Book Review: God vs. Money by Clif Christopher

by Kristine Miller | August 15, 2018

In his book, God vs. Money, Horizons' founder, Clif Christopher draws on his experience as a member of the US Army to create a powerful metaphor intended to examine a potent enemy of the church—greed. In his typical direct, take-no-prisoners communication style, Christopher proclaims the theater of combat is our society that saturates our daily lives with messages of needing more stuff. Christopher uses “war language” to convey the importance of defeating the most significant deterrent to building disciples in our churches and ultimately funding the church’s mission.

Christopher says, “I truly believe that we must take the attack upon our Christian values by a greedy, self-serving society very seriously.”

Clif Christopher, who is an ordained minister of The United Methodist Church, pushes heavily on pastors to act as “drill instructors” who should model for others a generous life. Despite being subject to the same barrage of messages from the enemy, pastors must resist temptation and live a generous life. Pastors should be able to preach and teach biblical stewardship principles and draw from personal and authentic experiences.

Pastors are drill instructors who should model for others a generous life.

In subsequent chapters, Christopher expands on his metaphor to describe strategies for defeating the enemy in “the combat zone.” Fighting against the “you can have it all” mentality, the church must face the enemy head-on and counter the message of more is better. In God vs. Money, Christopher provides ample tools that can be immediately applied in every church to defeat the enemy grow disciples.

God vs. Money is a must-read for every pastor, stewardship chair, finance committee member, and church leader who wants to meet greed on the battlefield and reclaim biblical stewardship principles.

Here’s what church leaders are saying about God vs. Money:

Clif Christopher has done it again! In his usual direct and clear way, Clif calls the church and its leaders to engage the struggle of “God vs. Money" head on in a faithful and discipled way. I recommend this book as a "must read" for clergy and lay leaders alike who wish to lead congregations into lives of generosity and grace.

Carl Frazier, Jr., Lead Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Cary, North Carolina.

Books do not always mirror their author’s intent, God vs. Money does! Christopher’s book reads like a jeremiad. It is a “call to arms.” It is challenging clergy and congregations to declare war against the cultural god Mammon. It is also a training manual for growing generous congregations and disciples: people who make worship a priority, prayer a daily practice, giving testimony a way of living, community service a moral obligation and tithing a requirement of church membership. Read and imagine how such congregations might alter the landscape of a community…even the world.

Bill Enright, Emeritus Founding Executive Director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Former Senior Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis. Bill is the author of Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect With Their Donors.

For those of us who have learned from him for many years, this book is vintage Christopher! Again he shares very practical wisdom about the gospel, the church and money in an extended metaphor of spiritual warfare. Its sense of urgency for the mission of the church is compelling!

Scott Jones, Bishop, Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

God vs. Money is a must read battle plan for pastors and lay leaders who need to confront the ‘God of Materialism.’ It will equip them to discredit a god who preaches that all you need for happiness and fulfillment is a credit card and lots of stuff. It will help them focus their preaching or teaching on the God of Jesus who lived a spirit of generosity.

Charles Cloughen, Jr, Episcopal Priest, Planned Giving Officer-Diocese of Maryland, and author of One Minute Stewardship: Creative Ways to Talk About Money in Church.

[God vs. Money] is an excellent book and Clif is so on with what he is talking about. I do a lot of Sunday morning sermons on Stewardship and Generosity in churches all over the state of Nebraska. One of the first things that I remind them of is that everything they possess is God’s. I had a gentleman come up to me several weeks ago, and he thank me for the “pearls of wisdom” and for reminding him of what he has is God’s. He told me that he had forgotten that and it was good to be reminded.

I have several of Clif’s books and often use them as references in my talks. The church IS in dire trouble because they have forgotten why they give! Excellent, excellent book. I enjoy reading his books because they are easy to read, and he lays it out. You never have to guess trying to read between the lines. To the point and clear! I have always admired that about the way he writes. I most certainly endorse this book, and I will be purchasing one for the office.

Anita Crisp, Executive Director, Nebraska United Methodist Foundation

Clif Christopher is not only my “go to guy” when it comes to the stewardship of money, he’s also a long-time friend. I’ve read every book he’s written and each time I think it’s his best one. God vs. Money is no different. It’s a winner! Clif utilizes his experience as a pastor and chaplain in the military to lay out a life plan for raising up generous disciples. He declares war on the ungrateful life. You don’t want to miss this one.

Bill Easum, Founder and President of The Effective Church Group and author of over 21 books including co-authoring Dinosaur to Rabbits: Turning Mainline Decline to a Multiplication Movement.

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Where are People Meeting Jesus in Your Church?

by Mick Tune | Dec 5, 2018

I get all the effort made to engage donors … I really do! That attention and work is important for the success of your mission and ministry. People might be moved to donate a little something for a variety of reasons. Baby steps, right? Grow people where you can and as widely as you can. But, how do you develop stewards?

How do people move from being donors to being stewards?

That goal is not accomplished with a fund-raising or a data-mining strategy. Please, I am not picking on good, intentional, data-smart, fundraising strategies … great stuff that everyone should be doing to open the doors. But how do people move from donor-ism to stewardship?

Stewardship, I am convinced, is about a conversion experience –

not a moves management chart.

Stewardship is a leap of faith, not a next step in giving. Stewardship is a life change, not a habit adjustment. Stewardship is a joyful expression, not a dutiful chore. Stewardship is about the possibilities and potential in the world beyond myself. Stewardship is a life-altering choice that changes perspective, priorities, and my fundamental definition of who I am. So, how do you invite people to that place?

The story of Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10) speaks volumes here. Find a bible and read the short story right now. Besides being a “wee little man,” Zaccheus was a sinner (welcome to the club) and, of all god-awful things, a political tool tax collector. But he was curious about Jesus. Jesus noticed Zaccheus and invited himself to dinner at Zaccheus’s home. We do not know what they did or what they talked about (it is a very short story). We do know that Zaccheus decided to radically change his life in some very specific and very real financial ways. Jesus had something to say about the radical changes Zaccheus made.

Jesus’s response was not, “Good job upping your pledge this year!”

Jesus’s response was, “SALVATION has come to this house today.”

Salvation – that is a really big deal (which stewardship follows as an expression)! Perhaps we have been missing a step in our stewardship strategies. Perhaps we should also be focusing on how we provide the contexts and experiences leading people to exclaim that salvation has come to this house this day!

How do you get people to meet Jesus?

Not just to meet your church or your people or your programs or your fellowship, but to actually meet Jesus? I am not trying to be terribly trite or ridiculously religious here; but I am asking an important question – how do you invite people to meet Jesus in your church?

Stewardship is a result of connecting meaningful, transformational, conversion experiences to a clear sense of missional purpose and personal action.

Where does that happen in your church? In intentional small groups? Through hands-on mission opportunities? In deep relationships? In being the very presence and body of Christ? Probably not just in fantastic stewardship campaigns, awesome sermons, and cool programs.

I can help you raise more money. I can help you clarify your mission and call to action. I can help you to build trust and confidence. I can help you be more successful in all of these areas. All worthwhile stuff! But I cannot transform your life and make you a Steward. I can not bring salvation to your house. Only a real encounter with Jesus can do that. So, again, how are you (and we) helping your people to meet Jesus?

Mick Tune was a pastor for eighteen years and has worked as a consultant with churches across the country for more than twenty years. He is a partner with Doug Turner at Culture of Ready (a ministry partner with Horizons Stewardship) and the author of Wildering: Anyone’s Guide to Enjoying the American Wilderness.

Increase Giving: Begin with Powerful Storytelling

Whether in a capital campaign, annual giving, or planned giving program, generous giving happens when people believe your organization is changing people’s lives. Sadly, most churches try to grow giving by presenting data, finance reports, and line item budgets. This approach doesn’t work! Rather than share facts and figures, tell stories of how you are making an impact.

How does storytelling help grow giving?

The pastor called as I was getting off the plane. She said, “Scott, I’m being moved.” After a moment of stunned silence I asked, “When?” Her response shocked, surprised and even angered me. This popular pastor was being moved in the middle of the public phase of a capital campaign for debt. The debt we were funding was the result of building a multi-million dollar youth and community center.

Later that day I met with the capital campaign leadership team. They were grieving and I had little hope of a productive meeting. As I stood there pondering what I might say, the youth pastor came up to me and said, “Remember you asked for some video testimony from our youth? Well, I have a video if you’d like to show it.”

The youth pastor hit “play” and a handsome young man, about 14 or 15 years old, appeared on screen and told his story. He had been physically and sexually abused as a child. At the age of 12 he began drinking and then attempted suicide.

He said, “Life was not worth living and then someone invited me to youth group. It was the first time I knew I someone cared.” Then, looking into the camera, he said, “Thank you. Life is worth living. You saved my life.” With his permission, this video became the centerpiece of the campaign.

In the midst of grieving their pastor’s transfer, the young man reminded us of the importance of their ministry. The church’s generosity was having a life-changing impact. As a result, despite the pastor preparing to leave, the church raised more money in the second campaign than in the first.

The reason for such generous giving was powerful storytelling.

To inspire generous giving, donors need to hear stories of transformation. Financial reports fall on deaf ears and do nothing to inspire giving. In making the case for debt reduction, we might have said,

“We spent X dollars and we now have X dollars in debt with an interest rate of 6%. If we eliminate the debt we will save X dollars.” Then we would probably add, “Since building our youth and community center, we’ve grown our youth group from X to Y.” Yes, the facts are important.

Facts don’t inspire generosity. Stories of impact grow giving.

For example, after V.B.S., instead of reporting you had 25 kids and 15 volunteers, tell their stories. Ask parents to talk about the impact V.B.S. had on them and their children. Better yet, invite a child to talk about what V.B.S. meant to him or her. Ask volunteers to talk about the joy of serving and how they saw God at work.

How can you begin inspiring generosity with powerful storytelling? Here are some ideas:

Identify stories at staff meetings, leadership meetings, and program meetings. Be prepared for silence and blank stares. However, if you persist, sharing stories will eventually become the best part of your meetings.
Regularly ask people to tell stories in worship—send out video links, always with permission.
Solicit stories after significant events like V.B.S, mission trips, Bible Studies, youth retreats, etc.
Any communication, newsletter or email blast should include at least one story.
Personal giving statements, and other communication about finances, should include stories of how the generosity of the church members is transforming lives. Connect money with the church’s ability to do ministry. Tell people how their generosity is impacting people every day.
When you present the budget, resist reporting data only. Through powerful storytelling, you will transform your budget into a compelling tale of God’s work.

When you begin asking people to tell their stories, some people will argue they don’t have a story. However, each of us has a story to tell. You can help people get in touch with their stories.

Ask simple, yet thought-provoking questions such as…

What difference has the church made in my life?

Because of my relationship to God, how is my life different?

How is my life different because I…

went on a mission trip?
teach Sunday School?
attend youth group?
participated in a weekend retreat?
became more generous?
started to tithe?
attended a Bible study?

Do you want to inspire generosity and increase giving?

Instead of reporting facts and figures — tell stories. When the focus is on powerful storytelling, meetings become more enjoyable and newsletters, email blasts and financial statements come alive. In addition, you and your people will know that all the time, energy and yes, all the money, is in fact making a difference. And that makes it all worthwhile.

For more insights on powerful storytelling go here and here.

Scott McKenzie is a Partner and Senior Vice President with Horizons. Scott is a pastor, fund raising consultant, generosity coach and story teller.

How to Increase Your Church’s Giving in Spite of the New Tax Law

by Tom Norwood | Nov 7, 2018

The headlines suggest impending doom for churches:

“Charitable Donations Are Tough to Get Under the New Tax Law”

“Charities Brace for Giving Plunge in Wake of New Tax Law”

“Charities to Lose Billions in Donations Due to New Tax Law”

This is not the first time that changes in tax laws have resulted in such dire predictions. In 1981, the New York Times published this headline: “New Tax Law is Said to Endanger Billions of Gifts to Private Groups.” Fortunately for the nonprofit sector, that predication was wrong: gifts to charity over the next three years actually increased!

What impact will the new tax law have on charitable giving?

The long-term impact on philanthropy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) remains unclear. However, a strategic giving summit, led by Robert Sharpe of the Sharpe Group, highlighted new opportunities for donors made possible by the new law. Also, Sharpe suggested several strategies to grow giving to compensate for changes in the law. Here is an overview of Sharpe’s perspective on the law and the most effective ways to give going forward.

First, the reality. The new law was the most comprehensive revision in the tax code in over 30 years. The changes included a doubling of the standard deduction and a reduction in the mortgage interest and state/local tax deductions. Also, the cap on cash gifts was raised from 50% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to 60%. Limits on deductions for high income donors were suspended until 2026 and home equity interest deductions were eliminated. As a result, it is expected that half of the people who itemized their deductions in 2017 will not itemize in 2018. However, high income donors who will continue to itemize may find expanded opportunities and incentives for larger charitable gifts.

So, how can churches guide donors? What can be done to salvage the tax benefits for those who no longer itemize and promote new opportunities for those who do?

Sharpe suggested three strategies: bunching, boosting and bypassing.

Bunching refers to donors making charitable contributions every other year. The every-other-year strategy enables donors to bunch two years of giving into one allowing them to itemize in the year their gifts were given. As an alternative, donors can contribute to a donor-advised fund (DAF) every other year and give ½ to the church each year. This strategy helps the church’s cash flow but can skew income if the church is not aware of the donor’s intentions. Some of your donors may have done this last December. You should review your 2017/2018 giving, especially among your larger donors, to see if they may be using a bunching strategy already.

Boosting is most applicable to capital campaigns. Some high capacity donors may choose to make asset gifts that boost them to itemizer status for a number of years. Donors choosing this option lock in current market values, bypass capital gains taxes, and save a substantial amount on state and federal taxes. Boosting makes sense for donors who have highly appreciated assets that pay minimal dividends and who want to make a larger gift to a capital campaign.

Bypassing is the third way to take advantage of the changes in the tax law. Donors can enjoy a “deduction equivalent” by making gifts that bypass their income stream. The most common form of bypassing is the IRA rollover provision in the tax code. People age 70 ½ and older who have IRAs are required to take a yearly minimum distribution (RMD) that is taxable as ordinary income. These people are now able to make a yearly gift of up to $100,000 directly from their IRAs to churches and charities. This gift counts as their RMD, avoids the taxes, and reduces their AGI on which many other deductions are based. Although the IRA rollover provision predates the new tax law, its importance has been amplified by recent changes and by the increasing number of Boomers becoming eligible.

Finally, Estate and Gift Tax laws remain essentially unchanged. However, by doubling the exemption amount ($11.18 million per individual and $22.36 million for married couples in 2018) and indexing it for inflation, the TCJA eliminated federal estate taxes for 99.9% of Americans. For some perspective on the scope of this change, the exemption was $600,000 as recently as 2000. As a result, it is likely more discretionary assets will remain in the typical estate. Surveys show that donors with such increased assets probably will split the tax savings between family and charity.

So how should churches respond to these changes? Here are some suggestions:

Educate yourself, your staff, and donors about the changes that impact charitable gifts. The TCJA left the charitable deduction intact while repealing and limiting many others. In fact, some benefits were actually expanded! Many denominational and community foundations have staff whose primary job is providing advice and resources for their constituents. Take advantage of these low-cost (or free) resources. The Sharpe Group has excellent white papers and educational materials, too. “Talk to your financial advisors” should be your mantra in 2018 and 2019!

Promote the benefits of gifts of appreciated securities and other non-cash assets, such as IRA rollovers. Because about 8,000 Baby Boomers turn 70 ½ every day, appreciated asset gifts will be increasingly important in funding your ministry. Remember the IRA rollover provision allows eligible donors to enjoy the tax benefits of their gifts regardless of whether they itemize. However, your church will not receive asset gifts unless you make a conscious effort to educate members about these opportunities. Remember to tell donors how these gifts make a substantial difference to your mission and ministry. Colleges and nonprofits are making the case for why they should receive these gifts. Be sure you are doing the same.

Inform your donors that the federal estate and gift tax has, for all practicable purposes, been eliminated. Many donors created estate plans based on the old tax laws. Those plans usually included insurance or assets in trusts to pay the necessary taxes. Any bequests to family and charities were made from the remaining assets. The higher estate tax exemption means donors can leave more to charity and increase the amount distributed to family members! Position your church to be the recipient of these “extra savings.” Once again, take advantage of the resources available through denominational and community foundations.

The new tax law does not mean your giving will be negatively impacted. But growing giving requires being informed about the best ways to give.

Too many church leaders are operating under the assumption that the TCJA will have a negative impact on giving. Robert Sharpe reminded us that the “sky has never fallen” except during major economic downturns. It is clear the opportunities made possible by the new law outweigh the threats created by it. Churches need to tell that good news in order to enhance their ability to proclaim THE Good News!

Tom Norwood, D.Min, CFRE is a Senior Vice President with Horizons. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister who holds degrees from Davidson College, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Yale University. Tom is a regular speaker at regional and national fundraising and stewardship conferences.