[Note: Every Thursday during the month of December, I’m going to pick three links I’ve cataloged in my Del.icio.us account during the previous week. This site houses 100’s of links related to stewardship, generosity, and giving – and the list grows almost daily – that can be easily searched and used for sermon preparation, committee prep, funding strategy, etc.]

Here are my top picks for the week:

1. 2010: Daunting Challenges Face the Nonprofit World

Thoughts: The top 400 fund raising charities expect to see a median decline of 9% in donations in 2010. I think it’s safe to assume that even though 2010 will mark a new year, we are still dealing with a recession hangover. I tend to see this differently though. I think it’s an opportunity for the church to clarify its message, make its case, and achieve the necessary funding levels to carry out the ministry God has called us to do. While there are tragic stories, I’m also bumping into church leaders who are experiencing growth in giving in the midst of the recession. Take a look under the hood in 2010 and make sure everything is running as it should. (And that metaphor is as close as I’ll ever be to a mechanic.)

2. Social media a challenge for nonprofits

Thoughts: A study reveals that while 90% of nonprofits have a social media presence, only 50% are active users. Serious? Why? There is really no excuse for not leveraging social media (and traditional media) to build community, inform your givers, and inspire generosity through measurable acts of ministry. If you’re not actively using social media, then REPENT and BE SAVED! (OK…maybe that went too far.) But you really should invest in a tool your church members are already using to find, build, and maintain community.

3. The solution to dysfuntional annual report nightmares

Thoughts: I really like how Jeff Brooks (one of my favorite bloggers and thinkers in the world of raising funds) turns this traditional NPO practice on its head by changing the name from an annual financial report to a “Gratitude Report.” It honors the vital and critical role the person in the pew plays in funding the work of the Kingdom. Giving is based on trust. Doing what you say you will do reinforces why someone gave the first time and is the best route to gift number 2…3…and so on. This is a great tool every church ought to consider in Q1 2010.

I hope this link collection is helpful to you in your ministry. Be sure to visit my Del.icio.us account regularly for updates or subscribe via RSS.

And always feel free to send links to anything you think is missing.