As January rolls around again, many of us put our mind to planning for the year ahead dreaming of all that wed like to achieve, and how were going to make it happen.
Its also a time of year that we think more deeply about our finances, reviewing our savings pots and thinking about how best to steward the resources entrusted to us.
Thats true of churches as well as individuals, and the start of a new year is a good time to take stock of all God's done in our communities over the previous year, and look ahead to discern what God has in mind for our churches in 2017. As part of this, its a chance for us to take stock of our resources and identify better practices for developing generous giving to support our church's mission.
The good news is that there are two new resources to help us:
Giving for Life: Continuing the Journey
Copies of this helpful guide are winging their way to your PCC in February. Look out for it, and put aside some time now for your PCC to review your stewardship practice.
Talking about money in Fresh Expressions
If your church includes new worshipping communities, this guide is a helpful way for you to think about generous giving within that context. New worshipping communities are not bound by years of tradition and therefore have a wonderful opportunity to establish new models and patterns of considering how to encourage sacrificial, generous giving amongst its community.
Meet Clare Fussell
Clare is new to the diocesan team, and here to support your church in raising income and thinking about stewardship and encouraging generosity.
Shed love to hear from you, so do drop her a line at