This week, we are discussing four financial commitments I’ve made and that I’m challenging you to make. Today, let’s examine commitment #3: 3. The commitment to become an expert on biblical stewardship. I don’t think I had a single class on stewardship in seminary, so I had to go searching for the knowledge. Here are the books that helped me … Read More
Give More Than the Tithe – Pastor’s Financial Life: Part 3 of 5
This week, we are discussing four financial commitments I’ve made and that I’m challenging you to make. Today, let’s examine commitment #2: 2. The commitment to give more than the tithe Within weeks of becoming a Christian I was taught the biblical principle of tithing. I remember thinking: “What a great deal! God has gives me heaven and forgiveness and … Read More
Live Debt Free – Pastor’s Financial Life: Part 2 of 5
Yesterday, I talked about four financial commitments I’ve made and that I’m challenging you to make. Today, let’s examine Commitment #1: 1. The commitment to be DEBT FREE for the rest of my life. In 2002, just after Kelley and I had started The Journey Church, we were surprised to discover that we had over $16,000 in credit card and … Read More
Pastor’s Financial Life: Part 1 of 5
For the last two months I’ve been preparing for Financial Peace, a new series we started on Sunday at The Journey. This preparation made me think about my own financial journey. If you know some of my story (and I won’t repeat it here) then you know that in my teenage/pre-Christian years I made a lot of money writing computer … Read More
3rd Quarter Giving Statements
It’s October 2 so its time to start thinking about your 3rd Quarter Giving Statements. I haven’t written our third quarter letter yet but I will post it here as soon as I do (for a sample of my 2nd Quarter Giving Letter click here). The obvious issue to address in the letter is the ecomony. My letter will be … Read More
Where There’s Slack There’s Lack – Part 6 of 8
SYSTEM #6: THE STEWARDSHIP SYSTEM Wednesday has rolled around again! Time for the weekly installation of our eight-part “Where There’s Slack There’s Lack” series. I’m particularly excited about the system we are looking at today. It’s a crucial system and one that’s surrounded by a lot of questions and misconceptions… Have you ever had a hard time getting new believers … Read More
How to Survive an IRS Audit
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I’m being audited by the IRS. The case is ‘almost closed’ although there are still some minor paperwork issues to be handled. Hopefully everything will be settled by August. As it turns out, everything was ‘proper and in order’ with my 2006 return but I did learn some important lessons. First, I was … Read More
Stewardship Seminar – Video Webcast – Last Chance!
In less than 48 hours, we will be doing a video webcast of my Stewardship Seminar. Why don’t you join me for the event? It’s Thursday, July 24, from 9:00am – Noon Eastern Time. Here’s how it works: – I’ll be teaching the seminar live here in NYC to a great group of pastors – You will watch the video-stream … Read More
Do You Have Enough Money?
Let me guess… No! None of us ever feel like we have the money we need to do all of the ministry we want to do. But the truth is that you have enough money to do everything God has in store for you and your church. The question is not whether it is there; the question is whether or … Read More
Break the Summer Giving Slump with a Mid Year Giving Statement (plus a free download of my letter)
If you’ve listened to my Stewardship Seminar then you know that I’m a fan of quarterly giving statements. The IRS only requires that you send “Giving Statements” once a year (in January) to everyone who has given financially to your church but I recommend you do it four times a year. Even if you can’t send giving statements four times … Read More