Empty Tomb inc., a Christian research agency in Champaign, Ill. Just over 2 percent of income went toward congregational finances, such as operating costs and building expenses. Only 0.34 percent of parishioner income...

I’m not sure where this statement came from, but many churches have said it.  I think our church still says this regularly… but it’s something that Casey Graham says you should NOT say this weekend or ever… because it’s simply not true: If this is your first time here, we don’t want you to give. Casey says:  Let EVERYONE in attendance know that the offering is a time for people to support the mission and vision of your church. via Do NOT Say This In Church This Weekend. What do you...