The Top 8 for 2018: Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot

Well hello, 2019. We’ve been waiting for you.

I do hope your Christmas season was a good one. I trust that you celebrated appropriately by going to a few church services and eating lots of cookies.
 
It was also a great time to see movies. My favorite? Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Now I know a lot of you are saying, “It’s not my cup of tea. I’m not into action-hero movies – especially if they’re animated.” Well, I thought that, too. But this movie was so funny, touching, inventive, and visually arresting that I discovered that it could be just what the doctor ordered. Two thumbs up. Go see it and have a blast.
 
Before we head straight into 2019, it’s time to take one look back at 2018. You know, should auld acquaintance be forgot and all. Refresh your memories with me – and see what the top eight posts of 2018 were. Personally, I was sad that my Mr. Magoo Christmas post did not crack the list. Go figure.
 
In reverse order and to keep you on the edge of your seat...
 
#8:  Perhaps, the Most Important Person a Visitor Will Meet. Check out the best and the needs-improvement experiences I had at four churches.
 
#7: "Overhead" is Not a Dirty Word.  Feel bad about paying for light and water? How about your salary or the salary of your finance person? Well stop. It’s all part of ministry.
 
#6: 6 Types of Stories that Spur Generosity. One of these kinds of stories could and should be employed every week in your congregation.
 
#5: 5 Tips: The Website and the Small Church. It’s easy to forget that not all churches are in urban areas or have bigger congregations. Valuable ministry is definitely happening in rural areas and in churches that have smaller congregations. Here are the very basic things you’ll need for your website.
 
#4: 5 Tips for Your Best Year-End Letter. These tips are good not just for your year-end letter but they’re pertinent for any letter where you’re asking for money to support a cause. This blog post was about formatting. It’s critical to read Part 2 of this two-part series, “3 Content Tips for Your Best Year-End Letter.”
 
#3: Your Giving Statement: From Boring to Wow! Your giving statement tells a story. Make sure the one you tell inspires more generosity.
 
#2: Digital Giving: The New Normal. Digital giving is not going away. It’s an opportunity to let people give in a way that they like best. Part 2 of this series provided some ideas about how to get the electronic giving discussion going.
 
And drum roll please:
 
#1: The Surprising Power of a Thank You. For the second year in a row, a “thank you” post made the #1 spot…and that warms my little heart. This blog post came after an unexpected person thanked me for a donation. It unleashed some mighty nifty serotonin. Read about it and then go surprise someone with a “thank you.”
 
Whew! You made it through the top eight posts of 2018. Let me know if there was one that you are surprised didn’t make the list. Thank you too, for letting me know when you like a post or disagree with one. I love hearing from you.
 
Now, let me know if there’s a topic you’d like to see explored in 2019. I’m always looking for new ideas. Email me at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com
 
Thank you for being terrific such readers. Here’s to a great year of inspiring generosity. Happy New Year!