July 24, 2025
HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF
As we take these emblems of Communion, let us do so with deepest respect and reverence for the Son and his sacrifice.
Articles for tag: Giving
Beyond the Budget: Navigating Church Giving and Finances
While a minister may not want to know what individuals in their church give, it’s wise for them to know about the annual budget, the average weekly or monthly giving, how much debt, if any, the church has, and what percentage of the budget is being spent to service the debt.
October 31, 2024
Novel Generosity: Churches and Individuals Who Creatively Share Their Blessings with Others
Christians and churches are called by Christ to share their blessings with those around them. Giving often is pretty straight-forward. See a need and meet it. But some givers go a little further with their generosity—not perhaps in what they give, but in how they go about doing it.
July 15, 2024
July 21 Study | She Displayed Love
Esther took the bold step of going to the king uninvited . . .
June 10, 2024
June 16 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Looking in Amazement” (Daniel 3:1, 4-6, 8-28), by Mark Scott.
April 29, 2024
StoneBridge, IDES Helping with Tornado Recovery in Omaha Area
StoneBridge Christian Church and International Disaster Emergency Service are teaming to help with recovery efforts in the Elkhorn, Neb., area. That Omaha suburb is one of many areas ravaged by tornadoes and severe storms in Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, and other states over the weekend. . . .
April 11, 2024
HLC Team Recommends GLCC’s Probation Be Lifted
A Higher Learning Commission delegation that visited Great Lakes Christian College in late March is recommending that the accrediting agency lift the school’s probationary status. . . .
March 26, 2024
GLCC Meets with Accreditor to Discuss Its Financial Health
Hopes are high this week at Great Lakes Christian College as it meets with its accreditor to discuss its financial condition—and possibly emerge from a painful probationary period. . . .
February 22, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Apostle Paul’s Top 21 Leadership Character Traits’ (2014)
For his "Best Practices" feature in 2014, former editor Mike Mack introduced a listicle by writing: "Acts 20 contains 21 character traits of the apostle Paul. Look over this list, and then take time to assess yourself as a leader." . . .
January 16, 2024
Leaders Encouraged to Complete Our Annual Church Survey
The Christian Standard Annual Survey of Churches is now available! We encourage all Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ to complete it by Friday, Jan. 26. It takes just a few minutes . . .
October 2, 2023
October 8 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Sharing and Pretending” (Acts 4:32—5:16), by Mark Scott.
January 9, 2023
January 15 | Application (‘Traveling on a Rough Road’)
The book of Ezra tells how a group of exiled Jews traveled back to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple, but it wasn’t a smooth and easy journey. Their story reveals some principles that can help us travel rough roads of our own.
November 1, 2022
How to Be a ‘Cheerful Giver’ (and How to Develop More of Them at Your Church)
By Megan Rawlings I first heard of Chuck Lane from my husband’s time at Alliance Defending Freedom, where they worked together. Chuck mentored me in development (sometimes referred to as fundraising). He taught me everything I know. Fundraising is all about relationships and not being afraid to ask. It is a ministry to teach people how to be cheerful givers. Chuck’s insight was unrivaled, and his warmth was immeasurable. We talked a couple of times a month until his untimely death last year. So, to honor his legacy, I want to share with you several thoughts about giving that have
October 17, 2022
Generosity Action Steps for Church Leaders
Kent Fillinger shares four action steps your church’s leaders can take to help prompt people to take the next step in their generosity journey.
May 2, 2022
May 8 | Application
I’m a sports fan, but I’m alarmed by the swift expansion of sports betting. Gambling is addictive and it threatens the integrity of athletic competition. . . .
January 10, 2022
Jan. 16 | Application
Something in the human spirit wants to push back and assert our independence. When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, Peter refused at first. On the surface his objection appeared humble, but in reality, pride was at work.
October 26, 2020
Trimming Around the Edges (Nov. 1 Lesson Application)
This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Nov. 1, 2020: God Is Faithful (2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18) ________ By David Faust I learned a lot of practical lessons on the farm where I grew up. Dad was good at fixing things. I wasn’t. He didn’t have a college degree, but he deserved an honorary doctorate in the school of hard knocks. He knew how to weld metal, mend fences, install electrical wiring, fix leaky water pipes, help a cow give birth, and grow a flourishing garden. He knew his Bible well. Neighbors and church members respected his
April 22, 2020
Church Giving Seems to Stabilize after Rough Start to COVID-19 Closures
We spoke with ministers of churches large and small in several states about how their church finances have been impacted by COVID-19 and the resulting stay-at-home orders. The sampling size is small—five ministers—but most report improved giving after a rough first couple of weeks. _ _ _ By Chris Moon When asked about church finances during the COVID-19 pandemic, pastor Vince Antonucci had a quick answer. “It’s scary,” he said. The lead pastor of Verve Church in Las Vegas—which averaged 285 people in attendance before the shutdown—is in a city that’s been particularly hard hit because of the outbreak. The
January 2, 2020
Your Medical Debt Has Been Forgiven
How Churches Are Erasing Health Care Obligations for Thousands of Families in Need _ _ _ “I was sick and you looked after me.“ _ _ _ By Justin Horey Julie was a single mother of two when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her health insurance helped cover the cost of treatments that ultimately put the disease in remission, but she was still left with $18,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses. Despite the generosity of family members and her own personal commitment to making installment payments on the various bills, Julie was unable to pay it all. Like the estimated
March 25, 2019
It’s God’s Kindness
By Vince Antonucci One time after a church service a lady bounced up to me and said, âHey!â I said, âHey!â âMy nameâ™s Sandy,â she said very quickly, âbut not for long it isnâ™t. Iâ™m changing it! Itâ™s been a bad year for SandysâHurricane Sandy, Sandy Hook Elementary.â I nodded, a bit confused. âSo, hey!â Sandy continued, âI just wanted to thank you for keeping it positive.â I asked what she meant. âI went to church a few times growing up, and Iâ™ve gone a couple times as an adult, and I hate it. Hate it!â Sandy said. âYou always
