Recapturing the Heart of Jesus is the theme of our 2024 District Conference, to be held at First Alliance Church in Billings, MT, April 8-10. The RMD family will gather for prayer, ministry from the Word, and the biennial business matters of the district. While the meetings are required for all official workers, I believe you will…
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Given the timing of this month’s newsletter, I thought it might be worthwhile to provide a few points related to charitable contributions and reporting. Some might be a review, but I hope most find the information helpful. Charitable Gift Timing Checks- The date the check is mailed is deemed the date of delivery. There are two exceptions:…
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There are various ways to approach creating ministry strategy. Here is one approach that has been helpful to me over the years: Goals, Content, and Environments. Goals Before embarking on a trip, you need to know the destination, and the same is true when developing strategy. Therefore, the first step is to look ahead to…
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2024. Doesn’t saying that just sound unusual? For some, there may be dread associated with this coming year — you guessed it — another political season! The U.S. Presidential election will be Tuesday, November 5th — and the two weeks following as one friend of mine said recently! My guess is we’re going to experience a lot of spin! Things…
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I probably don’t need to convince you that short-term mission (STM) trips have value. From coming alongside partners and providing a boost to long-term work, to being a tool that God uses to shape us into the image of Christ – including the call of many into full-time vocational ministry, there is abundant worth in…
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This article contains your annual end-of-year checklist of financial tasks. Some should be completed before January 1, 2024. Here’s to finishing 2023 strong and getting off to a great start in 2024! Designate housing allowance. Housing allowance should be set at a board meeting before January 1. Housing allowance can only be declared prospectively (that…
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Eighty years ago this New Year’s Eve, Henry Deutschendorf Jr was born in Roswell, NM. His dad, Henry Deutshcndorf Sr, was a military man so young Henry lived in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona California, and Texas before Henry Jr. grew up and moved to Colorado. Young Henry began using his middle name and changed his…
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For Lori and I, November is the month with a number of birthdays. Lori’s late father and her youngest brother have the same date of birth in November. Lori has two cousins that have a birthday in November and I have one whose birthday is in November. Finally, our two daughter’s oldest children were each…
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Year-end giving can have a big impact on annual budgets. Between the joyous spirit of the holiday season and the December 31st deadline for tax-deductible contributions, this time of year is the most popular time for giving to the church. I have heard it said that churches may receive an average of 30% of their annual donations in…
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If you have ever been through a Church Planter Boot Camp or Prepare to Plant Training you know that part of that training focuses on the mission of the church and how to implement that mission. Among the important components that are discussed, three are of particular importance: Mission: why the church exists. Strategies: how the…
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