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 [...]

God doesn’t need our money to further His Kingdom, yet the Bible has a great deal to say about money and how to be good stewards of it. Your congregation wants to obey God’s word, bless others, and be a part of ministries that are reaching the lost, but many families struggle in their giving. As their pastor, you want [...]

Winning athletes know that their success on game day begins with their early training and conditioning. Church capital campaigns are no different. Following are some “conditioning exercises” that could help your congregation in the early preparation for a major capital campaign. Prior to your campaign kickoff, offer a financial literacy class. Many families genuinely want to give but just don’t [...]

Question – what percentage of your constituent’s total assets are cash, savings or checking accounts? Answer – about 10%. Next question – what percentage of your annual church giving comes from cash, savings or checking accounts? Answer – possibly 95% (or more!). Final question – what’s wrong with this picture? Answer – read on to find out. “What’s wrong” is [...]

Myth: capital campaigns are most successful in large, mega churches. Reality: small congregations (less than 300) often out pace their mega-church counterparts with deeper sacrifice and overall success. You’ve probably heard stories of churches with thousands in attendance that gave millions of dollars to a major project. It sounds impressive, and in many ways it is. But, the reality is that smaller [...]

What percentage of your constituent’s total assets would you say are found in cash or checking accounts? Answer: about 10%. What percentage of your annual church giving comes from cash or checking accounts? Answer: generally 95% (and sometimes more!). What’s wrong with this picture? “What’s wrong” is that most church leaders do not actively seek non-cash gifts. This is unfortunate [...]