This is a public forum to share ideas, ask questions, and reflect on being a pastor in the CRC.
Staci
Corey
Bonnie
Pastor Church 
James
In this recording, Phil Leo and Kurt Knoll, both from the Barnabas Foundation, share secrets from the nonprofit world for sustaining and expanding ministry. Tons of takeaways!
Barnabas Foundation makes it easy for you to answer this question with a resounding, "YES!"
On Ash Wednesday I decided to give up my afternoon cup of coffee and thus began the longest Lenten season of my life.
Faith Community CRC in Beaver Dam, WI has always found meaningful and creative ways to connect to their community in mission. Recently this required the church to decide whether their next pastor would be full-time.
Watch this recording of my Facebook live presentation about the variety of complimentary resources and services available to CRC churches from Barnabas Foundation.
It may already be too late. This creep is sneaky. Everyone is vulnerable, regardless of age, class, gender or race. I’m talking about “lifestyle creep.” It’s a thing—a very real thing.
Watch this video from my Facebook live presentation as I share details about the new Church Stewardship Survey and how your church can benefit from it.
No, my actual thoughts aren’t on fire. Instead, here are my thoughts on the FIRE (Financial Independence Retiring Early) movement that’s picking up steam and making headlines.
For better or for worse, what’s done now will tell your story later. Will your legacy reflect your Kingdom calling. . . or will it be fit for the dogs?
“Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” You know these words because you've felt them. Overwhelmed and without recourse, you've remained open to the possibilities of what only God can do.
When it comes to generous giving, it's not "either-or" but "both-and." It's not just "my family" but "my family" and "my neighbor."
Connect the dots is magical—at least for someone like me, who barely managed a passing grade in high school art class! In my work this past year, I've been connecting the dots between churches and Barnabas Foundation.
Lottery records will keep shattering. Dreams about how to spend untold millions will continue to be spun by throngs. Does that mean the Church can’t grow believers who know better?
Leaders at Pease CRC talked about a foundation for many years without any success. But recently their talk turned into action when the church established a Legacy Foundation through Barnabas Foundation.
In the past year since becoming Barnabas Foundation’s church communications director, I’ve realized many churches miss something critical that other Christian not-for-profits get. Let me share the secret.
Countless voices tell our children money makes the world go round. Parents must speak louder and say otherwise.
Few church members will receive fame and accolades the way Aretha Franklin did during her lifetime. But every believer, no matter how meager their circumstances, can learn a valuable lesson from her about important conversations with fellow believers and loved ones.
Join me on Facebook for a live discussion on Sept. 20, where I will host Rev. Michael Ten Haken, pastor at Pease CRC, to hear the story of how his church came to establish a Legacy Foundation and what a difference it has made.
A fascinating classroom experiment at the University of Maryland illustrates an important truth. Even a handful of saints giving sacrificially can make a really big difference.
Lecturing my millennial friend on the priorities of giving won't accomplish much. Truth is, he has a lot more to say about how and when church ministry will be paid for than I do.
The uncomfortable truth is that something is missing if our prayers and serving and witnessing aren’t coupled with generous giving.
More and more churches are exploring how their congregations can give beyond the offering plate. But deciding which digital company to use for these giving options is confusing! Here's some help.
It’s more blessed to give than to receive; but just how is blessing realized through giving? Who gets it? What does it look like? What do YOU think?
Jesus' agenda is radical because it orients us to God in the first place so that our living is shaped by God's priorities, instead of our own.
You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. IRS Publication 526 discusses the organizations that qualify to receive deductible contributions.