To maximize impact start early.

 A year-end giving request can be a very useful tool and can have a profoundly positive impact on your ministry.  But if you are going to do it you need to start early, as in now.  Many of your church members make year-end gifts annually and there are dollars in your congregation that will either end up being sent to the I.R.S. or to a tax-exempt charity.  Most folks would rather give to a charity than pay taxes, and if you do not ask for those dollars someone will.  United Way may end up with some of your members’ offerings.  But if you are going to maximize your year-end giving appeal, it needs to be done right.

Failed year-end giving appeals in churches happen for a number of reasons.  Perhaps the most common reason is that churches don’t to see the value of a year-end giving appeal and so they don’t even try.  A year-end giving appeal for your congregation can offer your members a wonderful opportunity to worship in giving during the holy days of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, and bless your church as you enter the New Year.  You need to consider having a year end giving appeal.

A second reason year-end giving appeals don’t work is because they are poorly prepared and presented.  A form letter addressed to “Dear Member”, and asking that they consider a special “Thanksgiving offering” which arrives on November 25^th will likely not get a generous response.  Some appeal letters motivate people to give less and not more.  Worse than no year-end appeal is an appeal that comes across as sloppy and thoughtless. 

One other reason that a year-end appeal might fall flat on its face is that it smacks of self-aggrandizement and greed.  If you send out a letter that tells folks you are so wonderful, listing all your accomplishments in the year and asking for more of their money so you can be more wonderful next year, you deserve to be ignored. 

So what does this have to do with a year-end giving discussion in January?  Year-end giving needs to be a special opportunity to carry on a yearlong expression of holy, wholesome, and Biblical giving.  By developing healthy giving attitudes now when you make a year-end appeal it will not seem like you are trying to sheer the flock between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.   A sound yearlong approach to stewardship that is holy, wholesome, and Biblical will bless any church, weather you have a year end appeal or not.  Here are three foundational points you need to have in place.

Vision: Why on earth has God put you here?  You are not here by accident; God has a plan for your congregation.  Be able to articulate the answer to the question “Why?” simply and directly.

Mission: What are we doing about that?  If God has put you here for a purpose you need to be able to state how are you going to accomplish that purpose.

Relationship:  How are we connecting to our members as givers?  People do not give to anyone or anything they do not trust.  You build trust by the currency of relationships. 

Next week I will take a moment to point out some basic tools that will help you build trust and your relationship with your givers all year long. 

Lesson from Ham Potatoes and Cheesy Cream Sauce

“I don’t like that.” 

“What do you mean you don’t like it?  You haven’t tried it.”

“I don’t like that; I know I don’t like it.”

This was the conversation between my 4-year-old grandson and my daughter.  My daughter is an excellent cook and a great mom, but at the moment she was more aggravated than anything else.  When she was little she was not a bad child, but she was definitely creative and stubborn, which is a powerful combination and her strong will and dynamic personality drove me crazy at times.

Now the role has changed; she and my son-in-law are the parents of a strong willed child.  She tells me the stories of how her son drives her crazy and I just laugh.  Couple of more grand kids and I can get off anti-depressants altogether.

Z-man, that is what I call my grandson, has decided that this new dish is absolutely inedible.  Of all things, she has placed before him a plate of ham and potatoes with a creamy cheese sauce.  Z-man, having never tasted this, has decided that it is beyond his ability to ingest and is flatly refusing to eat.

My daughter and son-in-law have a rule in their home; if you refuse to try a new food, you will see the same food at the next meal.  A challenge of the wills was about to happen. 

“Son,” my daughter begins patiently, “food is a gift from God.  It is one of the ways He shows us that He loves us.  Because of that we do not waste food; instead, we are thankful for this wonderful gift of God.”

“I’m not eating that.”

“Son, this is your supper,” the patience of mom is beginning to wear a little thin, “if you don’t want to eat it, you don’t have to; you can go to bed without any supper.”

“I’m not eating that”.

“Go get ready for bed.”  There remained only a thin veneer of patience over the frustration for a stubborn child.

Now one might suppose that by morning things would have changed.  But even with my daughter dressing the ham, potatoes and cheesy cream sauce with a little bacon, the refrain continued.  “I’m not eating that.”  So went breakfast, and lunch and supper.  That night the family was going to Wednesday services at church, which includes snacks and light foods.  “You can’t have any of the treats at church till you try at least one bite of your supper.”  The anthem of defiance sings on, “I’m not eating that.”  We are now 24 hours into this battle of the will and the boy has not budged a bit.

The next morning my son-in-law makes an executive decision.  He allows the 4 year old to have some cereal for breakfast with the understanding that at lunch he will face the ham, potatoes, and creamy cheese sauce again.  

At lunch my daughter dresses up a drinking straw into a puppet and this puppet dances across the dinner table while singing the praises of ham, potatoes, and cheesy cream sauce.  Now Z-man tries the bane of his pallet and finds that he loves what he has so long rejected. 

So what has this got to do with ministry and the Christian faith?

Many times God places before us opportunities and our response is, “I don’t like that, I don’t want that, I’m not going to do that”. 

Like a four year old facing unfamiliar supper, we get bent out of shape because the circumstances of our life are not what we wanted or expected.   All the while our loving heavenly Father places before us delights that we can’t imagine and all we can do is bow up our neck, redouble our stubborn will and refuse God’s gracious gift.  I wonder how many times I missed blessing because I was too set on my agenda to see God’s great gift?  How many times have I been left with the lesser, rather than the greater option, because I refused to enjoy what was before me?

May God grant us a child like faith to follow His leading and protect us from our own childish stubbornness.  

How much does a hooker cost? Questions for ministry

“Andy, how much does a hooker cost?”  As soon as I said that, I realized I had posed the question rather poorly.  There was a very long pause on the other end of the phone. 

“Preacher, why do you want to know how much a hooker costs?”  Andy was a member of my congregation in suburban Atlanta and deputy sheriff in one of the Atlanta counties. 

“Andy, I am working on my sermon for Sunday about the guy in the Bible who hires a hooker.  He over pays by a long shot and I wanted to get a point of reference for my sermon Sunday.”

Another long pause.  “Okay, hold on.”

I hear Andy lower the phone and ask the officers in the room, “What is the going rate for a hooker?”

Pause

“No, it is for my preacher,” I hear Andy say.

Suddenly, I am having second thoughts about this whole sermon.

Andy returns, “One of the vice guys here said you can get a crack monster for $5, typical rate for a street hooker is between $40 and $75.  High-end call girls can go as high as $1,000 an hour.  It all depends on what you want.  Does that help?”

“Yea, I have more information than I can use.  Thanks, Andy.”

“No problem, I am really looking forward to hearing this sermon.”

Come Sunday, Andy and his wife, (their kids were in Junior church) were on the second row as I preached about Judah and Tamar, the ancestors of the Messiah.  While the price of prostitution was only a minor part of that sermon, Andy listened with special attention.  Unexpectedly, I had entered into his world for the sermon.  The Bible was, in a new way, something he could relate to.  Judah and Tamar were not just names from a list in the Bible; they were two novices in the world’s oldest profession.  Andy may have worked cases of such novices.  The events of the Book were connected with the life he lived.

In the contemporary church we hear-to excess-about relevant preaching.  Sometimes that is little more than a cliché or a rehashing of the latest book, or sermon series by a super star, mega-church preacher.  Let me suggest that there is a better way to make preaching relevant.

First, return to the histories and teachings of Scripture.  Clearly we need to be contemporary but not to the exclusion of the Word of God.  I recently heard a sermon in which the preach spoke apologetically about read a lengthy passage of scripture.

Second, draw out the timeless and timely themes.  One of the great things about scripture is how it seems like it could have been written yesterday.  The themes of scripture seem at times to be lifted from the news feed on your tablet.

Third, what I discovered by accident, ask people in your congregation about how their reality parallels the world of the Bible.  The best way to do that is by questioning your people.  What I did was an accident.  But with a little forethought and effort you could mine a mother load of teaching moments from you congregation.

P.S.  Thanks to everyone who participated in last week's survey.

Begin the new year by telling me what you think!

I love to write.  I also love the church and the ministry.  I hope that this blog is the intersection of those loves.  Over the last year I have addressed issues from the sublime to the ridiculous.  Some essays have been well received and others have had hostile reactions and, worst of all, some have been ignored altogether.  But I write anyway, just because I like to put my random ideas on paper, or whatever the digital equivalent happens to be.

However, in order to be more effective and useful, I want your help in knowing what would make a good article or essay in your opinion.  Tell me how I can help you in the New Year.   This survey is super short and will take you only a couple of minutes to complete.  I would be most thankful if you would be so kind as to share your opinion with me.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J8RNZV5

Now on a completely unrelated and frivolous subject. 

I bet what we do with our old Christmas tree is more exciting than what you do with yours.  I want to share with you the video of The Exploding Christmas Trees.  This has become our family tradition.  I want to include the Christmas tree Manifesto which reads as follows: 

“Never in the history of trees has the need been greater for a dignity movement for Christmas trees.

As Christmas trees we are loved, adored, decorated, photographed and made part of the family until Dec 26^th.  Then we are thrown out like ripped wrapping paper.  We are tossed in ditches, thrown in landfills, sunk in ponds and treated with no respect.  We go from being the centerpiece of decoration to nothing in a matter of hours.

The time has come for us to receive the dignity we deserve in our passing.  We faithfully serve and bring cheer and we deserve better than to be thrown out like trash.  We deserve to go out with flash, flare and zing.

In solidarity with trees everywhere, we call for the great exploding Christmas tree to become the grand finale to the Christmas tree season.”

https://youtu.be/2GKDaUdv8dY

 

The end of a Heroic Era

Yesterday was more than the last Sunday of 2015; it was the end of an era.  A friend of mine entered retirement and left the local pulpit ministry.  Art had served this congregation for almost 30 years.  I’m not sure how old Art is or when he entered the ministry, but his early sermons were written on a scroll with a quill pen.  When you first meet Art, you get the impression that he is a pastor through and through.  That conviction remains, but as you get to know him better you become convinced that he is working on his inner curmudgeon.  And when you get past the gruffness, which is the way he plays, you realize he is a tendered hearted man who loves the Lord, His church, and people.

In addition to being a preacher, he has served in numerous ministry groups and civic organizations beyond the local church.  His faithfulness in his little town is a tribute to his patience, humility, and long-suffering nature.  Art is one of the ministers who has survived a coup by disgruntled church members, and while he was hurt, he never lost his hope. 

Besides all that, Art is a loving husband and proud dad of several kids.  His son wrote a song about a young married couple making their way through life and the minefield of marriage.  In a lot of ways that song could apply to life in ministry.  So, I want to say thank you to Art for your service and example.  And ask you, my readers, to listen to this song, and taking it out of context, try to apply it to the life of ministry. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtTa81LyuQM

Strange Christmas Traditions

We all understand that Jesus was not born on December 25^th.  Most of our celebrations of Christmas are simply traditions that we have acquired and pass down.  Some of our traditions seem to have nothing to do with the worship of Christ at all, but they are for the most part harmless and fun.  I hope you have a joyful Christmas and that your traditions fill your heart, home, and church with the warmth of our Lord’s love.

And the next time you think your Christmas traditions are strange consider these:

Christmas log

The bizarre Catalonian tradition of caga tió (or "defecating log" in English) involves creating a character out of a small log - often complete with a grinning face and hat, and a hold drilled through it – which sits on the dining room table during the fortnight leading up to Christmas. It has to be fed every day with fruit, nuts and sweets, and then – on Christmas Eve – the entire family beats the log with sticks, while singing traditional songs, forcing the log to excrete its treats.

Festive fiend

St Nicholas's evil accomplice in Austrian tradition, Krampus is a demon-like creature that punishes bad children. Men dressed as Krampus roam the streets during the festive period, frightening the little ones.  Nothing tells of the Joy of Christmas like terrorizing children.

Christmas Caracas

In Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, it is customary to travel to early morning church services during the festival period on roller skates – roads are even cleared to provide Christmas worshippers with a safe passage.  You might even get a cast for Christmas.

Wicked Christmas

Norwegians believe that Christmas Eve coincides with the arrival of evil spirits and witches. Logically, therefore, households will hide all their brooms before they go to sleep.  You would hate to have a witch go cruising on your broom.

Goat to it

A tradition popular in Scandinavia is that of the Christmas goat (Julebukk in Norway or Julbock in Sweden). You can find straw goats on or near the Christmas tree or even a gigantic straw goat in the town square.  The custom has origins in the worship of Thor, who rode in a chariot pulled by a pair of goats.

I’d rather have Ham.

Christmas cuisine in Greenland doesn't quite compete with a Christmas Ham. Mattak – raw whale skin with a little blubber – is one festive delicacy, as is kiviak, which is made by wrapping a small arctic bird in seal skin, burying it for several months and eating its decomposed flesh.

Taking the plunge

It's difficult to understand how diving into a freezing body of water on Christmas Day ever caught on, but it has become an annual custom in Britain.  Brave Londoners leap into the Serpentine on Hyde Park or Brighton beach, in Ireland revelers head for the chilly Irish Sea, and in France there's an annual dip in Nice.  Here in Florida swimming on Christmas day might happen if accompanied by warm weather.

The ghost of Christmas past

During "consoda", the traditional Christmas feast in Portugal, families will sometimes set extra places at the dining table for deceased relatives. It is thought that the practice will ensure good fortunes for the household.  

Black Peter

In the Netherlands, Zwarte Piet - or "Black Peter" - is a mischievous assistant to Father Christmas.  He will appear at festive parades and is tasked with amusing children and scattering sweets.  As those who dress up as Zwarte Piet usually cover their face in blacking and wear a curly Afro wig, the tradition has become a controversial one, with some claiming it to be racist.

Night of the Radishes

Every December 23 in the Mexican city of Oaxaca, thousands of residents flock to the main plaza to see an exhibition of sculptures cut from radishes. Themes usually include nativity scenes.  In my opinion, this is a much better use of a radish than doing something disgusting like eating them.

Please drop me a note and let me know about your Christmas traditions, warm, witty or weird. 

In the Cause of Christ

Charlie

The Face in The Picture. Part 3

From Last week…

As long as he thought about football, he didn’t notice the sorrow so much.  So that is what he did now.  Ever since the first day of spring practice, Buzz knew this was a very special team. But Buzz buried himself in his work. It was how he kept from obsessing about Christa.

Ever since the first day of spring practice, Buzz knew this was a very special team. But Buzz buried himself in his work. It was how he kept from obsessing about Christa.

With great senior leadership and a very talented team the Warriors rolled into the fall with high expectations; they were not disappointed.  That year most games were over by halftime and Buzz was regularly playing JV and even freshmen to finish games. He was building a dynasty. The Warriors rolled through the regular season and the playoffs without being seriously challenged.

The day of the state championship, December 5^th, was a perfect day for football, clear skies, crisp air and an anticipation of a great game. With a conviction born of hard work and flawless execution the team was peaking at just the right moment, physically they were fresh and psychologically they were focused.   Many of the seniors would be playing on Saturday next fall so everyone was predicting a record crowd for the game. Buzz dressed out as many boys as the rule book allowed, hoping to let every kid play in the state title game.

Only one question troubled Buzz. Where was Christa? In four months the only contact was a postcard with a midtown Atlanta postmark that simply said, “I’m fine.”  Buzz resolutely pushed that question from his mind. He would deal with it later; he was determined to be in this moment for his boys, school, and community.

The perfect season had a perfect ending. The crowd of fans, scouts, and curiosity seekers watched one of the best teams in high school football history perform perfectly. The lopsided 31-0 victory was the result of Buzz’s restraint and not the level of competition.

After the trophy presentation, Buzz gathered his team in the field house.  Once the initial celebration and rowdiness had settled down he gathered the team in a semi circle and told them, “There are no rearview mirrors on a football helmet.” Then he paused, “But sometimes, it is okay to stop and look back and enjoy the view.” With that, he turned the boys loose.

Later that night, while the victory celebration continued down in the city square, Buzz sat in the seat Sandy always sat in, the stadium dark and silent.  Buzz sat alone, having the odd feeling of being a stranger in his own program and his own town.  Professionally, he had reached all of his goals, but he felt utterly alone.  For the first time since she left, Buzz gave himself over completely to thinking about Christa and the heart that was already broken and shattered.  Buzz sat in the dark and cried; it was the way he cried when Sandy died.  When he was done, he got up and went home-crying can accomplish only so much.  He went to Christa’s room and began searching.  When he found the boxes of his trading cards, he went to the kitchen table, made strong coffee, and started to work.

By noon the next day, he was walking in midtown Atlanta. With a backpack full of trading cards, thumbtacks, tape and staplers, he was leaving his picture in every sleazy bar, dive hotel, strip club and bulletin board he could find. Painful as it was to consider, Buzz knew that the big city had a way with young girls.  When he taped his last picture to a bus stop wall Buzz returned to his truck and then to Greenwood.

In the ‘50s, the Regent was a magnificent hotel, but now, like most of its patrons, it was a shadow of its former self.  It was the cheapest hotel in the worst section of Atlanta.   The Regent Lounge, located in the basement, was usually the end of the line for exotic dancers, but tonight was amateur night at the Regent Lounge and Christa needed money.

Christa was a shell of her former self.  She was thin, unkempt, and pale. She went up to the desk clerk. “I need a room.”

Without looking up, the clerk asked, “For an hour or the night.”

“How much for a week?”

“$150.00”

Christa calculated quickly and sighed. “I’ll take one night.”

As the clerk turned to get a key, Christa looked around. She glanced at the bulletin board with all its ads for massages and call out service. But something in the back of her brain fired a spark of recognition, the corner of something jumped out at her.  She stepped over and pulled down a flyer for a roommate. Looking at her was her dad’s face on a trading card, stapled a half dozen times, the trading card for Coach Buzz Sawyer smiled at her.

“Where did this come from?” She almost shouted. Heads turned. The clerk startled.

“What?”

“This picture.  This card.  Where did it come from?”

“I dunno.  It’s been there a couple weeks.  $25.00 lady.”

Christa didn’t hear him. She was shaking all over and trembling so badly she could hardly grab the card to pull it down.

“Hey, lady. The room is $25.00!”

Against her wishes, tears filled her eyes and spilled over to her cheeks. She wiped her face with her sleeve and turned the card over.

“Hey, you want the room or not?”

In the space for an autograph, she read, “No matter what you have done or become, I love you.  Come home.”

“Hey, lady, I’m waiting.”

Everyone in the little town of Greenwood knew it was going to be a tough Christmas for “Buzz” Sawyer.  He decorated a little more than usual, hung a few extra lights, had attended a few social events, but it was still very dark.  Even the Christmas Eve service didn’t brighten Buzz’s spirits.  As he drove home, he made his plans to be at the office early so he wouldn’t have to see families together on Christmas morning.

Buzz pulled into the driveway and sat for a moment looking at the nativity scene under the spotlight. He was flooded with emotions, of thoughts of Sandy and Christa, of the happiness of past Christmases and the loneliness of this moment. Looking at the nativity as he came up the sidewalk, he didn’t notice the Christmas envelope in the door until he reached for the doorknob.

He took the envelope, planning to open it another day. But it wasn’t sealed, it was already open. Inside, instead of a greeting card, there was a picture-not a picture-but his own face on a trading card.

Before he could process what this could mean, Christa spoke.

“Daddy, I’m home. Is that okay?”

“Honey, as far as I’m concerned there are no rearview mirrors on my heart.”

She fell into his arms. He hugged her and felt her shudder with great sobs. And through the mist that filled his eyes, it seemed that everything, even the nativity scene, was brighter.

I hope you have a blessed and bright Christmas

Charlie