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Worksheet for congregational financial health

Worksheet for congregational financial health

A worksheet to help congregations evaluate their financial situation during Covid-19 is available from Dr. Jerry Kingston, Special Bishop’s Associate for Mobility, and ASU Economics faculty member from 1969 to 2011.

The worksheet is based comparing available liquid assets for the period May 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 to two sets of costs: (1) legally-required expenses; and (2) legally-required + pledged expenses to the synod and the churchwide organization. The worksheet is available as a PDF or Word doc.

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 16, 2020Comment

Ten Ways To Keep Your Church Healthy and Discipled During the Outbreak

Ten Ways To Keep Your Church Healthy and Discipled During the Outbreak

One of the ELCA’s preferred vendors, Tithely offers a guide to lead your church through the coronavirus. Discover the strategies your church needs to know to go digital and thrive in this free guide.

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 13, 2020Comment

COVID-19: eGiving in Times of Crisis

COVID-19: eGiving in Times of Crisis

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the globe, churches have not been insulated from the devastating virus. That means fewer people giving and supporting your good work. It also will possibly affect your church’s finances.

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 9, 2020Comment

10 Ideas for Church Financial Leaders Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

10 Ideas for Church Financial Leaders Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

The following list of ideas is specifically directed to financial leaders across the church to help with sustaining the church and its ministry (and perhaps growing it in areas) as we live through these Coronavirus days.

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Comment

Reformation Lutheran Participates in Peer Ministry Review

Reformation Lutheran Participates in Peer Ministry Review

In March, Reformation Lutheran Church of Las Vegas became the first congregation to participate in an intentional Peer Ministry Review. Ministry reviews have been done for other congregations, but usually at the request of Synod or Churchwide leadership.

A big thank you to Pr. Jason Adams for the invitation to conduct this insightful process and to the review team for their diligent work and recommendations.

Colorado River Conference, Pastor Gomez-Acosta, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 8, 2020Comment

4/7/2020 Prayer: Pray for congregations responding to coronavirus

4/7/2020 Prayer: Pray for congregations responding to coronavirus

Pray for our congregations and full communion partners responding to the impact of the coronavirus and the evolving challenges of caring for spiritual and physical needs of members, nurturing community in new ways, serving neighbors in need, helping with financial stewardship, and proclaiming the hope and good news of Jesus Christ in times of anxiousness and uncertainty.

Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 7, 2020Daily PrayerComment

Lutheran World Federation: Holy Week and Easter liturgies

Lutheran World Federation: Holy Week and Easter liturgies

Lutheran World Federation offers liturgies for Holy Week and Easter worship in a time of physical distancing, a simplified form of many worshiping traditions within the Lutheran communion and our ecumenical heritage.

In this time of pandemic, we as a communion are particularly called to keep our hearts united as we “watch and pray,” trusting that Christ always comes through locked doors.

Holy Week, Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Lutheran World FederationComment

4/6/2020 Prayer: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

4/6/2020 Prayer: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

4/6/2020 Prayer: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 6, 2020Daily PrayerComment

Holy Week @ Home resource guides, with audio/video files

Holy Week @ Home resource guides, with audio/video files

Vicar Beth Gallen of Grace Lutheran, Phoenix, shares these resource guides for individuals who are cloistered, as well as households already sheltering in place. Audio and video have been added.

Worship Resources, Grand Canyon Synod, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2020Grace Phoenix, Capital Conference, 2020 Holy Week, CoronavirusComment

April 2020 Daily Prayer Ventures

April 2020 Daily Prayer Ventures

These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. Download a Word doc, or PDF for letter size printout or legal size printout, or view the ELCA resource page.

ELCA, Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Six tips for fundraising through a pandemic

Six tips for fundraising through a pandemic

Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta shares six tips for congregations from a recent GSB Fundraising presentation.

Don’t stop inviting people to be generous.
Be in contact with your congregation’s top 10 givers.
Check in with the congregational council.
Transition to electronic giving.
Maintain offering time during online worship.
Communication is crucial.

Pastor Gomez-Acosta, Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardApril 1, 2020Comment

Spirit of Hope offers Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class

Spirit of Hope offers Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class

Spirit of Hope Lutheran is offering the Dave Ramsey FPU class starting April 13th at 6 PM Mondays. View the flyer and sign up online at this link: fpu.com/1116428. Note that this class is now meeting online only.

Rio Salado Conference, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Spirit of Hope MesaComment

Mission Investment Fund and ELCA Federal Credit Union offer assistance

Mission Investment Fund and ELCA Federal Credit Union offer assistance

Eva M. Roby, President and CEO of the Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, shares a letter of commitment and reminder that MIF stands with the Grand Canyon Synod. Read her letter here. If congregations have special needs at this time, please reach out to Amelia Dawkins, MIF’s Vice President for Lending, at Amelia.Dawkins@elca.org.

The ELCA Federal Credit Union is also prepared to offer similar assistance to its members at this time. Credit Union member pastors and congregations that may be facing hardship should contact the Credit Union at info@elcacu.org or visit www.elcafcu.org.

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Comment

Distribute FFCRA's new Notice of Employee Rights

Distribute FFCRA's new Notice of Employee Rights

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued the required Notice of Employee Rights under the FFCRA. Employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to distribute this notice to all current employees as of April 1, 2020. Employers may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees, or posting this notice on an employee information internal or external website. Download the notice here.

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 31, 2020Comment

Free online meeting from ELCA Coaching Ministry: April 1, 2020

Free online meeting from ELCA Coaching Ministry: April 1, 2020

ELCA Coaching Ministry is hosting a free virtual meeting: Being Church in the Time of COVID-19. Recordings of presentations and follow-up documents can be found at elcacoaching.org.

Sharing Our Grief and Our Hope with Those We Serve
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 1:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/180439412, Meeting ID: 180 439 412

Covid-19, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 26, 2020Comment

3/26/2020 Prayer: Congregations preparing for storms

3/26/2020 Prayer: Congregations preparing for storms

Remember in prayer congregations and communities that are preparing for spring and summer storms and living with the uncertainty of what this year will bring. Pray that God will protect them, equip them to respond and calm their anxiety.

Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 26, 2020Daily PrayerComment

3/25/2020 Prayer: Jesus Christ, loving shepherd

3/25/2020 Prayer: Jesus Christ, loving shepherd

Bishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.

Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 25, 2020Daily PrayerComment

3/24/2020 Prayer: Óscar Arnulfo Romero (1917-1980), bishop of El Salvador

3/24/2020 Prayer: Óscar Arnulfo Romero (1917-1980), bishop of El Salvador

Bishop Romero was assassinated for his courageous, gospel-driven work and his advocacy for human dignity, social justice and the rights of the poor and marginalized. Give thanks for his witness and impact and for those in the church and society who continue to fight for justice and the interests of people in Central America.

Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 24, 2020Daily PrayerComment

Political activity and tax status

Political activity and tax status

It is important for each congregation and its leaders to understand what political activity is permissible to maintain the congregation’s tax exemption. Being a Public Church is a guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process, an effort to expand the role of the church in encouraging faithful and non-partisan voter participation by providing faith-based resources around voting.

ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 23, 2020Comment

3/23/2020 Prayer: Practice of accompaniment

3/23/2020 Prayer: Practice of accompaniment

Pray that our church’s understanding of the theology and practice of accompaniment will deepen as we walk together with Lutheran, ecumenical and interfaith sisters and brothers around the world.

Prayers, ResourcesBrian FlatgardMarch 23, 2020Daily PrayerComment