This challenge came about because I put my foot in my mouth.

I asked a friend, “Hey, can I add you and your wife to my newsletter mailing list?”

“Amy, we already get your newsletter,” he replied.

Thankfully this was all through FB messenger, so he couldn’t see me plant my face into my hands.

If you write newsletters or maintain any kind of mailing list, you’ve probably done something similar. For me, the problem is that my system is working well enough. I send out regular newsletters, I have adequate financial support, and I know that people are praying for me. Maybe you have the same problem. Or maybe your problem is that you don’t have a system or that you’re not sure how to communicate your needs. Regardless of your situation, this challenge is for you.

Let’s be honest, doing regular list maintenance does not feel important or urgent, or dare I say it… necessary. For some it’s overwhelming. For some, ministries are so urgent or difficult that this seems so far down the list. And for some, the system is working well enough, so this keeps getting moved down the to-do list.

But whether we like it or not, part of our calling is communicating with supporters. In preparing this challenge I was reminded of Paul’s words: 

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” (Phil. 1:3-5, emphasis mine).

I love how Paul used the phrase “partnership in the gospel.” That’s my hope for this challenge, that it helps you and your partners.

So, what can you expect from this challenge?

—An up-to-date mailing list by the end of the seven days.

—A small task for each day.

—Feeling connected to and grateful for your supporters. 

I’ll be honest with you, even though this challenge started with an awkward question, I still didn’t think I really needed the challenge. After all, my system and list were good enough. But I test ran each daily task a week before sharing this, and guess what? I was wrong!

Chances are that your list, like mine, needs a little more love than you are giving it. I can almost guarantee (really, I can) that if you do the fifteen-minute-to-an-hour-task each day, God will help you, and encourage you, and be with you. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t have the discipline to do this earlier. I’m hoping that this challenge will give you the tools to grow your email list and reap the benefits now rather than waiting as long as I did.

Let’s jump right into Day 1.