The new Giving USA report is out, and there are three numbers in it every congregation should pay attention to. Giving to religion barely kept pace with inflation while other sectors grew by double digits. Bequest giving jumped nearly 20 percent for the third time in four years. And people gave generously even while consumer confidence stayed low. I wrote up what this means for churches thinking about stewardship, planned giving, and campaign timing.

There is something about a glacier that strips away pretense. It does not care about your five year plan. It does not care about your fundraising goals. It simply is, ancient and patient and enormous, shaped slowly over time by forces far larger than any single decision. Standing there, cold air filling my lungs, I felt the kind of clarity that rarely comes in a conference room or during a strategy session. It came instead in stillness, in openness, in a posture of listening rather than planning.

A retreat experience is close to what I encourage some church leadership teams to consider before they launch a capital campaign.

A retreat, in this sense, is not a conference and it is not a business meeting moved to a nicer room. It is an intentional stretch of time, often just a day or an overnight, spent somewhere unfamiliar enough to loosen the grip of routine. Leadership teams that take this step are not running from the work ahead. They are preparing for it.

The newest Giving USA report landed with a sobering data point for church leaders: religious giving was the only philanthropic sector to decline in 2024 once you adjust for inflation. If you're a pastor or board member weighing a capital campaign, that headline alone could make you want to shelve the idea.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every "decline" is a congregation full of people who still believe in something bigger than themselves — and that belief, properly invited, still moves mountains. Here are three signs of hope worth holding onto.

How much money can a church raise? It's usually one of the first questions church leaders ask — and rightfully so. Before you dream about new construction, a sanctuary renovation, or finally retiring that lingering debt, you need to know what's actually possible. The answer isn't a mystery, but it does require some nuance.

I have a lot of respect for the do-it-yourself instinct.

When I was first getting started in ministry, our church tackled everything in-house — painting fellowship halls, repairing roofs, wiring sound systems. There is something deeply right about a congregation rolling up its sleeves and doing the work themselves. It builds ownership. It saves money. It honors the tradition of lay ministry that runs through the heart of the church.

So when a church leadership team tells me they're considering running their capital campaign in-house, I don't dismiss that instinct. I take it seriously. Because it comes from the right place.

But then I have to be honest with them.

There is a moment in many church concerts when something shifts. The music fills the sanctuary, and you look around and realize that the people seated beside you — the ones leaning forward, eyes closed, moved by what they're hearing — are not members of the congregation. They drove across town for this. They read about it in a community arts newsletter or heard about it from a neighbor. They have no particular stake in the life of this church, and yet here they are, unmistakably part of something.

You can eliminate your church debt as an act of faith and response to God’s call on the future of your congregation.

Getting the whole church to support a campaign is a lift and it is not impossible. Here are some steps to getting everyone on board for the ministry of a capital campaign.

If your Indiana congregation has been sensing a call to launch a capital campaign — but concerns about cost keep getting in the way — there’s a resource you may not know about.

Church repairs are often the catalyst for considering a capital campaign.

God calls a church to consider a capital campaign that will impact generations to come. The discernment of this call and the response to are pivotal times in the life of a congregation!

Are you ready for a capital campaign? There are seven signs to determine the readiness of your congregation. A capital campaign is an important step in the life of a congregation and you want to be as ready as you can for this ministry experience.

Lentils and Leadership explores the role of Shammah in 2 Samuel and relates it to the tasks and missions we are called to lead in our stewardship ministries.

This story of the fig tree in the Gospel of Luke, resonates deeply with the process of preparing for a capital campaign in ministry. Just like the fig tree, a campaign requires the right conditions, careful nurturing, and time to bear fruit. Some organizations may be ready to launch a campaign in just a few months. Their "soil" is fertile—strong leadership, clear vision, and a united congregation or team. For them, the conditions are perfect, and the campaign can move forward quickly.

Use the summer months to prepare for an impactful church capital campaign this fall. Brainstorm ideas to allocate funds for building needs, ministry growth, staff support, or an endowment. Gather feedback from leadership groups and the congregation to ensure the campaign aligns with your church’s mission and community needs. Build a diverse leadership team to champion the effort. Decide whether to run a stand-alone campaign or integrate it with your annual stewardship appeal for added synergy. By planning ahead, you can create a compelling vision, engage your congregation, and set the stage for a successful autumn kickoff. #ChurchCapitalCampaign #Stewardship #ChurchGrowth #MinistryPlanning

Our congregations are made up of people from multiple generations and that has an impact on how stewardship is viewed, practiced, and communicated. This article dives into the benefits and practical impacts of those differences.

The recent ice storm brought unexpected challenges to many Midwest churches. Damaged roofs, broken windows, and compromised structures have disrupted worship services and raised concerns about long-term building maintenance. While the immediate focus is on repairs and ensuring the safety of congregants, this unfortunate event presents a unique opportunity for deeper reflection and discernment. Is there more work to be done on our worship and ministry spaces for the future?

Is your congregation called to a capital campaign for 2025? Is there a ministry that you need to expand or more space needed for ministry? Here are some tips and thoughts to help you get started on the path to a capital campaign.