Blog
Someone is Missing From Your Leadership Team
September marks the beginning of my 20th year in generosity and stewardship ministry. (I was a lot younger (and thinner) back then.) This year also marks the 12th year of writing about stewardship and generosity here at Generosity Matters and RustyLewis.net. Thank you...
Our Budget May Blow Up – Now What?
As the Covid pandemic continues to disrupt our world and the way we are accustomed to engaging in ministry, the impact on giving and the 2020 budget immediately brought many questions. How do we maintain, or even better, grow generosity in light of this situation?...
6 Ideas for an Effective Offering Moment this Easter
Tomorrow is Good Friday. Easter is Sunday. None of us expected to be celebrating these most significant of days in a virtual format. I know you have been scrambling to prepare meaningful services for the weekend. Can I just encourage and celebrate you? Regardless of...
8 Action Steps to Address Giving During COVID-19
During this season of uncertainty and rapidly changing recommendations, we at Generis are carefully monitoring factors which will impact giving within your ministry. Here are 8 action steps to address giving during COVID-19. I am offering free virtual coaching time to...
People Don’t Like Your Sermons on Giving? Be Counterintuitive.
"I love talking about money in my church." - said no pastor ever. In reality, I’ve worked with quiet a few who now look forward to the conversation. How would you like to reduce your giving sermon complaints? It’s safe to say most pastors don’t like preaching on...
Three Emails to Boost End of Year Giving
Did you know that almost 20% of all charitable giving occurs during the month of December? And most of that giving happens in the last 48 hours of the year. In a post last year I suggested sending one email at year end. Today, I would plan on sending 3 simple emails...
Church Generosity Mistakes: Ignoring Your Data
As a church leader, you wear a number of hats. On any given day, you’re a counselor, administrator, teacher, mediator, and—depending on the size of your ministry—all the “chiefs”: financial officer, marketing officer, operations officer, information officer....
Church Generosity Mistakes: Neglecting Your High-Capacity Givers
What keeps you up at night? If you’re like most church leaders I’ve met, your answer likely boils down to three things: The vision God’s given you for your church. Where you are now as a church. The gap between those two. Depending on your particular restless night,...
Church Generosity Mistakes: 52 Missed Opportunities
You’d love for the people in your church to be more generous—for all sorts of reasons. You’ve done everything you know how to do, but you just don’t feel like the needle’s moving as far as it could. Or should. I hear that a lot. After doing generosity audits and...