Get Inspired for 2023! The Top Six Posts from 2022
Happy New Year! Did you survive the holidays? Good.
Clergy friends: God bless you for the yoeperson’s (not actually a word but you get the idea) service you gave to your congregations. Christmas Eve! Christmas Day! New Year’s Day! It was never-ending! So, thank you. Here’s hoping you are getting a well-deserved break. Oops, I just remembered…church is on Sunday. Well, whatever you do, find a moment for yourself and for reflection.
Speaking of reflection, I am not very good at it. Mostly because it would require for me to be quiet and not doing three or four things at once. Hmmm…maybe a New Year’s resolution is writing itself?
However, once a year, I do make it a priority to look back and see what blog posts resonated with you the most. So, before we get started with too much hilarity and frothiness for a new year, here are the six posts – backwards…to build up the anticipation – that you read and shared with abandon.
#6: 4 Wordle-Worthy Ideas for Your Congregation
Do something fun for and with your congregation. Surprise them with your, dare I say it again, “frothiness”?
#5: We Can’t Do That. My Church is Full of Old People.
Have you heard someone say this before? Puhleeze, banish this phrase from the lexicon.
#4: Should Clergy Tithe to their Congregation?
I was surprised by the outpouring of comments. If you want to read how a variety of clergy and laity responded, read Should Clergy Tithe to their Congregation – You Respond, Part 1 and Should Clergy Tithe to their Congregation – You Respond, Part 2.
#3: Thinking about a Fall Pledge Campaign?
You do know, January is the perfect time to start talking about stewardship, right? Make a plan how you will promote the spiritual discipline of generosity throughout the whole year. And, decide when you’ll have your fall pledge program (there are some examples in this post too).
#2: 5 Stewardship Books to Read
Ah, the new year. A perfect time to commit to reading one or two books to inspire giving in 2023. Take a look and see what were my 2022 favorites.
And…drum roll please -
#1: Pay Attention: The Pew Study on the Future of Religion in the U.S.
Clearly, this post touched a nerve focusing on our collective worry about the future of the Church in our society. While some of the signs are ominous, you and your congregation still have an important role to play in your community and in our world. Don’t let anxiety overwhelm you in 2023. Take a look at a few suggestions I offer to get your year started on the right track.
As we look to the new year, dear readers, what is it that you are most interested in learning about? Do you have any suggestions for a future blog post? If you do, drop me a line at Inspiring Generosity.
May God bless you as you start this new year – excited about the possibilities for furthering the work of God in a world that so needs God’s love. And while you’re at it, find humor and joy whenever and where ever you can. It’s God’s secret sauce.
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Speaking of frothiness, here’s a new skill for you to learn this year: How to use the right milk for your latte art (she is not making this up). You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com or on Facebook or at CesieScheuermann.com and one more…cesieds@horizons.net.
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