1. A new approach to church budget communication
2. Top 5 lessons I learned as a freelancer in 2011
3. 5 characteristics of conversation
4. Guest Post: Your church is a brand and 5 reasons it matters
5. 4 keys to building a sustainable freelance business

Thanks for reading!

• 10 things you should never do on Twitter, Facebook, or Google Plus
• What hashtag will people use at your funeral?
• 5 new realities of marketing you can’t ignore
• Social media should lead to personal interaction
• A new approach to church budget communication

If you’re a regular reader and have a favorite not mentioned above, I’d love to know which post was your favorite in 2011.

Josh is a financial planner who has built a consulting firm around the idea of helping people discern and accomplish their life plan. His speciality is not just helping you invest money but also gain clarity about what it is you want to do with that money.

Josh is a believer who is passionate about helping others not only increase their generosity and decrease debt but understand what to do with the other 90 percent. This eBook is one I looked for when I graduated from college but couldn’t find. It spells out all the dimensions of money in a way that provides context and balance for those looking to gain their first financial foothold and those looking for a more specific, mature financial strategy.

I strongly encourage you to download the eBook and consider how Josh may be able to provide a fresh perspective as our culture seeks to make sense of the new normal of money.

What steps are you taking to implement a balanced financial plan for your life?

What about about database analytics for the rest of us?

Now that I work with a variety of organizations, I’m amazed at how many nonprofits and churches with multi-million dollar operating budgets don’t invest in this kind of vital business intelligence and process mapping. The prevailing practice — in many instances — is to “just go with it” and see what happens.

I can certainly understand why:

• The urgent squeezes much of the opportunity to pause for analysis of any kind.
• The availability of people who can perform such work is often limited.
• The salary  for a database analyst (when you do find the fight person) is often out of reach for many nonprofits and churches.

My goal is to remove obstacles for my clients, so I’ve found a way to provide database analysis for the rest of us.

It’s really simple (on your part at least):

• You identify the questions you’re trying to answer. (e.g. What age groups are growing in total dollars given? Who has increased/decreased their giving in the last 12 months?, etc.)
• We help you get the data we need out of your existing database. (e.g. ERP, ChMS, etc.)
• We process the data, put it into graphs and charts you can use internally, and offer insight into what we discovered.

Here’s what you can do with this information:

• Modify existing workflows or organizational strategy for better performance. (Huge area for growth among existing clients is in the area of assimilation and donor tracking.)
• Adjust your existing content strategy.
• Evaluate new initiatives or areas of opportunity to invest time, money, and people. (Stop leading with your gut.)

Take a look at some redacted charts and graphs we’ve created for some of our clients. Databases are powerful tools if used correctly. Part of harnessing the intelligence captured in this one place is understanding how to interpret and report over the available information. The questions you’re asking (or maybe afraid to ask) are probably hidden within the data you’re already collecting.

How do you use database analysis to inform your content marketing strategies for mission-critical functions like donor acquisition, cultivation, and relationship management? For churches, how can you be sure your assimilation process is engaging people who are then investing in your ministry with their time, talents, and resources?

Only read this eBook if…

• You are serious about year-end giving.
• You are looking for a tactical approach.
• You want proven advice.

Don’t read this eBook if…

• You think people will just give to your church.
• You refuse to talk about money.
• You are satisfied with the status quo.

Now is the time to start preparing. Are you confident you’re doing everything you can to maximize this season of giving? If not, download this free eBook to guide you through the process.

You can view and download Long Hollow’s Compelled Ministry Plan for 2011, and be sure to check out the interactive dollar on their giving page.

What is your church’s approach to church budget communication?

You could read a library full of books on how to cultivate high-capcity givers. Let me save you the trouble. The key is: listening. Are you creating an environment where you are listening to those individuals and uncovering what is most important to them? If you don’t, a very intentional development officer already is and will absolutely secure the gift that might have dramatically changed the financial trajectory of your church, no matter how big or small.

Are you an 18-second listener, or are you giving people the chance to express themselves without your preconceived notions getting in the way?

Let’s see what Tom Peters has to say about where we fall short in our listening habits:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwB7NAvKPeo]

1. Church giving is not my responsibility.
2. They never taught us about that in seminary.
3. I’m not a numbers guy.
4. That’s why I hired [insert name of another staff member].
5. Talking about money isn’t spiritual.
6. If I just have enough faith, God will make sure we meet our budget.
7. We have all the money we need to do all the ministry we can.
8. I’d rather talk about anything but church giving.
9. As long as we’re paying the bills, I don’t need to think or talk about money.
10. If I talk about money, people will complain or leave the church.

Every pastor who makes excuses about church giving leads a church that is struggling when it comes to funding ministry. I find it ironic that the churches who don’t make excuses are thriving.

Are you making excuses or taking action? Pastor, giving IS your responsibility.

Here are four popular posts about year-end giving:

• 3 components of a church year-end appeal
• 11 ways to turn year-end statements into dollars
• 4 key elements to include in your year-end appeal
• Your year-end mailing schedule

What will you do differently this year related to year-end giving?

Here are 10 tips for you to consider:

1. Whatever you think it’s going to cost to plant the church…double it.

2. However long you think it’s going to take to achieve consistency in your congregation’s giving habits…triple it.

3. Develop three financial plans. One is consistent with your current cash flow and expenses. The other plan is be your “dream plan.” The third and final is a master plan that outlines how to get from where you are today to your dream plan.

4. Evaluate and adjust your budget every 90 days based on your actual giving and expenses.

5. Find a way to relieve the income pressure at home. It may make sense to have some source of personal income outside the church itself until the giving history produces a level of confidence that you can consistently meet payroll.

6. Read every book, article, etc. you can about fund-raising. It is most likely an unfamiliar concept to you but is also the very function that will make or break your ability to survive long enough to achieve any measurable impact.

7. Find people in your core launch group or in the community who have experience with growing businesses, raising capital, etc. This will probably never be your strong suit and offers the perfect opportunity for another to offer their time and talent in a unique and substantive way.

8. (This is more personal than organizational.) Find a CPA who will help you navigate personal tax issues. You don’t want to waste your time in court, pay obscene penalties, or demonstrate a lack of integrity or intentionality when it comes to personal money management.

9. Your core leadership team should be giving generously. If they aren’t, find some new leaders.

10. Pastors who are generous can and do lead their churches to be generous. It never works the other way around.

What practical tips would you offer church planters related to ministry funding?