In this issue:

Giving Up to Our Potential

Twelve Specific Things Church Leaders Can Do Now to Increase Giving

The Right Question

If American Christians were to give from their income generously—not lavishly, mind you, only generously—they could transform the world, starting right away.

Christian Smith,
Michael Emerson,
and Patricia Snell

The oft-repeated claim that churchgoers are the most generous of Americans was always a reassurance to me as I labored in the vineyard of stewardship ministry—and a source of pride, as well. Unfortunately, however, it turns out this claim is not entirely true. There are other religious givers who are far more charitable than Christians. And even though Christians are more generous than non-religious Americans, that is not much to brag about. The vast majority of Christians are not giving up to their potential or in proportion to what their faith teaches.

Passing the Plate (Oxford University Press, 2008), the most recent work by sociologists Christian Smith and Michael Emerson and researcher Patricia Snell, reveals some unfortunate truths about the giving patterns of American Christians. Twenty percent give nothing to church or other charities. The vast majority give very little. Congregations manage to stay afloat only because of the generosity of a very small percentage who account for about sixty percent of total giving—and because churches spend the lion's share of what is given on their internal needs. Moreover, more affluent church members generally give a lesser percentage of income than those of more modest means. The book attempts to provide a sociological explanation for why American Christians are so stingy, despite massive gains in real per capita income over the past century.

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Twelve Specific Things Church Leaders
Can Do Now to Increase Giving
By Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

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The Right Question

Leaders do not need answers.
Leaders must have the right questions.

Taking a moment to ask this question before meetings, conversations, visits, and events can guide what you do and say.

What do we hope to accomplish?

Editors:  Lovett H. Weems, Jr. and Ann A. Michel
Production and distribution: Carol Follett