I recently had a conversation with a friend about people who have not returned to in person church attendance since COVID-19. Granted, some of these found the extra four hours each weekend simply hard to give up, while others, I suspect, already had one foot out the door and found the pandemic a convenient opportunity…
Author: Tim Deatrick
The Blessings of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously…
What’s Been Going On?
It’s been a few weeks since my last post on Out of Ur, so I wanted to take a moment to update you on some of what’s been going on. First, travel season has resumed. By Thanksgiving, I’ll have spoken in fifteen churches in eight states this fall. I enjoy the opportunity to get to…
The Ministry of Giving: Part One (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)
I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your…
The Donor’s Bill of Rights
The Association of Fundraising Professionals has developed a Donor’s Bill of Rights as an ethical standard for not for profit organization fundraisers who solicit gifts. Does your church or favorite charity employ these standards?
Financial Transparency (2 Corinthians 8:16-24)
“But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. He was…
The Maui Wildfires
One of the churches I have the privilege of working with is Hope Chapel, located in Maui. I was able to communicate this week with them, and yes, the need is great. Here is an excerpt from an email I received from Jim Franks who serves as the Church’s Executive Pastor: There are many ways…
What Are You Doing With Your Surplus? (2 Corinthians 8:11-15)
Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving…
What Pastors Wish They Were Better Prepared For
An excerpt from recent Barna Research on the decline of job satisfaction among Pastors asked respondents what they wish they had been better prepared for in seminary. As I reflected on the data, I realized two things. First, some of the items mentioned were not concerns when I went to seminary, such as technology or…
No Greater Example (2 Corinthians 8:8-10)
“I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could…
