Is electronic funds transfer (EFT) a good idea for offerings? What is your opinion of your congregation, Lutheran high school or synod regularly drafting your offerings directly from your bank account? Is this a thoughtless way of gifting? Is it doing as Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income”? Is EFT a God pleasing way for us to be regular, proportionate, and generous givers? Or is EFT something we should not use?

A sad occurrence that takes place in churches every summer is the dramatic decline in attendance. There are all kinds of excuses like vacations, family gatherings, too hot, too cold—too busy to worship the Lord who has granted us all the blessings we enjoy in the summer months as well as the rest of the year. And churches are making all kinds of accommodations that should eliminate our excuses: air conditioning, extra service times, unique worship services, and outdoor worship, just to name a few. Please share some of the accommodations your church, or one near you, has made to help boost summer church attendance.

Romans 13:1-7 is the classic description of the attitude a Christian should have toward government. We can thank Jesus for placing us in a nation whose government continues to be benevolent to the church. Our tax system, public protection systems, and free speech rights all show that the government sees the value of the church in society. Let’s share other reasons why we can thank Jesus for our government.

One of the interesting thing about attending church in the summer is you can usually find a seat. What are some unique things you have done or seen done at your congregation to encourage a greater number of fellow members to attend worship?

Vacation Bible School provides us with the opportunity to take Jesus’ encouragement to heart to “Let the little children come to me.” How does you congregation use its Vacation Bible School to follow this encouragement of our Lord? Please share any ideas that could enhance the programs at other congregations.