Speaking of gifts – have you recently thought about all the assets your congregation or organization possesses?…No doubt, you have assets you are not aware of.

Seriously, Hollywood has nothing on the powerful work that is being done every week in your congregation. However, they’re not going to tell your story.
 
That’s up to you.

It’s clear that from the perspective of these three (and me too) that the focus of any stewardship month should be on generosity as a spiritual practice. And…it does not have to be in either September or October.

Let your generosity team struggle with what’s best for your congregation:

• A one-and-done October (or fall) campaign

• A January or February program

• Or two opportunities to pledge during the year.

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.

That’s why a community that’s praying for you is critical. You know that on that roller coaster, you are not alone. Your people are there to hold you, grab your hand, and say, “It’s OK, you’re going to get through this.” Whether they know it or not, these are the Jesus people you want beside you.

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?