Ministries call it the "Summer Slump" - that time of the year when donations drop considerably as many families are facing the tightest time of the year financially with the high cost of gasoline driving up the price of groceries and other necessities.  Nevertheless, there is truth to the Salvation Army slogan "Need has no season." 

Rather than cutting back on charitable giving this summer, Christians should be challenged to give more.  That's right!  With a bit of creativity and determination, it is possible to actually increase giving by following these simple "challenge" suggestions to save or earn extra money which can be directed into Kingdom work for His glory.

Ministry Awareness Challenge ~ the #1 way to increase funding for your favorite ministry is to let others know about the worthy cause.  

* Ask if you can include a message about your favorite ministry in your church bulletin.

*Tell friends and family about the ministry and give them literature or direct them to the ministry's website.

* Add a link to your ministry's website to your signature line in your emails - my tag says:  "Our favorite ministry: www.thelordsheritage.com"

*Call in to your local Christian Radio station and ask if they would be interested in an interview about the work of a local ministry.

Rummage Sale Challenge ~ It's yard sale time!  I'm sure that we could all use the extra funds generated from our yard sales, but consider donating your proceeds (or even a percentage) to the local Gospel Mission. 

Sell An Item Challenge ~ If you don't have enough items or time to do a Rummage Sale, dig around in the back of your closets or in storage for that one item that is just taking up space but could benefit another family while earning $ for your favorite ministry. Maybe you received a very nice gift that you just don't use - any single item of value can be sold to raise an extra $10, $15, or more for charity. You can advertise it in your local want ads or for free online at: www.vegsource.com.  What do you have to sell?!

Energy Cut Challenge ~ Here's a challenge to reduce our energy costs - the $$ saved can be donated.  Here's a couple of suggestions that we've done at our house: when our light bulbs burned out, we only replaced the most necessary ones - not only does this save by not using so many lights, but less light produces less heat so the house stays cooler; we're doing without a/c as much as possible to keep the electric bill down - by closing up the windows early in the morning, keeping the drapes pulled, lights off and running fans, it stays fairly cool upstairs and the basement is always nice.

Recycle Challenge ~ If you know of a recycling program that pays for used pop cans, newspapers, scrap metal, etc. - gather up your garbage and cash it in for charity! 

Vacation at Home Challenge ~ Here's a way to save BIG money which can help your ministry through the Summer Slump!  Our family has found that vacationing at home is actually more relaxing and enjoyable (even our children prefer it!) than loading everyone & everything up, paying for travel expenses, lodging, entertainment, admission fees, etc., then returning home exhausted and stressed.  If you need ideas, I have posted our experience along with photos on our here.

Lemonade Stand Challenge ~ Kids are great at earning extra cash and since nobody loves charitable giving more than our children, this is a great challenge to involve them in raising funds for ministry.  Help them set up a lemonade stand - or they can make cookies, bread, etc.  My children have sold bouquets from our flower garden, ice-cold pop, Popsicles - Chassé even sold her extra stickers to the neighbor kids one time to raise extra $.

Clean Out the Pantry Challenge ~ Whenever our family is especially strapped for cash, I hold off grocery shopping as long as possible.  Some of my best recipes have come from necessity when I needed to be creative with whatever was on hand in the cupboards or pantry.  It is possible to get by on P.B. & J. sandwiches for longer than you would imagine!  When the family knows it's for a good cause, they are eager to chip in with creative ideas of their own.

Reduce the Phone Bill Challenge ~ There is so much competition between phone companies these days that, if you haven't checked recently, you are probably not getting the best deal for your money.  Why not take a few spare minutes and check out current rate plans?  Start with the company you're already using - then check the competition.  Be sure to send a portion of the money you save to your favorite ministry.

Cut the Cable Challenge ~ Whoa, this could be a tough one!  But, truthfully, our family has never had cable and we don't regret it at all.  The savings would not just be financial - you also save time, family memories (time spent interacting rather than watching the tube), and brain cells! Anyone ready for this family-life saving challenge?!!

Cheap Date Challenge ~ We all need to spend some couple time together on a regular basis.  Here's an area where we can be creative and still enjoy privacy and intimacy with our spouses.  Our children love to set up a restaurant in our bedroom - they cover a card table with a table cloth and add candles, flowers, etc. to make a fancy setting.  They put some nice Christian instrumental music in the CD player, put on aprons, and serve as hostess, waitress, cook, etc.

Lower Insurance Challenge ~ There is so much competition between insurance companies these days that, if you haven't checked recently, you are probably not getting the best deal for your money.  Why not take a few spare minutes and check out current rate plans?  Start with the company you're already using - then check the competition.  Be sure to donate a portion of the money you save to a good cause.

Drop a Program Challenge ~ One of the books I read recently is Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard A. Swenson.  The author shows how, while there is "nothing new under the sun" in terms of the stresses of life, in the past 30 years or so there has definitely been a quantitative change in the stresses of life.  In other words, there have always been weddings, graduations, activities, etc. to attend - but today the sheer quantity of events, people, relationships, jobs to get done, etc. is what is putting so much pressure on families.  What activities are you paying for that only lead to extra stress for your family? 

Drink Water Challenge ~ Here's a simple way to save money and protect our families' health at the same time!  Billionaire, Warren Buffet got rich because he bought shares of Coca-Cola years ago - soft drink sales make investors rich and families poor - all the while ruining our health.  Maybe our families will not accept going cold-turkey - but we can at least cut back.  Coffee, pop, juice, etc. are not necessities - water is. 

Coupon & Competitor Ads Challenge ~ Try this - before you go shopping, go through the newspaper ads and clip coupons for any item that you would be purchasing anyway.  You don't have to go to a different store to enjoy the savings as most stores will accept competitor ads.  Calculate how much you saved and write a check for that amount to the local food pantry.

Impulse Purchase Challenge ~ Next time you go shopping, make a list and stick to it!!  When you come across an impulse item that you feel compelled by the marketing manipulators to buy - instead, write down the amount on your list and leave the item on the shelf.  When you get home, tally up the total of impulse items you passed on and send the money saved to your favorite ministry.  What unnecessary gizmos were you able to "Just Say No" to for this Challenge?!

Skip the Restaurant Challenge ~ Next time you cook a meal, double the recipe and stick one batch in the freezer.  Then, on a day when you are rushed or tired, instead of stopping by McD's for a quick dinner - pull a meal out of the freezer and heat it up.  Donate the money you saved to your church missions fund.

Save With the Library Challenge ~ If you really love a particular magazine, ask your local library to subscribe and read it there.  Also, rather than buying books, check to see if your library carries that title - or else get it through inter-library loan.  Rather than buying or renting videos or DVDs, borrow the movie - you can keep it for a week at no charge.  Cutting out these little expenses can add up to big savings which can be passed on to a worthy cause.