Pastors, staff members, church leaders, and Sunday School teachers are always encouraging those under their instruction to spend time in God’s Word. However American churches are becoming more spiritually anemic as the years go by. Is the church having the influence it should? Recent LifeWay Research numbers show only 22% of Americans say they read though the Bible regularly, and one third of Americans say they never read the Bible.

In Phoenix last month at the Southern Baptist Convention, I noticed a new resource coming out this fall from LifeWay. It’s called The Daily Discipleship Guide. This type of resource is not new, but I was impressed with this one. It’s from the Explore the Bible family of small group/Sunday School resources. I encourage you to check it out this fall. (DOM’s don’t get commission!)

The lack of Bible reading certainly has led to a lack of biblical doctrine. These stats from LifeWay Research of how American Christians view theology today is sobering to say the least.

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SUMMER GIVING - WHAT’S IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR?
Every year many churches hold their breath as they enter the summer months concerned about the giving patterns and faithfulness of their membership. Research has shown us several dominant characteristics of churches that have kept giving strong during the summer.

1. PLACE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON BELONGING TO A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS OR SMALL GROUP.
(This one works all year, not just in the summer.) LifeWay Research shows that Sunday School attenders give six times more than those who only attend a worship service.

2. OFFER MULTIPLE GIVING VENUES.
Per-member giving increases when churches offer more options, and if they’re gone this summer their giving shouldn’t drop off as much. Options are: Sunday School, Worship Service, Online Giving, Mailing Offering Envelopes, Automatic Bank Drafts, or Kiosks in the foyer of the church. Young people don’t write checks.

3. SET A SUMMER GOAL IN CHURCH GIVING.
People always give more if they are shooting at a goal. Tell the church what we need this summer.

4. PREACH ON BIBLICAL GIVING.
Many pastors might prefer another topic, but if Jesus spoke dozens of times in scripture about our stewardship of material possessions, we can too. In the 1980's and 1990's, some pundits did surveys of unchurched people who indicated they didn’t go to church because “all those people talked about was money.” I personally doubt the legitimacy of that statement, but it was an excuse they used and many pastors bought it. Of course Christians can be overbearing about a lot of things, but failing to teach financial stewardship is unhealthy.


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