by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 2, 2025 | Goals
Ever feel like New Year’s resolutions are set up to fail?
Here’s why focusing on small, consistent wins could be the game-changer you need for 2025—and how one simple habit can spark a year of growth.
The dawn of a new year often brings a surge of motivation. But let’s be real: big, sweeping resolutions can feel overwhelming and unattainable. Consider David’s experience. At the start of last year, he decided to focus on making small, meaningful changes rather than setting grand, intimidating goals.
He committed to reading just one page of a book each day, saving $5 weekly, and taking a five-minute walk every morning. By the end of the year, these simple habits added up: he finished three books, built a savings cushion, and felt noticeably healthier and more energized. Small, consistent actions led to significant progress.
This same approach can help you tackle 2025 with clarity and confidence. Let’s explore how small, actionable steps can set the stage for big wins throughout the year.
This year, instead of striving for perfection, aim for progress. Micro growth resolutions are about building momentum with manageable steps. Starting today, you can take the first steps toward your journey to a better you.
Ideas to Try in 2025
These small, intentional actions can be the building blocks for growth. Here are practical ideas to start incorporating into your daily routine:
- Write Down One Thing You’re Grateful For from 2024: Gratitude is the foundation of growth. Take a moment to reflect on a highlight or lesson from last year and jot it down. This practice shifts your focus toward positivity and abundance as you step into 2025.
- Identify One Skill You Want to Improve and Research One Resource: Whether it’s public speaking, cooking, or financial literacy, choose a skill you want to develop. Look up a book, podcast, or online course to get started. The first step is simply finding the right tool.
- Set a Timer for 10 Minutes and Declutter Your Workspace: A clear space fosters a clear mind. Spend just 10 minutes tidying up your desk or digital workspace. Small changes in your environment can lead to big boosts in productivity.
- Text or Call Someone Who Inspired You in 2024: Expressing appreciation not only strengthens relationships but also boosts your own sense of connection and purpose. Let someone know they made a difference in your life.
- Choose One Habit to Track Daily for January: Habits shape your future. Pick one small habit—like drinking more water, journaling, or walking 10 minutes a day—and commit to tracking it every day this month.
- Pick a Motivational Quote and Set It as Your Phone’s Wallpaper: Find a quote that resonates with your goals and make it a daily visual reminder. Inspiration is just a glance away.
- Create a Note on Your Phone for Tracking Daily Wins in 2025: Celebrate your progress. Start a note titled “Wins” and commit to logging one achievement—big or small—every day. Over time, this list becomes a powerful testament to your growth.
- Review Your Calendar and Schedule One Hour for Self-Care Each Week in January: Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Block out time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s reading, exercising, or simply resting.
- Reflect on a Tough Moment from 2024 and Write Down What It Taught You: Challenges are fertile ground for growth. Write down a lesson you learned from a difficult experience. This practice turns setbacks into stepping stones.
With these ideas in hand, it’s time to reflect on why micro growth matters and how it can create lasting impact.
- Write a Personal Mission Statement for 2025: What’s your “why” for this year? Define your purpose in a single, clear statement to guide your decisions and actions.
- Commit to Drinking One More Glass of Water a Day: Hydration is a simple yet impactful health habit. Add one extra glass of water to your daily routine—your body and mind will thank you.
- Organize One Digital Folder or Clean Up Your Inbox: Start small in the battle against digital clutter. Choose one folder or tackle the oldest 10 emails in your inbox to bring a sense of order.
- Choose a Book, Podcast, or Video Series to Fuel Your Growth Mindset: Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. Select a resource that aligns with your goals and commit to engaging with it regularly.
- Stretch for Five Minutes While Reflecting on Your Goals: Physical and mental flexibility go hand in hand. Take five minutes to stretch and visualize what you want to achieve this year.
- Write One Sentence to Your Future Self About What You Hope to Achieve This Year: Capture your aspirations in one powerful sentence. Address your future self with encouragement and clarity.
- Plan a Low-Cost, Meaningful Reward for Your First Win in January: Rewards reinforce habits. Plan a simple treat for hitting your first milestone, like a coffee date, a new book, or a relaxing evening.
- Visualize What 1% Better Every Day Looks Like for You: Imagine the compound effect of small, consistent improvements. Spend a few minutes visualizing what incremental growth could mean for your health, career, relationships, or faith.
- Set a Simple Morning Routine for the First Week of January: Start your day with intention. Create a short routine—like stretching, journaling, and a healthy breakfast—to set a positive tone.
- Create a List of People You Want to Encourage This Year: Growth isn’t just personal—it’s communal. Write down the names of people you want to inspire, mentor, or support in 2025.
Why Micro Growth Matters
The idea of getting 1% better every day is rooted in the power of small, consistent actions. Consider this: if you improve by just 1% daily, by the end of the year, you will be 37 times better than when you started. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.
Now that we understand the importance of these small steps, let’s focus on applying them consistently as we move forward in 2025.
Your 2025 Reminder
This year doesn’t have to be about an overhaul of your entire life.
Growth is not about giant leaps; it’s about showing up consistently, even in the smallest ways. By focusing on micro growth resolutions, you’re giving yourself permission to celebrate the journey, not just the destination.
Take a deep breath. Choose one or two small actions from the list above and let them be your starting point. You’re already on your way to a better, brighter 2025.
Here’s to 1% better every day—starting now. Cheers to your growth!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 10, 2024 | Decisions, Empowerment, Encouragement, Goals, Leadership
By the next decade, the most successful companies will not be the most agile but rather those that adopt a strategic waiting game.
Netflix exemplifies this strategy, having waited nine years before launching its streaming service. Founded in 1997, Netflix introduced streaming in January 2007. During this period of anticipation, the company did not remain idle. Instead, it diligently built a thriving DVD-by-mail business, achieving milestones such as reaching 1 million subscribers by 2003 and delivering its billionth DVD by 2007.
Waiting can feel like a punishment in today’s fast-paced, results-driven world. Deadlines loom, competitors move ahead, and opportunities slip by while we’re neutral. But what if the waiting isn’t wasted time? What if it’s the most valuable season for growth and preparation?
Everyone, at some point, faces seasons where progress feels stalled.
Whether you’re a leader navigating a career plateau or someone waiting for a personal breakthrough, these moments are rarely as idle as they appear. Waiting can be the most valuable time to recalibrate, build resilience, and prepare for future opportunities. Here’s how anyone—leaders and individuals alike—can embrace these seasons and discover that the wait is worth it.
Understanding this can help frame waiting as an asset rather than a hindrance.
The Struggle: Waiting in a Results-Driven World
At a time in my career, everything felt like it was on hold. I worked hard, strategized, and executed plans precisely, but nothing seemed to move forward. Watching peers step into opportunities while I remained limbo left me questioning my direction and progress. If you’ve ever felt stuck, you know the frustration of asking, “Why isn’t anything happening?”
Many equate constant activity with success. Yet, the most impactful growth usually comes during moments of pause—when we take time to reflect, reassess, and realign.
This transition from frustration to clarity starts with a shift in mindset.
The Breakthrough: Recognizing the Purpose in the Pause
The key to overcoming the frustration of waiting is shifting your perspective. Instead of viewing delays as setbacks, see them as preparation. Waiting isn’t about inactivity; it’s about alignment. Behind the scenes, resources are positioned, relationships are cultivated, and you are refined for what’s next.
Take a moment to reflect:
What if your current waiting season is part of a more significant strategy? What if the delay is setting you up for a more substantial win?
Such moments offer a rare chance to gain perspective, revealing the opportunities hidden within the pause.
Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is nothing at all.
For high achievers, doing nothing feels counterproductive.
But waiting is not passive; it’s about active trust. It’s believing that progress is being made even when it’s not immediately visible.
High performers often see "doing nothing" as a waste of time, but reframing it as "strategic patience" changes the perspective. This time is ripe for inner work, such as strengthening mental agility, honing decision-making skills, and exploring creative solutions for future challenges.
-
The Growth Mindset: Use this time to develop patience and resilience. Waiting can feel like wasted time, but it’s often where the most significant internal growth happens.
-
Leverage the Pause: Consider this an opportunity to evaluate long-term goals and assess the alignment of your actions with your vision. Is the path you’re on the right one?
-
Reflection: Consider how previous waiting seasons led to better outcomes than if you had rushed.
-
Action Step: Reflect on this question: What is this season of waiting teaching me? Journal your thoughts, identify skills you can improve, or discuss them with a mentor.
Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Progress is often invisible before it becomes evident.
Consider a seed buried in the ground—though unseen, it’s growing roots, preparing to break through the surface.
Trust that unseen work is happening. Remember that preparation takes time, whether you’re waiting on a promotion, a personal breakthrough, or clarity for your next steps.
Patience during these times often translates into deeper readiness and stronger outcomes.
-
Practical Perspective: Consider industries where long-term preparation is key—like product development or market expansion—and apply that mindset to your growth.
-
Action Step: Write down an area in your life or work where you feel delayed. Then, list potential ways this season might prepare you for a breakthrough.
Timing isn’t about speed; it’s about alignment.
Have you ever felt rushed to meet a deadline only to realize it wasn’t as urgent as it seemed?
Often, our perception of time is misaligned with what’s truly needed. Great leaders know that opportunities taken too soon can overwhelm them, while those embraced at the right time align perfectly with growth and capacity.
For leaders, this means letting go of the urge to force progress and focusing on readiness and strategic alignment.
- Key Insight: Timing isn’t just about hitting targets; it’s about creating long-term value.
- Action Step: Determine how your circumstances might position you for future success.
What you do while you wait determines what you see when it’s over.
Waiting isn’t about sitting still; it’s about preparation. Use this time to:
- Trust the Process: Believe that waiting is part of the journey. Trust builds resilience and reduces unnecessary stress. Use this time to reflect on past successes that emerged after waiting and how they prepared you for greater challenges.
- Sharpen Your Skills: Develop new competencies that position you for future opportunities. Whether it’s learning a new technology, refining your communication abilities, or mastering leadership techniques, this is your chance to upskill and add value to your personal and professional toolkit.
- Strengthen Relationships: Invest in your network—mentors, peers, and team members—to build a support system that enhances your effectiveness. Use this season to foster stronger connections through meaningful conversations, collaboration, and mentorship.
- Expand Your Vision: Take this time to explore new perspectives or industries that might complement your existing goals. Expanding your understanding can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
- Action Step: Choose one area to focus on during your waiting season, whether it’s personal growth, skill development, strengthening your team, or broadening your horizons. Outline specific actions and track your progress regularly to stay motivated.
Why Waiting is Strategic
The marketplace values speed, but strategic leaders understand the power of timing. Waiting can offer opportunities to strengthen your position, refine your vision, and make choices that yield long-term rewards. Here’s why waiting can be a competitive advantage:
- Better Decisions: Rushed decisions often lead to costly mistakes. Waiting allows for thoughtful consideration, thorough analysis, and input from trusted advisors, resulting in more effective outcomes.
- Enhanced Strategic Planning: Use waiting periods to revisit your goals and recalibrate your strategies. This intentional pause can reveal gaps or opportunities you might have missed in a rush.
- Increased Readiness: When the opportunity comes, you’ll be fully prepared to seize it. Preparation during waiting ensures that you enter each new phase with confidence and competence.
- Long-Term Impact: Immediate results are fleeting; well-timed actions create lasting change and sustainability. Leaders who understand this shift from speed to strategy ultimately build stronger foundations for success.
- Strengthened Relationships: Waiting provides the time to nurture key professional relationships and build trust within your network, which can become invaluable assets when opportunities arise.
Closing Thoughts: The Wait Was Worth It
When the opportunity comes to fruition, you’ll realize that the waiting wasn’t wasted—it was necessary. Your waiting season wasn’t about stalling; it was about preparation. Those who embrace waiting as part of their journey find that the most significant wins come not from rushing but from readiness.
As marketplace leaders, remember this: Timing isn’t just about meeting deadlines; it’s about creating impact. Trust the process, embrace the waiting, and prepare for the moment when the right time comes.
Ultimately, waiting becomes not a barrier but a bridge to sustained success and meaningful impact.
This week, take intentional steps to shift your perspective on waiting. Reflect on the areas where you’re being prepared and commit to making the most of this season. In the end, you’ll look back and say the wait was worth it.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 26, 2024 | Empowerment, Encouragement, Goals, Money and Finance
Imagine two neighbors living on the same block—both working hard, caring for their families, and trying to make ends meet.
One of them, Marcus, takes pride in what he has. His house may not be the biggest, and his car might not be the newest, but Marcus is grateful. Each morning, he wakes up with peace in his heart, focusing on his family, his faith, and the blessings God has given him. He's learned that his worth isn't tied to the size of his paycheck or the car parked in his driveway.
Derek, the other neighbor, is different. Whenever he steps outside, he notices what everyone else has: the shiny new car next door, the remodeled kitchen across the street, the designer clothes his neighbors wear. And each time he compares, he feels less joy. No matter how hard Derek works, it never seems like enough.
Many of us are like Derek, caught in a cycle of comparison. But Marcus shows us another way—a life of gratitude and contentment. True happiness doesn’t come from accumulating things but from appreciating the blessings already in our lives. Today, let’s explore how to break free from comparison, recognize the intangible blessings we often overlook, and cultivate gratitude in our daily lives.
The Trap of Comparison and Materialism
In today's world, the comparison trap is everywhere. Social media shows us picture-perfect lives, and consumer culture constantly fuels our desire for more—more possessions, more status, more likes. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of measuring our worth based on what others have, leaving us feeling inadequate and disconnected.
Relentlessly chasing material possessions can take a toll. Financial stress, strained relationships, and spiritual emptiness often follow. When we place our value in what we own, it’s never enough—always striving, always wanting. And this pursuit can lead to burnout and an empty sense of self-worth.
But there’s a different perspective available to us. Luke 12:15 reminds us:
Life is not measured by how much you own.
Our worth isn’t in our possessions but in who we are as people created in God’s image. By breaking free from this cycle of comparison, we can find lasting contentment. Some practical steps to take include limiting social media, unfollowing accounts that spark envy, and intentionally focusing on our own blessings.
The Power of Gratitude and The Freedom of Contentment
Gratitude is an attitude of thankfulness for the good in our lives.
Contentment, meanwhile, is a state of peace and satisfaction that doesn’t depend on external circumstances. Together, gratitude and contentment have the power to transform our outlook—from feeling like we lack something to recognizing the abundance in what we already have.
Focusing on what we have, rather than what we don’t, helps us appreciate the blessings that are often easy to overlook: love, family, friendships, health, and community. These blessings, though intangible, are infinitely more valuable than anything money can buy.
It’s helpful to remember the words of Matthew 6:19-20:
Don’t store up treasures here on earth... Store your treasures in heaven.
When we invest in our faith, our relationships, and our purpose, we experience the kind of fulfillment that material things can never provide. As 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says,
True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
Instead of comparing our journey to others, let’s focus on our personal race—running the course God has uniquely set before us. Trusting in God’s plan, we find peace not in having more but in becoming more aligned with His purpose.
How to Flex Your Gratitude Muscles
Alright, let’s get real for a second. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice, a habit we must work on daily. Here are some practical, game-changing steps to help you grow in gratitude:
- Keep a Gratitude Journal: Spend a few minutes each day writing down things you’re thankful for. It could be as simple as a sunny day, a kind word, or a shared meal. Over time, this practice helps shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.
- Practice Daily Prayer and Reflection: Take time each day to thank God for His blessings. Prayer can help you realign your heart with God’s will and appreciate His presence in your life.
- Minimize Materialistic Influences: Be mindful of your media consumption. Advertisements and social media often encourage a consumerist mindset, so limit your exposure and choose what uplifts you instead.
- Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Spend time with those who celebrate your growth and your true self, not your possessions. Community matters, and the right people can make a big difference in your spiritual journey.
- Practice Generosity: Giving to others helps cultivate gratitude. Whether it’s giving your time, resources, or even a listening ear, generosity can bring a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond anything we receive.
Especially during the holiday season, it’s easy to feel pressured to overspend. Instead of focusing on buying things, consider ways to celebrate meaningfully—like gifting experiences, making donations, or creating handmade gifts. Thoughtful alternatives can help reduce the financial strain while fostering deeper connections with loved ones.
Conclusion
Gratitude is a choice, not a circumstance. We can choose to focus on the good in our lives, no matter the external situation. By embracing gratitude and contentment, we align our hearts with God’s purpose, finding true fulfillment not in things but in a deep relationship with Him.
As we step forward, let’s implement these steps in our daily lives and experience the power of gratitude firsthand. Let us write down our blessings, express thanks through prayer, surround ourselves with encouraging voices, and live with a giving spirit. The choice to cultivate gratitude has the power to transform not just our perspective but our entire lives.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 14, 2024 | Empowerment, Christian, Christianity, Decisions, Encouragement, Goals, Motivation, Self-Leadership, Success
“I feel it is better to begin with God, to see His face first, to get my soul near him before it is near another.” E.M. Bounds
If you were to open any dictionary and look up “Godly Woman”, I’m willing to suggest that my mother, Margaret Stowers’ picture would accompany the definition.
Why would I say this? Well, she understood the wisdom of “firsts”, giving God the first of everything – in all areas of life. My mother believed in giving God the first hour of the day, the first day of the week, and the first dime of every dollar.
My Mom Gave God The First Hour of the Day
My mom believed that the bridge to success is better crossed in the morning, the best part of uninterrupted time. This was her time to talk to God through prayer, read and reflect on Scripture, and listen to God’s voice.
That’s right, the wife of a pastor didn’t read the newspaper, talk on the phone, or turn on the television. She would wake up, shower, make coffee, and spend the first hour of her day with God.
Today, my mother is no longer with us, she’s with God. But, even today, one of my clearest memories of her is her morning rhythm. Years later, as I reflect, her example inspires me to form a similar habit and make it a part off my daily rhythm.
If you’re thinking you can just as easily connect with God any time of the day, you’re right, you could. You could connect at noon, in the afternoon, or before you go to bed. But, nothing puts an exclamation point on the day like giving God the first hour of our day.
My Mom Gave God The First Day of the Week
Along with giving God the first hour of her day, my mom also believed in and practiced giving back to God the first day of each week. She went to church! Attending wasn’t optional, it was a priority in the Stowers household. Unfortunately, Sunday is now an extension of the weekend and we can hardly distinguish it from Saturday.
Church attendance is declining and it’s a trend that’s not going away. It’s accelerating. Leadership coach and blogger Carey Neiuwhof writes extensively on church trends and attendance and lists 10 Reasons Even Committed Church Members Are Attending Less. Topping Carey’s list is:
1) Greater Affluence – money gives people options,
2) Higher Focus on Children’s Activities – more kids are playing sports and doing it on Sunday, and
3) Blended Parent Families – when custody is shared in a family situation, ‘perfect’ attendance for a kid or teen might be 26 Sundays a year.
You can read the rest of Carey’s post here.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 14, 2024 | Empowerment, Goals, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Vision
Welcome to Mars Hill Baptist Church, a community that values tradition while embracing modernity.
At Mars Hill, we understand that the church is not just a building, but a community of believers who come together to support and uplift one another. That's why we're excited to introduce the Mars Hill Anywhere Platform - a modern initiative that allows us to connect and grow as a community, no matter where we are.
The Mars Hill Anywhere platform is an online hub where you can access all the resources and support needed to stay engaged and connected with our community. Whether at home, at work, or on the go, you can tune in to our live stream, catch up on past sermons, and participate in virtual events and Bible studies.
But Mars Hill Anywhere is more than just a platform - it reflects our commitment to community and collective growth. We believe the church is not just a place to worship, but to grow and learn together. With Mars Hill Anywhere, we can extend our reach beyond our physical location and connect with believers from all over the world.
At Mars Hill Baptist Church, we're excited about the future and the opportunities that Mars Hill Anywhere presents. We believe that by embracing modern technology, we can reach more people and make a bigger impact on the world. So why not join us today and see what Mars Hill Anywhere can do for you?
At Mars Hill, we understand that the church is not just a building, but a community of believers who come together to support and uplift one another.
Click to Tweet
Mars Hill Anywhere Platform: Bringing the Church to You
What is the Mars Hill Anywhere Platform?
The Mars Hill Anywhere Platform is not just another online tool; it's a revolutionary step towards redefining what it means to be a church in the modern age. Recognizing that the essence of a church is its community and not the walls that house it, we've developed a platform that bridges the gap between physical distance and spiritual connection.
Key Features:
- Virtual Gatherings: Attend services, bible studies, and group meetings from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world. Experience the same warmth and fellowship as you would in person.
- Interactive Worship: Engage in live worship sessions, submit prayer requests, and participate in communal activities, ensuring that you're not just a passive viewer but an active member of the congregation.
- Community Building Tools: Connect with fellow believers, join discussion groups, and find local meet-ups or events. Create and nurture relationships that go beyond Sunday services.
- Resource Library: Access a vast collection of sermons, teachings, and other resources to deepen your faith and understanding, available 24/7.
- Personalized Experience: Tailor your platform experience based on your interests, needs, and spiritual journey. Receive content recommendations, join groups that resonate with you, and grow at your own pace.
Why Choose the Mars Hill Anywhere Platform?
- Flexibility: Whether traveling, unwell, or simply preferring to engage from home, the platform ensures you're always connected to your church community.
- Inclusivity: No matter where you are in your faith journey, there's a place for you here. From newcomers to long-time members, everyone is welcome.
- Safety: When physical gatherings might be challenging or risky, the platform offers a safe and secure way to stay connected.
- Growth: With many resources and community support, your spiritual growth is limitless.
Join Us in this New Chapter
At Mars Hill, we believe that faith is a journey best traveled together. The Mars Hill Anywhere Platform is our commitment to ensuring that no matter where life takes you, your church family is just a click away. Join us, and let's redefine what being a church in the digital age means.
The Mars Hill Anywhere Platform is not just another online tool; it's a revolutionary step towards redefining what it means to be a church in the modern age.
Click to Tweet
The Mars Hill Anywhere Platform: A Comprehensive Overview
At Mars Hill, we believe in creating a holistic ecosystem that caters to the diverse needs of our community. The Mars Hill Anywhere initiative is not just a platform; it's a comprehensive suite of tools, services, and experiences designed to nurture your faith, growth, and leadership. Here's a breakdown of what's involved:
- In-Person Gatherings: While our digital tools are expansive, nothing can replace the warmth of face-to-face interactions. Our in-person gatherings are spaces for worship, fellowship, and growth, allowing you to connect with the Mars Hill community in a tangible way.
- Live Streaming Across Platforms: Whether you're on our official website at [marshillchicago.org](http://marshillchicago.org), YouTube, or Facebook Live, you can access our services in real-time. Experience the power of collective worship, no matter where you are.
- The Gathering - Digital Discipleship: Our midweek service, The Gathering, is more than just another online meeting. It's a dedicated space for digital discipleship, designed to help you deepen your relationship with God from wherever you are.
- 1:1 Coaching: Life is a journey, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Our 1:1 coaching sessions are tailored to help you reach your personal goals and continuously improve, even if just by 1%.
- Stay Informed with Text Alerts: Never miss out on what's happening at Mars Hill. Our text alerts keep you in the loop about events, updates, and important announcements.
- The Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast: Leadership is often a lonely journey, but it doesn't have to be. The Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast shines a light on the often-overlooked leaders, offering insights, stories, and inspiration for everyone.
- The Breakdown - Weekly Insights: Understanding God's word is a journey, and we're here to guide you. The Breakdown is a weekly newsletter that delves into Sunday's sermon, providing clarity and a 5-day devotional to help you reflect and grow throughout the week.
Embracing the Future, Together
The Mars Hill Anywhere ecosystem is our commitment to ensuring that every community member has the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in their faith journey. Whether you're joining us online or in person, we're here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
The Mars Hill Anywhere initiative is not just a platform; it's a comprehensive suite of tools, services, and experiences designed to nurture your faith, growth, and leadership.
Click to Tweet
The Importance of a Subscription Model for Sustaining Mars Hill Anywhere
The landscape of church operations and community engagement has undergone significant transformation, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. While the essence of the church remains unchanged, the methods by which we connect, worship, and sustain our operations have evolved. As we navigate these changes, it's crucial to explore innovative financial models that can support the growth and sustainability of Mars Hill Anywhere. Here's why introducing a subscription model as an additional way to give is vital:
- Predictable Revenue Stream: Traditional tithes and offerings, while deeply appreciated, can be unpredictable. A subscription model provides a consistent and predictable revenue stream, enabling better financial planning and ensuring the church's digital and physical operations run smoothly.
- Expanding Digital Infrastructure: The hybrid model of Mars Hill Anywhere requires significant investment in digital infrastructure, from live streaming equipment to online platforms and tools. A subscription model can help offset these costs and ensure our digital offerings remain top-notch.
- Supporting Expanded Services: With initiatives like 1:1 coaching, The Gathering, and The Clarence Stowers Leadership Podcast, Mars Hill offers more than just Sunday services. A subscription model can help fund these additional services, ensuring they remain accessible and high-quality.
- Building Resilience: Post-COVID, many churches face financial challenges. Diversifying our revenue sources through subscriptions can make Mars Hill more resilient to external economic shocks and ensure we can continue our mission regardless of external circumstances.
- Deepening Community Engagement: A subscription model can foster a sense of ownership and more profound engagement within the community. Subscribers might feel a heightened sense of commitment and involvement, knowing they're directly sustaining the church's initiatives.
- Flexibility for Members: While tithing is a deeply personal act of worship, a subscription model offers an alternative for those who prefer a more structured way of giving. It allows members to choose the best method with their financial planning and personal preferences.
A Forward-Thinking Approach
Introducing a subscription model is not about replacing traditional tithes and offerings but complementing them. It's a forward-thinking approach, recognizing the evolving needs of our community and the changing dynamics of church operations in the digital age. By embracing this model, we're ensuring the sustainability of Mars Hill Anywhere and paving the way for continued growth, innovation, and deepened community engagement.
Introducing a subscription model is not about replacing traditional tithes and offerings but complementing them.
Click to Tweet
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Mars Hill Anywhere
At the heart of Mars Hill lies a community bound by faith, love, and a shared vision. As we navigate the evolving landscape of worship and fellowship, your support becomes the cornerstone of our growth and outreach.
- Tithes & Offerings: Your regular tithes and offerings are more than just financial contributions; they're acts of worship, trust, and commitment to our shared mission. Each penny fuels our endeavors, ensuring that the Word reaches every corner and every heart.
- Special Offerings: Occasionally, we embark on projects that require a little extra – a community outreach, a mission trip, or infrastructural enhancements. Your unique offerings can make these dreams a reality, creating lasting impact and memories.
- Becoming a Subscriber: Dive deeper into the Mars Hill experience by becoming a subscriber. Not only do you gain access to exclusive content and benefits, but you also play a pivotal role in ensuring our church's sustainability in the digital age: every gesture, big or small, stitches together the fabric of our community. Whether giving through tithes, unique offerings, or subscribing, you champion a vision of unity, growth, and boundless faith.
Support Mars Hill Anywhere today as a beacon of hope, love, and transformation.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 1, 2024 | Encouragement, Goals
Once, a traveler decided to pack for every possibility on their first trip abroad. They started with essentials but soon added items for unforeseen circumstances.
As they journeyed, the burden of their heavy luggage became apparent, hindering their movement and enjoyment. Eventually, they realized that by trying to prepare for everything, they were actually enjoying less.
The lesson was clear: simplicity often leads to a richer experience.
As we transition into today's blog post, let's consider how this applies to our lives. Much like the traveler, we often encumber ourselves with worries and material burdens. This story isn't just about travel; it's a metaphor for life, urging us to focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest.
As we stand at the beginning of 2024, it’s time for transformation. Last year likely held disappointments and setbacks, but you didn’t come this far to only come this far.
The question is, are you ready to step into it?
Taking Stock: What to Leave Behind from 2023
I get it—the weights of the past year are heavy. Every letdown added a stone to the backpack you’re carrying. Anxiety about the future built a fog obscuring where God wants to lead you. Bad habits and false narratives locked you into ruts that feel inescapable.
As you reflect, what specifically do you need to leave behind in 2023? Here are some ideas:
- Regrets and disappointments that hold you in the past instead of moving you into the future. Every perceived failure feels like a brick weighing down your backpack. But God sees them as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
- Worries and anxiety that obscure where God is leading rather than trusting His perfect timing. The fog of uncertainty tempts us to stand still rather than take steps of faith.
- Destructive habits and narratives that chain you in place rather than freeing you to grow. Comparison, scarcity mindsets, compromise – these shackles often deceive us into thinking we can’t change.
Naming these weights provides freedom to drop them so you can travel light into the year ahead. Ask God to highlight what you need to leave behind right now. Journal it, pray over it, and then picture placing it at the foot of the cross.
Charting the Course: What to Carry with You into 2024
While reflection helps us let go of the past, we also need vision for the future. In God’s Word we find the map to move forward even while we leave weights behind.
Isaiah 43 says not to dwell on the past or what was. God is doing a new thing! So what should you carry with you into the new year?
Purpose
Disappointment morphs into purpose when we grasp God’s forward-looking plans for our lives. Orient your daily actions around contributing to God’s larger story in 2024. Begin and end each day asking, “How can I join what God is doing around me today?”
Patience
Worry shifts into patience and trust in God’s timing, which is always perfect. Move from passive waiting into active trust that God sees the full picture. When anxious thoughts arise, replace them with promises of God’s sovereignty from Scripture.
Courage
Destructive patterns transform into courage when we walk in step with the Spirit. Keep taking risks to grow in 2024, even if you have to whisper “try again” to yourself at the end of hard days. Write down 2-3 courage goals for the year related to relationships, work, fitness, etc.
Kindness
Weed out harmful words and sow the language of love through little acts of service. Fill your heart and calendar with kindness. Perform one loving act daily for a week. Then make it a habit all year long.
Hope
Cling to the anchor for your soul—the promise that with Christ, your best is yet to come in the year ahead. Memorize motivational verses to renew your hope when doubts creep in.
These signposts show we’re on the road of transformation with Jesus. Let them guide you into breakthroughs in the coming year.
Embracing The Journey
Our God specializes in making all things new. He has a blank canvas waiting for you in 2024! Will it take work to realize God's vision? Absolutely.
Changing deep-rooted habits requires discipline, courage, and perseverance. But we don't labor alone. God paves the path through Scripture, mentors, and the everyday nudging of the Holy Spirit if we listen.
While I don’t know all that’s ahead for you, I know this, friend: the God who began a good work in you is faithful to carry it on to completion. This year holds something new - a chapter filled with blessings and divine appointments.
Step into it with courage and expectation, trusting the Author to guide your steps. God is already crafting the story.
Say yes to the journey!
This post was inspired by last Sunday's message "You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far," which explores how we can leave behind weights and walk in renewal during this season of new beginnings. If you missed it, you can catch the full sermon here on YouTube.
