I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a city some jokingly call the "Evangelical Vatican" because of the large number of churches and ministries in the area. Hundreds of the members in my church either work at or have close ties to Focus on the Family, The Navigators, Compassion International, International Bible Society (now Biblica), Andrew Womack Ministries, Youth With a Mission, and dozens of other great parachurch organizations. It seems you can't toss an offering envelope in this town without hitting a 501c(3) ministry.

I love these organizations. They do so much to spread the gospel and help the poor. Yet as the financial stewardship pastor at my church, the presence of many Christian organizations asking for donations makes my job more challenging. With so many excellent causes to give to, why should people give to our church?

I'm not the only one dealing with this challenge. The truth is no matter where you live, there's no shortage of opportunities ...