May 6, 2008
Funding miracles through church giving
The accomplishments of Brandon Baptist Church are worth sharing. It's amazing to think about what this church has accomplished without a "real" pastor.
Enjoy!
Miracle Sunday
Brandon Baptist Church began with about 350 members who wanted to have a church that would be a conservative, traditional church whose governing authority would be vested in the congregation and put its trust in God's Holy Spirit for direction. The congregation would rule itself rather than be a church-staff-ruled body of believers. A charter was secured along with a constitution, and on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003, the church was constituted with 556 charter members. Today it has grown to over 950 members.
During the early life of this group they worshiped in a school cafeteria and used the classrooms for Sunday School. Soon they were able to build new facilities and faced a debt of about five and a half million dollars.
In four short years they were able to pay the debt down to one million dollars. At the end of 2007 they were in such good financial state that they paid $250,00.00 on the remaining debt bringing the balance to around $750,000.00. During this time they lost their pastor and associate pastor. The 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal was $30,000.00, and the church received over $32,000.00. An interim pastor was called in October 2007. He shared with the church his goal to bring the church together in unified purpose and to help them become debt free. He explained, "This church has great growth ahead of her, and when the new pastor arrives, you need to be debt free so he can help you build additional facilities for that growth."
In February the interim pastor asked the church to participate in the Chest of Joash. This financial program is based on II Chronicles 24:1-14. This is the account where King Joash asked the people to place money in the chest when they arrived to worship. He also informed the people that the chest would be left near the gate and would not be removed until they reached the goal.
A Brandon Baptist Church member skilled in woodcraft built the chest, and it was placed down front in the sanctuary. Special Chest of Joash offering envelopes were printed and distributed to the members.
The interim pastor began the promotion on February 24 and allowed four weeks of emphasis. Since the church had its birth on Easter, it was fitting for Easter to be chosen as the MIRACLE SUNDAY to begin the debt reduction offering. On Easter Sunday the congregation marched to the Chest of Joash and gave a total of about $186,000.00 cash. This was in addition to their regular tithes and offerings.
It should also be noted they did not reduce their giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering that was to be raised at the same time. That goal was set at $20,000.00, and a week later that offering reached $15,250.00. There is little doubt this congregation will soon reach that goal, also.
In addition, it should be mentioned that over these five years Brandon Baptist Church gave $516,517.13 through the Cooperative Program for world missions. They also raised $140,721.28 for International Missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. North American Missions were not forgotten because the church also gave $35,909.24 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. They also participated in the Margaret Lackey State Mission Offering giving $21,002.96, and added to that they donated $47,690.08 to the work and ministry of The Baptist Children's Village.
It also illustrates that no church has yet to reach its full giving potential. There is always room for people to give more. The problem is not they are unwilling to give and it is not that they are tired of giving but that pastors and church leaders sometimes get tired of asking. When that happens, you not only lose the blessing, but you rob your people of the blessing of giving.
This story should help all of us remember that interim periods in a church do not have to be a time when churches tread water waiting to begin anew when a new pastor arrives. The interim period can be a wonderful period of transition from one ministry to another.
One lady introduced me to some of her friends, but she could not think of the word "interim." She stumbled over a few words trying to think of the word "interim" then said, "Dr. Mixon is our preacher until we get a real one."
You can say and do a lot when you are "the preacher," but not the real one!
Dr. Jerry W. Mixon is the Director of Stewardship and Cooperative Program for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
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September 25, 2007
Stewardship and Giving Testimony
I read Ed Owens' testimony on Generous Giving this morning. Below is an excerpt. But let me encourage you to read the entire testimony.
I’m telling you this because I was by no means a giver, let alone a generous giver, before Christ came into my life. In fact, I was a taker. I took from people in relationships; I took money; I took time, and I hoarded up my talents for myself. Just ask my wife, who worked at giving to me, just to hold our marriage together.
So, in 1991 God changed me from one oriented solely toward myself to one who at least saw that I needed Him more than money. But, still, at conversion, I did not gain an immediate understanding of how I should relate to money. In the New Testament, Zacchaeus gave away half his goods when Jesus found him, and the rich young ruler failed to follow Jesus because he wouldn’t give away his great possessions. But for me, it’s taken some time to learn what to do with the resources God has given me.
Read his entire testimony here.
I'm not sure we are prepared or can even begin to comprehend what God would be able to do if we stopped being takers and started being givers--givers of our time, talents, and money.
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July 30, 2007
Wednesday night supper
I've been to a lot of Wednesday night suppers. And most of them leave a lot to be desired. My experience has been low average attendance, ok food choices at best, and generally an activity of the church that loses money or breaks even at best. I've even attended a church that cancelled Wednesday night suppers due to low participation.
But this one is different.
I recently started pastoring (part-time) a small church just north of town. The average Sunday Worship attendance is 100. But our average attendance on Wednesday night is about 200. The food is out of the this world good. (Or as we say in the south - "Smack your mama" good!) And at just $6 a plate for adults, this Wednesday night supper has become one of the most profitable ministries of our church.
Yes, I said profitable. In 2006, these two ladies orchestrated a series of meals that generated more than $30,000 in profit. The church took the profit and applied it directly to the building program that was in process at the time to pay down on the mortgage. (Keep in mind this is before the loan had closed.)
And we're on track to generate even more in 2007.
Further, it has become one of the most successful outreach programs our church has in place. Every week almost 100 people come who don't attend our church. And yesterday another young family joined after being introduced to our church through our Wednesday night suppers.
Not bad for a former legal secretary and a retired advertising executive.
Just wanted to brag on two of my church members who "get" that stewardship is about doing something with the opportunity and talent God has given you.
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July 16, 2007
Success stories needed
One of the goals that I have for this blog is to be able to share success stories. Let's talk about what worked. This is always furtile ground for new ideas that pastors and church leaders can use.
So, have you experienced success in the area of stewardship and giving in your church? What did you do? What was the outcome?
(Be sure to include a way for others to contact you in case they want to ask further questions.)
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