September 2026

Stewardship Habits for a New Appointment

The first months of a new pastoral appointment can shape a church’s culture for years to come — including how the congregation understands generosity. Drawing on more than four decades of ministry experience, Ken Sloane offers practical ways pastors can weave stewardship into discipleship from the start, build trust, model generosity and connect giving to mission. Discover simple steps for planting seeds of generosity that can bear fruit long after those first months.

Smart Ways to Give Before December 31

Help your congregation make the most of year-end giving. As December 31 approaches, our Year-End Giving flyer highlights two tax-smart ways to support your church: making a qualified charitable distribution directly from an IRA or donating appreciated securities. The flyer explains eligibility requirements, potential tax benefits and simple steps for completing a gift before the year-end deadline. Download the flyer and share it with your congregation through your church newsletter, email or social media.



Want to do even more? We also offer free, customizable year-end giving brochures for your church. We’ll personalize them with your church’s information, making it easy to provide your members with helpful guidance as they consider their year-end charitable gifts. Contact us to request your brochures today.

OFFERING FREE TOOLS FOR 
STRONGER MINISTRY

The Foundation offers free resources to help your church strengthen ministry, encourage generosity and plan for the future. Check out the ready-to-use materials for year-end giving and All Saints Day celebrations! These tools make your work a little easier.

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Look Beyond Next Year's Budget:

Planning for Your Church's Financial Future

Budget season is more than just planning for next year. It’s an opportunity to look three to five years ahead and consider how your church’s financial resources can support its mission for the long term.

This article explores the building blocks of a strong financial plan — from operating budgets and reserves to capital needs and endowments — and offers practical guidance for creating greater stability, encouraging generosity and preparing your church for future ministry.

The next application deadline is November 1!

Funding is available and ready to find a home in your ministry context. Check out our guidelines to see how your church's program needs fit our policies, and/or email us to schedule a call.

We're cheering you on!

JUST FOR FUN