A Better Offering

When in-person worship came to a screeching halt in 2020, many church leaders lamented, "What are we going to do if we can't pass the plate/basket for the offering?" Creative pivoting happened for many who sought to navigate the unexpected pandemic and post-pandemic path. The result-funding for ministry and mission that exceeded pre-pandemic projections. Many lamenters were surprised when they heard themselves say, "We never have to pass the plate again!" Donald A. Smith is a generosity strategist, mentor, and coach to pastors and church leaders. Author of the book, "A Better Offering: 5 Unmistakable Habits of Generous Churches," Don encourages readers to use the challenges of this unimaginable season as an opportunity to assess every practice in the church, especially those related to generosity and communicating the mission of the church.As a former pastor, Smith offers a host of stories from his own life, from his fruitful pastoral ministry, and from his work as a generosity strategist to churches and their leaders. Ultimately, he invites church leaders to envision a better offering and to consider five unmistakable habits that churches have found to be effective in growing generosity. In his Foreword to the book, Dr. J. Clif Christopher (a colleague of Don's who has authored many books on generosity, including "Not Your Parents' Offering Plate") writes: "For the last fifteen years Don has become a mentor to countless pastors and congregations while helping to bring new life in our changing times to the churches he has served. Now it is his turn to write his story so that even more people can learn from his vast experience. Every pastor and financial leader of a congregation should read and study this book, then use it." Don's story will equip churches to tell their stories in a way that will inspire greater generosity. The result-a better offering.