When it comes to creative stewardship, people are often encouraged to think “outside the box”. Sometimes, however, it pays to think “inside the box” — inside the boxed treasures found inside their own home. Many people own valuable physical assets that can be creatively gifted to your ministry. Tangible Personal Property Physical assets are referred to by the IRS as “tangible [...]

“Once upon a time” — most churches in America received their offerings pretty much the same way as they had done for generations. A group of ushers would march down the center aisle with plates in hand and pass them row by row. While the practice is traditional, it also allows the congregation to collectively experience something very special [...]

How can you increase and facilitate non-cash gifts of financial assets, real estate or tangible property? First, let your people know that you are actively seeking such gifts. This could be accomplished simply by publishing a quarterly announcement stating: “If you are interested in making a non-cash gift to our ministry such as stock, mutual funds or real estate, [...]

Church leaders have been talking about it for months, but now you are hearing rumblings from the congregation and even visitors . . . your building looks and feels “tired”. What should you do? Before embarking on a major building or renovation project, following are several recommended steps that will help make sure your congregation is ready: Focus on Ministry Needs: [...]

If you were to visit the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota with a serious health issue, you would immediately notice a significant aspect of their service model. All of your medical specialists would gather around the table with you to discuss your diagnosis and create the treatment plan. Using such a clinical approach has obvious benefits – the [...]

Is the economy doing well? Is the stock market at an all-time high? Is unemployment currently low in your area? If the answer is yes, why should you even consider eliminating or reducing your existing church debt now? Read on and we’ll tell you. A great time to eliminate debt is when current economic conditions imply that church finances are [...]

“Worship facility insecurity” – no, it’s not a new psychological disorder, but a serious emerging challenge for church leaders who currently meet in rented or leased facilities (think public schools or movie theaters). Let’s face it – COVID has created tremendous uncertainty. For example, public school plans for the fall 2020 semester seem to change daily. School administrators have enough [...]

Church capital campaigns can generate a wide range of emotions. On one hand, campaign consultants talk glowingly about their recent success story. On the other hand, Pastors are worried that a campaign will actually be detrimental to the overall health of their church. So what is the reality? Here at CGS, we decided it was time to bust the myths [...]

There are many myths associated with church capital campaigns. Here at CGS, we decided it was time to investigate the myths and find reality. To do so, we commissioned an independent agency (Arbor Research) to conduct a rigorous research project. Their study encompassed 52 pastors representing 17 different denominations. The findings from the study were surprising and many myths got [...]

Here’s a radical idea for your next church building project – consider the entire congregation to be “ad hoc” members of the building committee! Totally impractical? Perhaps not as much as you may think! Why involve so many people? Simply this – we’ve discovered that oftentimes the strongest, most sacrificial financial supporters of a project are those who have initially [...]