Stewardship (and generosity) is a year-round habit and should be talked about from January through December. And, it's OK to focus your attention on it for a month too.

Jesus spent 15% of his time talking about money and possessions. It was the topic he returned to most often. Eleven of his 39 parables focus on the topic of money and possessions.
 
What if 15% of your sermons addressed the very real, very practical issue of money, consumerism, and the need for generosity?  

However, if testifying is the means to tell a story of transformation, of a life changed, of moving from darkness to light…where better to share that but in church? There are people who want their story to be told – heck, they want to tell their story.

Hooray! My favorite survey has just been released – Giving USA 2026, researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The report tells us what good folk gave and what they were giving to in 2025.
 
Here’s what you need to know…

If you remember, a few weeks ago I wrote about my experience in a hot yoga class. Last week, I received an email from said studio director. She thanked me for coming to the class and hoped I’d come again. It was a lovely surprise, and it made me feel seen.
 
How about you surprise people in your congregation with an unexpected thank you?

There is no single act a church can take that will bring about more giving and volunteers than having people engage in small groups that are teaching the Bible and caring for others.

There is a clear connection to churches that show year-over-year growth, have a vision (a picture of their preferred future described in measurable, time-bound terms), and, more importantly, have a flexible 3-5-year strategic ministry plan to implement this vision. 

Which experience are you giving people who visit your congregation? Are you upbeat and happy to meet a new person? Or do you ignore the visitor, project a Debbie Downer façade, and hope someone else will tell them hello?

But how about in the hallowed halls of your church? Do you have guardrails in place to ensure that your congregation isn’t getting ripped off from within?