Comments on: How Much Can We Give? http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/ a leadership, technology, and innovation blog for pastors and church leaders Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:05:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Chris Miller http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-1783 Chris Miller Sat, 10 Mar 2007 08:57:30 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-1783 One of the first things that attracted me to LifeChurch.tv was the fact that we say that when the offering bucket comes around, if you need, go ahead and take out. No church that i grew up in ever said that, and its amazing to have people say that, especially since most churches have gotten into the focus that the money is for them One of the first things that attracted me to LifeChurch.tv was the fact that we say that when the offering bucket comes around, if you need, go ahead and take out. No church that i grew up in ever said that, and its amazing to have people say that, especially since most churches have gotten into the focus that the money is for them

]]> By: Steve Waite http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-913 Steve Waite Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:59:59 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-913 Jesus didn't ask for any money. Why should churches? Give it all away and be blessed beyond your imagination... Jesus didn’t ask for any money. Why should churches? Give it all away and be blessed beyond your imagination…

]]> By: Kyle http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-884 Kyle Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:00:45 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-884 Wow Craig, that's a lot to ask for isn't it? by the way churches ask and ask and ask for money...i think you'd be kicked out of a few congregations for that kind of talk. and you know what??? KEEP IT COMING! ;0) simple words like those that shake up the idea how a church should operate is what we need more of. peace and love Wow Craig, that’s a lot to ask for isn’t it? by the way churches ask and ask and ask for money…i think you’d be kicked out of a few congregations for that kind of talk. and you know what??? KEEP IT COMING! ;0) simple words like those that shake up the idea how a church should operate is what we need more of.

peace and love

]]> By: Steve http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-882 Steve Thu, 22 Feb 2007 03:45:01 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-882 Good thought. I had a student ministries pastor who was always after me to let him do fund raisers, but I have always had this uneasiness about it. I think the church is here as God's gift to the world to give to it and not to take from it. Good thought. I had a student ministries pastor who was always after me to let him do fund raisers, but I have always had this uneasiness about it. I think the church is here as God’s gift to the world to give to it and not to take from it.

]]> By: Ray http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-872 Ray Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:12:37 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-872 Keep it coming Craig! Keep digging! Behind the veil lies the raw/real deal! Isn't that what we desperately long for? That raw, passionate relationship with our Lover, Jesus Christ! Kinda hard to see Him behind all the programs and sophisticated productions! BUT, He is there, waiting to be seen! Thanks for taking the time to post! p.s. You said you disciple/mentor some staff members. Is that 1-on-1 time with these people or a group setting. Keep it coming Craig! Keep digging! Behind the veil lies the raw/real deal! Isn’t that what we desperately long for? That raw, passionate relationship with our Lover, Jesus Christ! Kinda hard to see Him behind all the programs and sophisticated productions! BUT, He is there, waiting to be seen! Thanks for taking the time to post!

p.s. You said you disciple/mentor some staff members. Is that 1-on-1 time with these people or a group setting.

]]> By: Craig Groeschel http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-865 Craig Groeschel Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:50:25 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-865 J.G., Great thoughts... "How much of ourselves are we willing to give?" J.G.,

Great thoughts… “How much of ourselves are we willing to give?”

]]> By: J.G. Marking http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-860 J.G. Marking Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:10:22 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-860 Craig, I think you've hit upon a crucial point in ministry over your last two posts that subtly lays the groundwork for a powerful realization. The mindset of "How can we get more money so we can do more," is very limiting for individuals in the ministry because it possesses an undercurrent of, "we can't wholely rely on God to move in our ministry and change lives so we must overcome our ministry's shortcomings (whatever they may be) ourselves," whether we realize we're really thinking that way or not. The most effective and edifying churches I've had the privelege of witnessing and experiencing have had a perspective that you seem to be discussing here. Instead of, "How can we 'raise' more money" and "How much can we do," their penetrating question has been: "How much of ourselves are we willing to give?" When the answer is everything, the Spirit of God will not be hindered by anything. Craig,

I think you’ve hit upon a crucial point in ministry over your last two posts that subtly lays the groundwork for a powerful realization. The mindset of “How can we get more money so we can do more,” is very limiting for individuals in the ministry because it possesses an undercurrent of, “we can’t wholely rely on God to move in our ministry and change lives so we must overcome our ministry’s shortcomings (whatever they may be) ourselves,” whether we realize we’re really thinking that way or not.

The most effective and edifying churches I’ve had the privelege of witnessing and experiencing have had a perspective that you seem to be discussing here.

Instead of, “How can we ‘raise’ more money” and “How much can we do,” their penetrating question has been:

“How much of ourselves are we willing to give?”

When the answer is everything, the Spirit of God will not be hindered by anything.

]]> By: Sarah http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-859 Sarah Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:17:23 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-859 Kyle, My name is Sarah and I'm Craig's assistant. You asked how Craig keeps his schedule. In the near future he's going to blog about some FAQ's and he'll include some thoughts on this... stay tuned. Sarah Kyle,

My name is Sarah and I’m Craig’s assistant. You asked how Craig keeps his schedule. In the near future he’s going to blog about some FAQ’s and he’ll include some thoughts on this… stay tuned.

Sarah

]]> By: Kyle Sexton http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-858 Kyle Sexton Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:35:57 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-858 Craig, good word on money! I was listening to this radio show this morning and they are collecting money for a child in africa, at 68$ per year. The man mentioned that a church he used to attend gave away envelopes randomly filled with money amounts up to a 50 dollar bill. He said that the church explained that money was to be used for the community. He said that people were amazed that a church would give money away. He then said it made a huge difference in how he and his wife went about the next week. They received a large sum of money, closer to 50 dollars, in their envelope. They bought groceries ad would look for people to help during that week. It's amazing how money, when used in the right way, can influence a persons thinking and actions. Again, Good word on money! This is off-topic but how do you keep everything scheduled? Do you use a PDA or the old fashioned method. As a business owner/church planter I struggle to keep everything in order and progressing efficiently. I am sure others could benefit from your advice. Craig, good word on money! I was listening to this radio show this morning and they are collecting money for a child in africa, at 68$ per year. The man mentioned that a church he used to attend gave away envelopes randomly filled with money amounts up to a 50 dollar bill. He said that the church explained that money was to be used for the community. He said that people were amazed that a church would give money away. He then said it made a huge difference in how he and his wife went about the next week. They received a large sum of money, closer to 50 dollars, in their envelope. They bought groceries ad would look for people to help during that week. It’s amazing how money, when used in the right way, can influence a persons thinking and actions.

Again, Good word on money! This is off-topic but how do you keep everything scheduled? Do you use a PDA or the old fashioned method. As a business owner/church planter I struggle to keep everything in order and progressing efficiently. I am sure others could benefit from your advice.

]]> By: Craig Groeschel http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-857 Craig Groeschel Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:35:30 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-857 Joel, I have heard great things about the Daily Audio Bible. One reason our ministries might lack is because our ministries aren't generous. We expect our people to give generously, but we don't as a church. When I'm asking, "How much can we give?" I'm speaking from the perspective of the church giving... I've found that the more generous we are as a church, the closer we are to God (and He seems to bless His church in big ways). Joel,

I have heard great things about the Daily Audio Bible.

One reason our ministries might lack is because our ministries aren’t generous. We expect our people to give generously, but we don’t as a church.

When I’m asking, “How much can we give?” I’m speaking from the perspective of the church giving…

I’ve found that the more generous we are as a church, the closer we are to God (and He seems to bless His church in big ways).

]]> By: Joel Frederick http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/comment-page-1/#comment-855 Joel Frederick Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:56:53 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/02/21/how-much-can-we-give/#comment-855 Great question! I was talking to one of my pastors this weekend. I recently listened (<a href="http://www.dailyaudiobible.com" rel="nofollow">Daily Audio Bible</a>) through Moses building of tabernacle. God had to ask the people to stop giving as they were giving too much. This never seems to be a problem churches have. I don't know if that is because the people are not giving as they should (I am sure that is a factor) or because the needs seem so great. Great question!

I was talking to one of my pastors this weekend. I recently listened (Daily Audio Bible) through Moses building of tabernacle. God had to ask the people to stop giving as they were giving too much.

This never seems to be a problem churches have. I don’t know if that is because the people are not giving as they should (I am sure that is a factor) or because the needs seem so great.

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