Christian Charities Look for Cyber Monday Donations

(AP Images/Paul Sakuma)

It’s Cyber Monday. That means millions of consumers will flood the Internet looking for online bargains in what has become the busiest Internet shopping day of the year. By some estimates, Cyber Monday revenue will top $1 billion again in 2011.

But virtual shoppers can give back while cashing in on Christmas deals—and Christian charities are hoping they do.

The charitable giving trend is expected to continue despite another holiday season faced with a struggling economy, according to a Harris Interactive study. Of survey participants, 51 percent say they're now more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present this year. And 80 percent of adults say they'd prefer to receive a "meaningful gift" that would help someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift like clothing or electronics.

International Christian humanitarian organization World Vision is proving this study out. More than half of the $32 million contributed through the organization's annual holiday Gift Catalog were funds raised through its online catalog.

The virtual store features more than 250 untraditional holiday gifts including cows, chickens, mosquito nets and microloans that are purchased on behalf of families living in impoverished communities.

"This year, World Vision is issuing a challenge to all Cyber Monday shoppers to consider items in the Gift Catalog," says Traci Coker, national director of the World Vision Gift Catalog. “We know times are tough but we also know shoppers are looking for gifts that are impactful. As long as you're going to be doing some shopping online, why not include a meaningful gift?"

Givers can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact on people in areas where extreme poverty is a reality.

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog helped provide assistance to more than 800,000 people around the world. Since launching the catalog in 1996, World Vision has raised more than $162 million.

Dear God, Thank You for This Crummy Job

I remember the days when I bounded out of bed, ready to seize the day.

Back then, work was a joy. My coworkers banded together as we found new solutions to fix problems. My chain of command was empowering. My duties were challenging and fresh, engaging my mind and abilities.

That was yesterday.

These days, the workplace has a certain sense of gloom. The economy hasn’t treated my company well. When I enter my building, it seems as if half the lights are dimmed, probably to save electricity. But it certainly doesn’t help the atmosphere.

Many of my coworkers have left through early retirement or have been forced out through downsizing. Those that are left have the duties of two or three, with no other resources to call on.

All the managers are stressed, trying to keep the fiscal boat afloat while still delivering a valuable product. At times the duties are creative and challenging, but I mostly find new ways to tell a continuing saga of sagging revenues, depressed demand and a bleak future. It’s a crummy position to be in, for sure.

I sense that I’m not alone. As I talk to friends, I’m finding that many of them have gone from the rolls of short-term unemployed to long-term. Others are underemployed, finding work as temps or part time workers, benefits trimmed or stripped outright.

And for those that are still working, they have to do way more with way less.

Rather than let my employment challenges drag me down, I’ve decided to take back the workplace for God’s glory, and I’m doing it through an attitude of gratitude. The seed of thankfulness was first planted by scripture, “In all things give thanks.” It was watered by The High Calling editor, Ann Voskamp, with her book, One Thousand Gifts, where she dares me to “live fully”, right where I am.

So, I’m putting the challenge into action. And it’s working.

First of all, I’m thankful I even have a job. When I think about my friends Steve and Becky, and a host of others stuck in pervasive unemployment, my complaints just feel wrong.

I’m thankful for the challenge, and even the frustrations. Through fire and trial, I’m becoming God’s man.

I’m thankful for the out-of-control schedule, the 117 unopened e-mail messages and the drop-everything-projects. I think there’s some patience to be gained in all this.

I’m thankful for my coworkers, and I often find myself saying this sort of prayer: “Lord, bless them in the stress.” We’re in this together, and using a calm voice of reason might just work wonders.

I’m thankful for every penny that my employer sends my way. I haven’t always earned it.

In every way, I’m grateful for this crummy job.

Image by Ben Fredericson. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by David Rupert.

A Fundamental Shift in Holiday Giving?

New Study on Long-Term Impact of the Great Recession on Charitable Giving

SEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The struggling economy continues to affect holiday spending and holiday generosity. According to a World Vision study, more than 7 in 10 (71%) Americans report that they'll spend less on holiday presents this year because of the current economic climate. This number has remained nearly the same three out of the last four years. This trend appears to reflect a fundamental shift in how Americans perceive holiday generosity. This is the third year World Vision has commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct research on holiday charitable giving. This is the second year the U.S. and Canada have been included in the same comprehensive study.

 

Key findings:

Americans Expect to Spend Less on Holiday Gifts

71 percent in 2011 - 69% expected to in 2010 - 57% in 2009 – 71% in 2008

 

But Americans want those dollars to mean more. Because more than half (51%) say they're now more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present this year. Again, this number has remained nearly the same three out of the last four years (51% in 2011, 51% in 2010, 38% in 2009 and 49% in 2008). And 4 in 5 adults (80%) say they'd prefer to receive a "meaningful gift" that would help someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift like clothing or electronics. This number is identical to 2010 (80%). About 7 in 10 U.S. adults (71%) – the same proportion as 2010 (71%) – agree that they plan to increase their charitable giving once the economy improves. In 2010 that number was exactly the same (71%).

 

Americans More Generous?

 

The phone survey, conducted October 26-30, 2011 also says that U.S. adults are more likely than Canadian adults to have experience with both giving and receiving charitable gifts: More than 2 in 3 U.S. adults (68%) have given a "charitable gift" that honors a loved one, compared to just over half of Canadian adults (55%).

 

"It is worth noting that while the proportion who wants to receive a meaningful gift has been steady over the past two years, it is still an increase since the low of 76% who felt this way in 2009," reported Michele Salomon, Senior Research Director at Harris Interactive. "This suggests that the relevance or meaning of the cause, charity, or gift becomes more important for people as they make giving decisions in a strained economic environment."

 

FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN HOLIDAY GIVING?

New study:

 

"This survey shows once again that, during uncertain economic times, Americans continue to prioritize helping those in need," says Traci Coker, World Vision-US Gift Catalog Senior Director. "Even more so than our neighbors to the north, Americans want to reach out with charitable gifts like those found in the World Vision Gift Catalog this holiday season."

 

"A gift given from the Gift Catalog significantly improves the life of a child or family in need by providing tools and opportunities to overcome extreme poverty, while at the same time honoring your friends and loved ones," says Coker. For each World Vision gift, the giver can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member, or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. In the months that follow, the gift itself or intervention reaches a child or family in need.

 

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog raised more than $32 million and provided assistance to more than 800,000 people around the world. This year's projected goal: $34 million. World Vision launched the Gift Catalog in 1996. Since then it's raised over $162 million dollars. And while a goat ($75) may be World Vision's number one seller, there are more than 100 gifts (many under $35) to choose from.

 

To order in the United States: www.worldvisiongifts.org or call toll-free 888-511-6511.

 

World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog on facebook:www.facebook.com/worldvisiongiftcatalog         

 

About the poll:

 

This poll was conducted by telephone within the United States and Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, Inc. between October 26 and October 30, 2011 among 1,007 U.S. adults ages 18+ and between October 27 and October 31, 2011 among 1,021 Canadian adults 18+. (for complete methodology contact John Yeager jyeager@worldvision.org).

 

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world's poor, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visitwww.worldvision.org.

Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem by Stephen Blandino - ChurchLeaders.com - Christian Leadership Blogs, Articles, Videos, How To's, and Free Resources

Intensity plus time plus God equals Momentum.

Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem by Stephen Blandino - ChurchLeaders.com - Christian Leadership Blogs, Articles, Videos, How To's, and Free Resources: "Dave Ramsey has helped millions of people navigate their finances, break out of debt, and take a path toward financial freedom. He has also worked hard to lead his organization with excellence and create a healthy organizational culture. In another post I shared some of the insights of Dave Ramsey’s Organizational Culture."

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Os Hillman to Headline Economic Summit in Grande Prairie, Alberta Nov. 10-13

Os Hillman

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alberta, Nov. 8, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- One of the featured speakers at KEYS Canada will be Os Hillman, president and founder of Marketplace Leaders, Cumming, GA. Hillman is a pioneer and forerunner in the modern marketplace reformation movement that is integrating faith and work, and empowering business and financial leaders to exercise spiritual influence and authority in their workplace environments.

Hillman is a serial entrepreneur who has authored 12 books, including The 9 to 5 Window and The Upside of Adversity. His latest book is entitled Change Agent! Engaging Your Passion to be the One Who Makes a Difference. You can purchase it atwww.ChangeAgentBook.com. Hillman also offers a Change Agent video series and weekend seminar, and will be presenting several sessions from those. Cost of the Keys Canada webcast is $111.11 for all keynote sessions and worship. The event starts Thursday, Nov. 10th at 7:00 pm MST and ends Saturday, Nov. 12th at 10 pm MST. The Keys Canada weekend will close with a communion service Sunday at 8:30 am MST.

"We are delighted and thrilled to bring leaders of this caliber to the heart of the world-famous Alberta Tar Sands region," said Dr. Bruce Cook, founder and convener of the summit, known as K.E.Y.S. (Kingdom Economic Yearly Summit). Cook lives in the Austin, TX, area and is Founder and President of VentureAdvisers Inc., Kingdom House Publishing, and Kingdom Venture Partners, and is a director and/or trustee of four other companies, including Merging Streams Financial Network LLC.

Patterned loosely after the World Economic Forum, but with a Christian focus and perspective, K.E.Y.S. Canada will feature more than a dozen keynote speakers -- including Cook and Hillman - such as Dr. Gordon Bradshaw, Dr. Doug Atha, Dr. Mark Kauffman, Charlie Fisher, Marc Brisebois, Glen Boyd, Carolita Oliveros, Wende Jones, Fulton Sheen and John Anderson. 

Grand Prairie Mayor Bill Given will welcome the Summit delegates and attendees on Friday, Nov. 11 at 9:00 am, followed by a 2nd welcome from First Nations representatives Art and Lori Auger from Grande Prairie, and then a brief awards ceremony honoring the late Sylvan Swanberg and Frank Bigel of Grande Prairie. 

K.E.Y.S. and GBT will be donating part of the proceeds from Keys Canada to a local community nonprofit organization named Rising Above, which ministers to the homeless, jobless, abused women, needy children, etc. www.RisingAboveGP.com.  

Summit worship leaders are Krista Fisher and Peter Christensen of Grande Prairie. Personal prayer ministers are Jess Bielby and Charles Robinson. Intercession leaders are Jon Grieser, Wigs Bello, Yvette Jobson and Tammenthia Diesel. 

Venue for K.E.Y.S. Canada is the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, located near downtown and the airport. Schedule is registration 2:00-7:00 pm Nov. 10th and opening session 7:00 pm -12:00 midnight, then Nov. 11-12 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. The Summit will close Sunday, Nov. 13th with a final service from 8:00 to 9:30 am. 

For more information on K.E.Y.S. Canada, visit their web site atwww.KeysCanada.org or call toll free 1-877-409-3663, ext. 701. Registration includes all meals on site. Group rates are available, with an 11% discount offered to groups of 11 or more.

Black Friday Becomes Bless Friday® -- Bless Friday® Nearly Triples in 2nd Year

HOUSTON, Nov. 8, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Houston and Galveston area churches and Christian organizations are providing an alternative to frenzied Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (MDPC), Beacon of Light Christian Center, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fair Haven UMC and Mission Milby are each scheduling community service projects on Friday, November 25. These churches ask families and individuals to celebrate Bless Friday® as an alternative to Black Friday.

Chuck Fox, founder of Bless Friday®, states, "I am excited that Bless Friday® expanded in its second year. People get our message that when we focus too much on buying things, we lose sight of the real reason for Christmas -- remembering and honoring Christ. We want to begin our Christmas celebration by serving others just as Jesus did."

He further says, "I'm also pleased that multi-church organizations such as the Presbytery of the New Covenant, The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas recently advertised Bless Friday® in newsletters or on their websites. The publicity and endorsement helps us reach more people." More information is available at BlessFriday.org or by contacting Chuck Fox at 713-502-6356.

Dave Peterson, Sr. Pastor at MDPC states, "We want to transform lives as people reconnect to the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I am especially thrilled when children and youth participate. It changes how they view the season." MDPC congregants are volunteering at local ministry partners (Star of Hope, SEARCH), painting a Hurricane Ike damaged home or participating in a service project they can do at home with family and friends. More information is available at bless.mdpc.org or by contacting Jan Roe at jroe@mdpc.org or 713-490-9552.

Beacon of Light Christian Center plans to invite the surrounding community to its church, located at 6655 London St. in South Houston for a day of fellowship and caring. The church plans to serve the community the entire day by offering food to the hungry, clothing to those in need, and activities for people of all ages. Pastor Anthony Gasery states, "Our community is filled with people who financially overextend themselves at Christmas. We want to show them a more positive and more spiritual way to celebrate." For more information please contact Myree Francis atmyreelfrancis@yahoo.com. 

St. Luke's will hold a pot luck lunch at the Gethsemane campus where participants will prepare blessing bags of non-perishable food items for distribution to the homeless and needy. Mireya Ottaviano, event organizer states, "Many at St. Luke's want to spend a portion of the day giving thanks by sharing with others and send a message that Advent is about celebrating our values, not focusing on material things." More information is at 713-774-7693.

St. John the Divine will send one group to The Beacon to serve food to the homeless and help with laundry and other practical needs. Another group will go to Agape Development to work in the Urban Garden. For more information please contact Taylor Dawson,tdawson@sjd.org, 713-622-3600.

Moody Memorial UMC (Vivian Pinard, vivian@moody.org, 409-744-4526) will host a Clean Galveston Day. Mission Milby (Jose Pena -jose.pena@servantsnow.org, 713-454-6480) and Holycross Lutheran Church (John Jairo y Sussy- hclc@holycross.us) will each share lunch in their communities. Finally Fair Haven UMC is also scheduling events (Jairo Ortiz- jortizc@yahoo.com). 

Bless Friday® was founded in 2010 in Houston to change the way Americans celebrate Christmas.

G20: The Verdict | Robin Hood Tax

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The Morality of Income Inequality » First Thoughts | A First Things Blog

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