Do you “feel” more confident today about the future or not? Wait, let me see what the Stock Market is doing. Ok, it’s slightly up but not by much, so I feel cautiously optimistic. No, wait its starting to go down and Warren Buffett says we need a second stimulus bill. So, now I am depressed and putting the building plans for our churches expansion back in the closet. A friend just called who talked to a friend who knows an economist who said this recession is only going to get worse. Now that I think about it on my lunch hour I heard a talk show guy say that we are in for much, much worse. So I locked the closet door with those plans so no one can dare pull them out now. It is just too dangerous out there.

If you think that is over blown it is not. I hear that same kind of talk day in and day out. Our problem is we can not hear for all the noise around us. For Christian leaders the even sadder truth is too many are listening to what Glenn Beck says and not what the Holy Spirit says!

We have lost our perspective and there are too few who are providing positive leadership. So, amidst all the other stuff you are hearing let me put in my two cents.

Some Realities to consider:

It is a bad recession. I am feeling it, members of my family are feeling it, American feels it. There is no sugar coating what we are experiencing. Yet at the end of the day people still go to movies, buy Big Macs, drive automobiles, eat too much and enjoy life unparalleled by any other society in the history of the world. Yet we are experiencing challenges and I do not want to minimize that in the slightest. However…

This is a recession not a depression! Don’t be fooled by the alarmists who are either trying to bolster their ratings or get their government approved project passed. We are not on the verge of collapse. The free market economy will function if we let it.

Recessions don’t end on a dime. I have repeatedly stated that recessions occur region by region and sector by sector. We did not get into this recession over night and we will not get out of it over night. Everyone wants some finish line projection but it will not happen. In fact we will not know we are “technically” out of the recession until after it is over. If you remember we were months into the recession before it was declared official.

While recessions don’t end on a dime the do end. If I could predict exactly when this recession will be over I would make a pretty dime indeed. I believe we are already starting the climb out. While that might go against some, like those that are building their hopes on short selling, the indicators are indeed all there.

Things will not be back to normal for a few months longer. What is normal? It will take some time for the shock of this recession to work its way through the American consumer. Washington and the media made the situation much worse than it could have been. Confidence was shaken and will not be easily replaced despite the recovery of the economy.

You know what? The Harry Potter movie will gross millions when it is released next week. People will buy popcorn and cokes and candy all the while complaining about the economy. Then on Sunday they will pass the plate without putting anything in because in these tough times who has money to give to the church?

Dear Christian leader, now is time to raise up like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. What plan do you have to weather this recession and move your ministry forward? Who are you listening to, the media, your friend or the Holy Spirit? Instead of basing our actions on how we “feel” why would you not find the mind of God and move forward by faith? I believe the eternal destiny of many hangs in the balance in how you answer that question.

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

PS. A site that I go to often for good economic insight is sponsored by First Trust. Bob Carey their Chief Investment Officer and Brian Wesbury also put out weekly email analysis of key market and economic trends that are very informative. I highly recommend that you spend a few minutes less in the sports page and a few more minutes understanding the times we live in!

Before you start writing off this post let me say that I love Twitter and Facebook and all the social media tools. Like many I probably spend too much time on Twitter and Facebook. At least I am not cheating my boss, I am my own boss! While I have learned some things on Twitter and made some contacts the fact remains that in terms of business it has netted me nothing. Not yet at least.

Oh, I know that there are tons of programs out there that claim you can make thousands using these tools. The real truth is that few if any are making thousands as of yet. Twitter is not at this point a viable business option. This is especially true when it comes to stewardship and donations.

My Twitter friends and those committed to social media as the next great stewardship tool are missing the point. Social media campaigns result in only small infrequent donations. Small gifts, while helpful do not carry a ministry or church budget. While small gifts do ad up in the long run the bulk of funds are still raised the old fashioned way. I know you can point to a multitude of high profile events where funds were raised by social media. Let’s explore that for a moment.

The Obama Myth Most think that the bulk of what President Obama raised in his campaign came through the Internet and small donations. While it is true that Obama did use the internet to raise considerable funds its impact was over blown. The Campaign Finance Institute found that “only 26% of his money came from donors whose total contributions aggregated to $200 or less. Obama’s 26% compares to 25% for George W. Bush in 2004, 20% for John Kerry in 2004, 21% for John McCain in 2008, 13% for Hillary Clinton in 2008, and 38% for Howard Dean in 2004.”

They further stated, “Obama received about 80% more money from large donors (cumulative contributions of at least $1,000) than from small donors. While the large donors thus were responsible for much more of Obama’s money than either his small or middle range group, he received somewhat less proportionally from large donors than did his rivals or predecessors. Forty-seven percent of Obama’s money came from large donors compared to 56% for Kerry and 60% for both Bush and McCain. However, because Obama’s 47% is based on a larger total, that means he also raised significantly more large-donor money in absolute terms than any of his rivals or predecessors.

Much of this money was raised the “old fashioned” way. Since only about 13,000 of those who started out small for Obama ended up crossing the $1,000 threshold, that means the bulk of Obama’s $213 million in large-donor contributions during the primaries came from about 85,000 people who started out giving big and stayed there.”

The Rock Star Myth Recently I read a good article about Generation Y not being selfish. Here is the essence of what the author said about how to motivate Gen Y to donate.

“Charities and nonprofits, however, must to be able to continue to reach out to these young donors to maintain their interests and expand in the future. Nonprofits have realized that the best way to reach this audience is through more interactive ways. Most nonprofits have been moving away from paper, reaching these short-attention span, tech-savvy audiences through hands-on programs and events, as well as virally.

Facebook fan pages, email blasts, postings on YouTube, and websites have made this paperless philanthropy possible. One of the newest tools to raise small donations is through text-messaging. Singer Alicia Keys raised over $40,000 during one of her recent tours, as she asked audiences to text and donate $5 each on their cell phones to the charity Keep A Child Alive. This method of donating is used now at concerts and professional sporting events all over the world.”

I confess I had to Google Alicia Keys to see who she was and she does in fact support Keep A Child Alive. However I had to wonder how many concerts she held on her recent tour and how many people in total attended those concerts? I would be interested in knowing how many attendees actually made a donation compared to how many attended? What was the revenue that she brought in through tickets sales and all other sales? How would that amount compare to the $40K that was donated? Frankly, $40K seems a fairly small amount compared to the average ticket price Gen Y’s pay to attend concerts.

My point is that making these kinds of donations might make Gen Y feel good about themselves but it hardly proves they are unselfish. In fact when you compare their giving to what they spend on CD’s, movies, Video Games, alcohol and other entertainment they don’t look all that charitable. They pretty much reflect their materialistic Baby Boomer parents. Too often we Americans talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

Examples like this and others always focus on small gifts amounting to a large amount. What they miss is that events like these are one time asks. It is easy to raise funds in such a way. The real challenge is to get donors to repeatedly give and to give larger amounts. It also misses the point that these charities required many more times that amount to fund their ministries. While these events get high profile praise in the end the represent a small portion of what they raise annually. Comparing examples like this to churches is a misnomer in that a church asks weekly not simply one time.

Here are some conclusions to consider:

Social networking will only raise a small percentage of any ministry or churches funds.

Even though small it should not be totally discounted.

To be truly effective social networking must be seen as a starting point not an end.

Social networking gives a false sense of ease at raising funds.

No new tool, no matter how clever or convenient will replace the reality that the few will give the majority.

Smart leaders will spend the bulk of their time on those that hold the most promise for funding their ministries.

The future of stewardship is in discipleship not social networking.

I know this might not be a cool hip post. Gen Y’ers will probable not like it. However my fear is that while we chase the newest technology as a potential savior to our funding woes we will expend far too much effort for far too little results. There is no easy way to raise funds. It takes hard work and dedication.

Sadly too many Christian leaders do not want to give the time and effort needed to fuel their vision. My fear is that at the end of the day instead of making disciples we have simply attracted a crowd. Guess who is the first to jump off the band wagon when times of trouble hit?

Let’s focus on what really matters!

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

Ask a pastor what his growth plan is and he will wax eloquently. Ask him about his missions plan and he can instantly tell you. Ask him what is evangelism or discipleship plan is and again he can tell you. Ask him what his plan for assuring that this recession will not hamper his giving and his response is typically much less certain. Most pastors I know are leaving this area entirely up to chance.

You can not afford to risk to chance that your offering plates will continue to be full!

What is your plan? How long has it been since you actually thought about your plan to increase or even simply sustain your giving? A well thought out plan is essential for survival during these challenging days we are in. This recession lingers on and the recovery promises to be slower than we had hoped for. Can your budget within stand a decline in giving? The time to do something is now rather than later.

My passion and calling from God is stewardship. I know that makes me seem weird to most of you guys. However just as you get jazzed about preaching next Sunday’s message or creating that perfect mission plan, I get jazzed helping churches raise funds to do all those things you dream of. I have over eleven years of experience in the stewardship field. I have worked in the largest church in America to those that are emerging. I know I can help any church or ministry including yours! The frustration I have is that so few reach out for help.

An offer you can’t refuse!

Stewardship Planning Services We can help you develop a plan that will increase your offerings for a low affordable price. We can help in assessing strengths, weaknesses and opportunities Our plan consists of the following:

Stewardship Evaluation

* Financial Analysis - We will analyze past giving to your church to determine your strengths and weaknesses. This anonymous review will enable us through our years of experience to make observations and recommendations about giving to your budget.
* Budget Review - Looking at spending patterns in an effort to help better manage the funds the church is entrusted with.

Plan of Action

* A written detailed analysis of our findings
* A proposed plan of action to stimulate current donors and develop new donors
* Help in implementing long-term programs that lead to better Christian stewards.
* Providing help with writing appeal letters on a quarterly basis. There is a reason you get appeal letters in the mail, the work! Let us help you discover how to unlock hundreds to thousands of dollars with each mailing.

In my experience one of the major factors that keeps pastors and Christian leaders from availing themselves of outside help is the fee. We have affordable pricing for every church size. It runs from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand for larger churches. The return on investment is almost immediate. We have helped hundreds of churches let us help you.

As an added incentive we are guaranteeing a full refund of your money if you are not completely satisfied with our services.

Call or email me today to find out how we can help your church not just survive through this recession but thrive! You can’t afford to leave your ministry dreams to chance. Let us help you today!

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group
Mark@TheCharisGroup.org

The Dow rose 838 points for the quarter the best quarter return since 2003. Its up 29% from its 12 year low hit on March 9th. Yet despite that the confidence and mood in the country is one of uncertainty. The last day of the quarter saw the Market decline by 82 points. The down turn that day was explained in part to the surprising news that consumer confidence had plunged after gaining ground in previous months. Daily we see the Market fluctuate from highs to lows based upon this report or the other. The word for the day is volatility. This is caused by uncertainty.

What does all this mean for you and I? What lessons can be learned that you might apply to your church or ministry or even your personal life. Here are some observations to consider:

The second half of 2009 will look a lot like the first half. We are going to see the continued slow recovery from this recession. The recovery is under way but much like our awareness that we were in a recession we will not know when we are out of recession until months after the fact. This is not what we as Americans like to hear. We like things clearly defined for us. We want there to be some bell that signals like the close of the Stock Market that the recession if finally over. There is no bell that will ring in the end of this recession. No one knows when it will officially be over. You can find any opinion about that from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic. When it comes to the economy the one thing I have learned is that even the experts don’t know.

The Stock Market will continue to be volatile but will by year’s end continue its upward movement. A week ago I shifted my 401K from a much more heavily stock mixture to bonds. I had moved from bonds back to stocks when the Market hit 6,800. Doing so allowed me to gain back much of the loses of 2008. In July of 2008 I moved out of stocks into bonds and was saved from the fall meltdown. Since moving out of predominantly stocks the Market has declined. During times of volatility I chose to be safer and more conservative with my investments. At some point I will re-balance my portfolio and move to a position with more stocks in the mix. For right now I will chose to wait out this current up and down for a more stable time. However, given time the Market will rebound and while it may be years before we see 14,000 again we will see our 401K’s regain strength. Stay in the Market for the long term but don’t foolishly keep in funds that are declining. No one but you will manage your investments.

The mood of the country will continue to be one of uncertainty. As a result of many factors, the war in Iraq, the recession, how our government has handled things, the almost daily unraveling of one politician or another, and the volatility of the Stock Market we remain wary. This has manifested itself in a lot of things from saving more, spending less and giving less. We have lost confidence and we do not have any leaders that can instill a renewed since of hope and optimism.

To me this gives we in the church a perfect opportunity to provide leadership that will give hope to Americans. Americans are looking for answers and they are quickly learning that despite the rhetoric Washington can not produce results. Churches should be on the forefront of providing practical help to people on how to weather the economic storm we are in. Churches need to be on the forefront of helping those that are impacted by this recession cope with their losses and the challenges they face. We need to be the leaders of not looking for government bail outs but teaching people how responsible living can and will produce ultimate happiness. This then will serve as our entryway towards pointing them to what really matters in life, the eternal. We know the one who truly is The way, The truth and The life, Jesus.

What is your plan? What are you planning and doing to meet this opportunity?

What messages are you preparing to point the way through this recession? Are you reading all you can to understand the times we live in? Frankly parsing the Greek will not help you now but reading the Wall Street Journal might give you some perspective. Then go parse the Greek.

What programs are you introducing to help people? Some type of debt reduction ministry should be standard at your church. Counseling for those without jobs or in major debt should be considered. Work programs, seminars on practical financial matters and others can minister to the practical needs of not only your members but the community at large. Then you will win the audience to share the Good News.

My point in this post is that we have an opportunity that I fear we are wasting. Start today, right now, thinking about how you and your ministry will seize this opportunity for Christ.

In the midst of all this volatility and uncertainty we need to pull out that old hymn that says, “My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid Rock, I stand - All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

When is the best time to have a capital stewardship campaign? How time should I give for a successful capital stewardship campaign? Is there still time to get in a fall campaign? These are two questions that we get asked a lot. The answer, as with all questions, is it depends. There are so many factors that go into a successful capital stewardship campaign that there is no easy answer. I am always careful of over generalizations. I would rather shoot straight with you and lose your business now but gain your respect later than tell you what you want to hear. Some don’t like that approach but the truth in the end is always better than telling you what you want to hear.

So, let me attempt to answer the questions.

Is there one time of year better than another to hold a capital stewardship campaign? The answer is no. There are two seasons for campaigns. Fall and Spring. Some companies might try and tell you there are more so that it looks like their consultants do not work too many campaigns. The truth is that broadly speaking there are two seasons, fall and spring.

The key for all is to complete the campaign before Thanksgiving as by then everyone is in holiday mode. You can set the time for the culmination of the campaign any where in the preceding months as long as you get it in before the holidays set in.

In the spring season you are looking to culminate either before Easter or before school gets out. Typically the dead of summer is a poor time to hold a campaign. You need to decided which time frame best fits your calendar. As I have always said, “Need trumps timing.” Sometimes you have to have the campaign when you have to have it despite what the calendar says. In the end it is not the time of year that is important as much as the clarity, conciseness and compellingness of the vision that counts.

How long should I give for a campaign to be successful? If I have the option I want more time rather than less. The ramp up to a campaign is so important. As we say, “You never have to recover from a good start.” I love it when we have six months to work on properly positioning the campaign. We can and have done it in less time but you and the staff will feel the pressure of the campaign much more so than if you gave it more time. As we say, “We would rather get it done right than on time.”

Sometimes the need for money trumps timing. Last year in July a church called and asked how quickly we could help them ramp up for a campaign? The bank was demanding that they have a capital stewardship campaign before they would talk to them about loaning them money. The church was attempting to buy property that time was of an essence on. We had to throw out the normal time frame of a campaign. Need always trumps timing. However, we would always like more time rather than less. We often hear our clients say they wished they had started sooner. It is not too early to engage a campaign partner even if you are thinking about a campaign for 2010.

Is there still time for a fall campaign? Frankly the window of opportunity is closing fast on fall campaigns. For a fall campaign you should already have your campaign partner selected and working for you. However there are some instances where even at this late date a fall campaign can be pulled off effectively. As with all questions, the answer is it depends. It depends upon your need. It depends upon how defined the vision is. It depends upon where your leaders are. It depends upon your calendar and schedule. Fall campaigns can happen even at this late date but the window is closing fast.

The bottom line is that you need to be deciding upon your campaign partner now. Every day that you delay sets you further back from realizing the dreams and visions that God has called you to fulfill. As George Allen once said, “The future is now!” Act now to assure your dreams and visions become a reality.

We can help! Contact us today.

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

Colleges and seminaries are ill equipping our future ministers for the world in which they now have to minister in. While denominations like the SBC and other mainline groups decry the departure of the next generation of pastors and leaders they need to look no further than themselves. When many are foregoing theological training for more practical degree fields we can either continue on the path we are on or we can change. The sad reality is that most of what I learned in ministry I learned on my own.

This is especially true of stewardship. I can not remember one class in either my undergraduate degree in religion or my seminary training that taught stewardship. Maybe one day was dedicated to the topic and I skipped that day. I never had to buy a book discussing stewardship strategies so I am fairly confident that the subject was seldom if ever mentioned. I took Greek, Hebrew, Church History, Theology courses, Preaching and a few practical ministry classes. In all those classes I was never taught stewardship. What I learned I learned from reading books, attending seminars and buying tape series. All that education and I was ill prepared for the ministry field I was placed in.

Today’s pastors and Christian leaders are so ill equipped in the area of stewardship. It frustrates those of us who are trying to help pastors. Few see the importance of stewardship until it is far too late. Many think it is somehow not their role or unspiritual to even delve into. Most of the pastors I know have totally abandoned the field entirely. Their strategy is hope. Hope is never a good strategy!

I blame their training for a large part of this disconnect. If we are to turn around this problem it has to start with the core curriculum in college and seminary. It needs to be a separate class not some addendum to an existing class. It needs to be required not optional for EVERY degree plan in seminary and for Religious studies in our Christian colleges.

I do not agree with those in the upcoming generation that think they do not need theological training. Too many are taking the short cut path and in the end they do themselves, their church and ultimately the Kingdom a disservice. While theological training is not required for God’s blessing it none the less has huge benefits for the minister and for the churches they serve.

Those of us as alumni of seminaries and colleges need to speak out about revising the core curriculum of our alma maters. We have to make getting that degree more attractive to this generation. One way is to actually teach things that have value and meaning for practical ministry application. I don’t know about you but my Greek New Testament has a lot of dust on it. Even if I picked it up it would be all Greek to me. However I still use books on Christian stewardship that I bought almost fifteen years ago. How much of what you learned in seminary are you actually using? How much about stewardship did you learn in seminary or college. Your answer proves my point. Thoughts?

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

PS. Ok, shameless advertising time. I have devised a seminar called, “Recession Proof Your Offerings,” taken in part from my book by the same title. In one day we can teach your association, or a group of pastors how to boost their offerings even during this time of recession. It costs little and it promises to give back much more than those that attend pay. Email me for more information at Mark@thecharisgroup.org

Pastors fight daily the tyranny of the urgent. After a successful Sunday sermon you wake up on Monday realizing that Sunday is coming and you have another sermon to prepare for. Then you have meetings, visits and everything else pressing upon you. About the last thing you think of every week is stewardship. Yet if you press that issue too far back on the burner you will ultimately hurt your chances of fueling present and future ministry. The tyranny of the urgent does more to kill good stewardship planning than any other thing I can think of.

Sometimes I feel like the voice crying in the wilderness. God’s call upon my life is to help His church think about stewardship and plan for successful stewardship. As I have continually said, every church needs a stewardship plan. What is yours? Most sadly do not have one. They have a growth plan, an evangelism plan, a missions plan but few if any have a stewardship plan. Simply preaching on stewardship once a year or holding a pledge to budget drive once a year is not a stewardship plan.

So, here are some thoughts for you to consider.

It’s never too late to start planning. While each passing day you go without a solid plan will hurt your ministry it is never too late to start. Even in the middle of the summer you can and should enact a plan to help pull your giving out of the doldrums of summer giving. If you are even remotely thinking about a stewardship campaign now is the time to begin planning that campaign. The most oft heard regret we hear from our partners is that they wished they had started working on their stewardship plan earlier. Do you have a plan to even start planning?

Delaying to plan will cost you thousands of dollars. While the tyranny of the urgent presses in upon you potential dollars are going elsewhere. The myth that all church giving is down should not keep you from enacting a well thought out plan of action. Doing so will ensure that you can carry on the ministries that God has laid upon your heart. It might also ensure your salary or health care coverage!

If you don’t have the time get help! Sure, I want business. I like to eat. My point in this post is not so much that you should hire guys like me as to say, “Do something!” There are tons of places to get help. We live in an age of tremendous resources that are right at your finger tip. It is inexcusable for you not to have a plan. While you consider hiring this staff member or that staff member why not think about someone that has stewardship tasked to them? Why is it that Christian schools have foundation officers but the church never thinks about this role? At the minimum find a lay person who can help in this vital area. Please for the sake of the Kingdom, do something!

Simply put there is no excuse for not having an ongoing workable stewardship plan. While meetings, sermon prep and every other ministerial duty press in upon you it is imperative that you give attention to this crucial area.

Stewardship is not unspiritual. It is the fuel for which ministry is accomplished. It needs to be a front burner issue for you not a back burner issue. Fight the tyranny of the urgent from keeping you out of developing a stewardship plan. In the end you will go a longs ways towards building the Kingdom.

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

PS. We do provide stewardship counsel for developing an over all stewardship plan for churches. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

One thing this recession is going to teach us is to be better stewards of our funds. As churches and Christian ministries feel the impact of either declines in giving or plateau’s in giving they need some creative ways to eliminate excess costs and some ability to raise additional funds.

On top of the already challenging times we are facing the price for many things that we can not do without is on the rise. Take your utility bill. The Wall Street Journal recently stated, “Surging fuel costs are about to inflict more pain on consumers, this time in the form of rapidly rising electricity bills”. If you think your bill is high now just wait.

We can sit back and let this happen to ourselves and hope that it will get better. Remember, hope is not a strategy! Or you can do something about those rising energy costs. Recently we heard about a company that develops “Green” projects that has a renewable energy product that among its many features and benefits will actually lower energy costs by up to 25%. One church that installed this system had a monthly electric bill of over $30k. After installing their “Green Box” they saw a reduction of $7K a month in their electric bill. Think about it, that $7K a month might have just saved someones job or a much needed ministry.

Listening to this story led me to think of some creative ways in which churches can easily save money but also an idea where by they could raise additional funds at the same time. On top of that you can demonstrate the greenness of your church in protecting the environment. How would this work?

First, move to cut your own power. The church I mentioned above spent a few thousand dollars getting their “Green Box” installed. The return on investment was almost over night when you think about a $7K a month savings. You need to seriously investigate your churches power usage as an easy way to save money. You can click on the link at the bottom to find out more about how to get your own “Green Box.”

Secondly, start a Green Campaign. Don’t stop by just eliminating waste at the church building. Why not get your members to install their own “Green Boxes?” As they too save around 20% monthly they could then sign Green Pledge cards to give a portion or all of that savings to your church.

For those that do sign on to get their own “Green Box” through The Charis Group we will for free design this campaign for you. We will help you with the communication process, pledge cards and all aspects of implementing your own “Green Campaign.”

With people struggling to find ways to make ends meet you can be sure that one area under consideration of cutting is your offering plate. Show your members how they can keep giving to your ministry, save energy and save money. It is the ultimate win/win. The cost for a residential “Green Box” is $299.95. Again the return on investment with 25% in savings will be made quickly.

Outside the box thinking…

This may sound totally out of the box in terms of thinking. Isn’t it time you thought outside the box? If you could save thousands of dollars annually in utility bills wouldn’t you be better able to fund ministry? If you help your members save money and encouraged them to return some of that savings back to their church don’t you think a large majority would?

Frankly I have some churches that are in the midst of their fourth capital stewardship campaign with no end in sight. They truly are the tired and the tapped! They are tired of capital campaigns and they are tapped out of money. I am always looking for creative ways in which we can help our clients raise more funds to fuel more ministry. This could be the path to saving thousands for your church and raising additional funds in a non threatening way.

I am sold on the idea and am encouraging all our clients to utilize this service. How about you? To find out more click on the link below my name.

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

To find out more about the “Green Box” go to:

I hated Monday morning quarterbacking when I was a pastor. You know how it goes. Some layman or another pastor has a better idea of how you should be doing ministry or what you should have preached on. Everyone is an expert when it comes to you. One thing pastors have to do is sit and listen to people tell them what they should or should not do. I guess members feel that if they have to listen to us preach for thirty minutes then they have the right to return the favor.

At any rate, while I hate to be “that guy” there are some mistakes that I regularly see pastors making with regards to stewardship that I want to point out. You may or may not be guilty of these but in my eleven years in this ministry here is the list mistakes that are killing many ministries.

Lack of focus. This is the number one mistake. In the tyranny of the urgent stewardship gets pushed far to the back of priorities of most pastors. For whatever reason, and there are many, pastors simply do not pay attention to this crucial area. Often when giving declines happen it takes them totally by surprise. Many do not even see keeping an eye on stewardship as a role that is theirs to own. As a result of this lack of focus too often their ministries fall into difficult times. The end result is that ministry is curtailed and dreams vanish.

Lack of planning. This runs a close second in my list. It is the natural result of not seeing stewardship as a priority and lacking focus. As a result churches see giving not reach its fullest potential. Ask a typical pastor what his growth plan is and he will wax eloquently. Yet ask him what his stewardship plan is and he will give you a blank look. When you have no plan you are essentially planning for failure. Those churches that are suffering the most during this current recession are the ones without a plan.

Lack of courage. It amazes me that pastors who can boldly preach against sin in the pulpit get sweaty hands when they approach the topic of giving. Too often pastors succumb to the mistaken notion that what members do with their money is none of our business. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We fear preaching on giving will drive people away. It’s a myth that the church talks too much about money. The truth is we do not talk about it enough. Don’t let a few excesses keep you from fulfilling your God given role of being the shepherd of every area of your flocks lives.

We need to be men of courage and step up to the plate and preach the whole counsel of God. Remember Jesus talked more about possessions and money than any other subject. It is the god of our age and we need to help people become responsible stewards of God’s blessings in their lives.

Being a lone ranger. For whatever reason I find that too many pastors never ask for help. Sure, guys like me expect to be compensated for our help and advice. There are times you need to spend money for professional help like we offer. Yet there is so much help out there today and much of it is free. We offer a lot of free advice and resources that frankly few take us up on. In the end many pastors attempt to do a task that their colleges and seminaries never taught them about, stewardship. If you go it alone don’t be surprised if you don’t find yourself, alone.

Ceasing to learn. I find that many pastors seldom read anything about stewardship or current giving trends of Americans. While it might not be as exciting as reading Rob Bell or Andy Stanley it just might help you make budget this year. Everything I learned about stewardship I have had to learn on my own. None of my college and seminary days taught me anything about this crucial area. Like so many other areas of ministry you have to dig it out for yourself. Sadly too many pastors never take the time to educate themselves and their ministries pay a dear price for it.

This current recession has given we in the church one of our greatest opportunities to teach stewardship in a positive way. Don’t miss this opportunity by committing any of the above mentioned mistakes. Now is a great time to begin positively teaching your congregation how to be responsible stewards. In doing so you will not only help them navigate through these difficult times but you will also recession proof your offerings.

Now that sounds like a sermon and a book title. In fact it is and we give it away free to all those that ask for it. Some things in life are indeed free.

What is your stewardship plan this summer?

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

Ben Stroup is one sharp guy. I have followed his blog posts for about a year now at Do More Ministry. He once made some comment to me about not being an “expert.” I remarked that he knew more about stewardship issues than 99% of the church leaders in America. Finally Ben has authored his first book, “Church Giving Matters.” It’s a great book that should be a must read for every pastor and church leader interested in raising more money to do more ministry. That should be all of you!

This book is easy to read and can be read on a good two hour flight. Ronnie Floyd told me last year that the perfect book size should be one that could be read in one setting. So, while Ben’s book might seem small it by no means is light weight. Not only will he challenge your thinking but best of all he will give you some real life examples of how you can increase your offerings. As he says, “More money really does mean more ministry.”

For all your SBC boys you can find Ben in Louisville, Ky at the convention and get him to personally sign your copy of his new book. By the way another exciting thing about Ben’s book is that it is published by a new publisher called CrossBooks Publishing. For those aspiring authors like myself, I am mired currently working on my second book, this is an attractive alternative.

In your quest to never stop learning do yourself and your church a favor and read, “Church Giving Matters,” by Ben Stroup.

Mark Brooks
Founder and President
The Charis Group

PS. Find out more about Ben’s book through his blog at:

Do More Ministry Blog