Money and a Heart for God: An In-depth Interview with Callie Picardo
How does our faith influence our relationship with money? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff speaks with Callie Picardo, a teacher and the coauthor…
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“Money and a Heart for God” featuring Callie Picardo
Podcast Episode 118 How does our faith influence our relationship with money? We speak with author and teacher Callie Picardo about stewardship, gratitude, and how…
Don’t Forget to Say Thanks
Stewardship expert Charles Lane says that thanking your church’s donors isn’t difficult but remembering to do it often is. He outlines key elements in developing…
Leading Voices: “Leaders Motivate the Contributions of Resources”
“Leaders Motivate the Contributions of Resources” is presented by Bishop Tom Berlin of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. In celebration of the…
Getting Comfortable Preaching about Money and Generosity
Preaching on the topic of money is spiritually challenging. And it can also be personally challenging to leaders plagued by their own economic insecurity or…
10 Ways to Help Children Grow in Faith and Generosity
How can parents shape a generous spirit in their children? Ken Sloane outlines ten practical ways families can focus more intentionally on giving and gratitude,…
7 Practical Strategies for Nurturing a Culture of Generosity
Ann A. Michel and Lovett H. Weems Jr., authors of Generosity, Stewardship, and Abundance, say creating a culture of generosity requires creativity and consistency. They…
5 Ways to Encourage People to Increase Their Giving
Stewardship expert Rev. Charles Cloughen Jr. outlines five proven strategies to help people grow in giving and strive toward the tithe. Key factors include helping…
Building Your Stewardship Team
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says forming a lay-led stewardship team is key to a successful stewardship campaign and to fostering a culture…
Wesley Theological Seminary Summer 2022 Courses from Lewis Center Staff Members
Join the Lewis Center’s Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. for his online summer course from Wesley Theological Seminary. The course is 1 academic credit hour.…
7 Strategies to Engage New Givers
How can congregations invite new givers to begin their journey of generosity? Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff outlines seven strategies more likely to…
4 Principles for Engaging Donors Who Care About Making a Difference
Baby boomers and Gen Xers are currently the most critical donor base for most congregations. James Elrod says these generations want proof that their gifts…
Giving Thanks Faithfully
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says Thanksgiving is an opportunity to refocus our expressions of gratitude. True gratitude is always about the giver…
Why Pledging Still Matters
How can churches help a new generation of givers skeptical of institutional allegiances embrace the practice of pledging? Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff…
5 Ways to Preach about Money More Effectively
Alex Joyner says tending to our attitudes about money is a way of tending our souls. He shares tips for preaching in ways that can…
7 Ways to Make it Easier to Talk about Money in Church
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff writes that churches can promote financial transparency and enhance generosity by addressing the often-taboo subject of money more…
8 Financial Lessons for the Post-pandemic Church
Lovett Weems and Ann Michel share eight key lessons to help churches deal with the financial aftershocks of the COVID crisis. Now is the time…
A Transformational Approach to Church Finance
How can church leaders approach stewardship and finance in ways that inspire generosity and encourage the sound use of church resources? Lewis Center Director Doug…
Episode 79: “A Transformative Approach to Church Finances” featuring Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel
How can church leaders approach stewardship and finance in ways that inspire generosity and encourage the sound use of church resources? Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel share practical strategies and discuss how our belief structures around generosity, stewardship, and abundance speak to these challenges.
Generosity, Stewardship, and Abundance: A Transformational Guide to Church Finance
God’s purpose in calling us to lives of faithful stewardship and generosity isn’t merely to sustain the church. Rather, the continued existence of the church…
Wesley Theological Seminary Summer 2021 Courses from Lewis Center Staff Members
Join the Lewis Center’s Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Dr. Ann A. Michel for their online summer courses from Wesley Theological Seminary. Each course is…
Giving for the Right Reasons
The Christian faith invites us to think about giving in new and countercultural ways. Giving faithfully and for the right reasons puts us in alignment…
Is Your Church Ready to Receive a Large Gift?
Many churches dream of receiving a large gift or bequest, but few are prepared for the opportunities and challenges such a gift presents. Ken Sloane…
The Promise of Digital Giving
Ann Michel says that as the church increasingly moves online, so too must the church’s ministry of generosity. But this future requires the capacity to…
6 Reasons Your Church Needs a Planned Giving Program
David Heetland says churches would more commonly receive sizable bequests if they put in place well-defined planned giving programs. He outlines six ways that planned…
How to Ask People to Give (Even in a Pandemic)
Margaret Marcuson shares ideas for asking people to support the church even in these most uncertain times. She says leaders should set an example through…
Changing the Tone of Conversations about Money and Church
Money conversations can be difficult in churches. But Lovett Weems suggests two principles that can change the tone of stewardship conversations. Never talk about people’s…
Are Your Pandemic Giving Systems as Effective as the Offering Plate?
Due to COVID-19 restrictions most churches have adopted new ways of taking up the collection. Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff says it’s important…
7 Ways to Keep Revenue and Donations Flowing During the COVID-19 Crisis
Stewardship expert Rob Blezard outlines steps your church can take to address the financial challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis. Key strategies include staying in…
4 Ways to Help People Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff suggests ways that churches can cultivate an attitude of gratitude — a mindset that makes people more mindful…
