As people of faith, what we do with our money can be countercultural. It honors Jesus, not us. It’s not about grasping the rungs of the upward mobility ladder – it is about remembering who it is we serve, and the life Jesus lived.

So go ahead, take a mental health day and show a little love to your congregation. I can almost guarantee that you’ll be in a better place to face the world if you do.

Getting lost in nostalgia is not necessarily a bad response to anxiety. However, if you get stuck there…what does that say about how you view the future?
 
That’s why I love the six-minute video I watched from Water’s Edge Church in Omaha, NE.

Are you dreaming about how your church might impact the community? Are you also wondering how you might fund your current valuable mission and ministry? Get a creative, grounded group together and definitely take a read of Funding Forward.

The more you do these things every month, the more they will seep into your DNA…and most importantly, your congregation’s DNA too.

Before we go too far – let’s look into the way back machine and see what the most pop-u-lar (I’m singing that tune from Wicked) posts were from last year.

Christmas Eve is almost here…and then you’re done.
 
Except, can I ask you to do one more thing?
 
Please send one last email reminding people about your financial need on either December 29, 30, or 31^st.

Expressing gratitude in the midst of a season where you are feeling overwhelmed (and I so appreciate all our clergy brethren and sisteren during Advent) can help you refocus on why you went into ministry in the first place.

I don’t know of any church who brags:
 
“We are the unfriendly church!”
 
Of course, everyone thinks they are the friendliest, the most hospitable church. But what do these churches really practice? Well…let me tell you about my recent experiences.

Giving grace, lots and lots of grace, is what we as a faith-filled people are called to do. That doesn’t mean acquiescing or agreeing. In fact, we are also called to keep that fire-in-the-belly and as John Lewis said, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”