Of all the Sundays of the year, Rally Sunday is the one where a positive, exuberant atmosphere is appropriate. It’s Kick-Off Sunday! Exciting things await you and your congregation.

And our lives, for the most part, should be expressions of joy. Joy must be at the core of why we give because all the gifts we have – time, talents, and treasure are to be returned to the One who has given us life.

Post-Olympics Blues will soon fade away but the glow of a well-written official or hand-written TY note will last for a good long while. Just keep remembering, thank you letters make a difference.

However, we are also creatures of habit…especially in the mainline church. We do love our fall pledge campaigns. Or maybe you’re looking to doing a January campaign. Like National Public Radio, you can count on them like clockwork.

So, what’s your plan?

There are three ways you can go – and all can be successful.

There are still too many congregations (and I hope you know who you are) who are not giving people the opportunity to give electronically. It’s not too late. Electronic giving is not going away.

Friends, it’s been a crazy (and I mean a crazy) few weeks. No doubt, books will be written about this short window in our history.
But will it mean anything as you look at your giving and stewardship focus?

Who can you surprise this week with a simple “thank you”? Think about someone who would least expect it and then do it. Guaranteed, you’ll feel good and so will the person you thank. Unleash the power of serotonin!

But you know what? I love what I do.
Why?
Because I’ve seen joy on the face of a person who has given to an amazing cause.
How do you overcome your own fear – or is it embarrassment? – when it comes to asking for money? Remember…

Everyone wants their pastor to succeed. Everyone wants their congregation to be thriving and vibrant. To make this a reality requires generosity of spirit, time, and yes, financial resources.

There are so many things to say about Lewis’ courage, his radicalness, his willingness to lay his life on the line numerous times to save the soul of our nation. These are all the things we need to hear. Things we need to reflect upon.