Giving

"You can't outgive God."

Increasing Giving

Increasing the Giving—Idea #1

Develop (or borrow) very well written material on giving and use it regularly. We have pieces that we use on a regular basis that talk about a variety of money topics in the church world.

Here are some examples:

We’ve done a piece on the per person per week cost to operate the church that is very low key while being extremely informative; (see "Truly a Miracle" in Membership Manual)

We have a piece that acknowledges those who came to the church in the early years and whose gifts made the church we have now possible. This piece helps newer members "want to do their part" for those who will come after them.

We’ve a piece that addresses that "money" is a sensitive issue for many and talks very candidly about people’s "money issues." It even invites people to step into the "miracle" of the church world by asking them to imagine what it would be like for them to do their monthly budget if their paycheck were the result of whatever their boss, customer, company, felt inspired to give or not give them. That’s a real eye-opener for most people.

We periodically insert these pieces in our bulletin and include them in our membership manual. The key idea with all our pieces is that they are informative, low-key, and really help people understand the importance of their "thoughtful" giving. These pieces do not emphasize tithing. We handle that subject in other ways. And these pieces do not show actual monthly income and monthly expenses.

Increasing the Giving—Idea #2

You’ve got to get comfortable talking to your people about money matters. Not just tithing. Know what it costs to operate your ministry and learn how to communicate that information in person as well as in writing. Just putting your figures in your newsletter or saying "We didn’t make it this month we need more of you to give," is not going to be very effective.

Increasing the Giving—Idea #3

Give your people plenty of time to prepare their love offering. Give them several minutes. Come up with a dialogue, or something to do, while they’re writing their checks that’s right for your style of ministry.

For example, at Church of Today, San Diego, I will say something like this: "Now is the time to share our tithes and love offerings. If you’re here for the first time, please don’t feel that you have to participate in this part of the service. You are our guest. For those of us who consider this our church home, we know how important our tithes and offerings are to what this ministry is able to do. And we appreciate the gifts you gift. While you’re preparing your gifts, let me remind you of a few things … (I might mention once again a particularly important announcement or that our Prayer Partners are available to pray with them this morning . . .).

Increasing the Giving—Idea #4

Theme baskets for silent auctions can raise a nice amount of money. Each year, right before our Fall program, we do a Silent Auction with themed baskets. We invite people to complete a basket on their own, to join with others to create one together, or to contribute money that the staff will use to create baskets. Some of the themes we’ve used for baskets have included: gardening, sports, coffee lovers, lego baskets for kids, baskets with gift certificates for massages, Reiki, makeovers, etc. Each basket has a tag on it indicating the value of the basket and the donor/creator of the basket. We ask that bids start at 50% of value and we collect bids for four Sundays. Our members know that the money raised from this silent auction is used to pay for our fall program. Our Association Office has more information on this.

Increasing the Giving—Idea #5

Investigate a "grocery scrip" program as a simple, ongoing fund-raiser for your church. Since everyone buys groceries this can be an easy way to generate ongoing funds. "Scrip" is purchased in bulk at a discount and then sold to your congregation at face value. You can get lots of information from the National Scrip Center in Santa Rosa, CA. Their number is 800-538-1222.

Increasing the Giving—Idea #6

If you need to raise funds for a specific project, you might consider offering a small commemorative gift for a contribution. For example, when we were putting in our children’s playground (which cost approximately $50,000) we were quite surprised to learn that the sand for the playground alone would cost approximately $4,000. We raised the funds quickly and easily by selling "buckets of sand." We purchased bright yellow sand buckets and shovels and "sold" 100 of them for $40 each. The people loved it.

Increasing the Giving—Idea #7

Put pens not pencils in your pew racks. People don’t use pencils to write checks.

Increasing the Giving—Idea #8

If you use a decorated Christmas tree at your church, consider selling lights on your tree in memory of loved ones that have made their transitions. Or invite your congregants to purchase a light in memory of someone who lights up their life today. Obviously, the goal is to see how bright you can make the tree. (Special thanks to the San Diego Hospice where we first learned of a similiar idea).

Increasing the Giving—Idea #9

Consider doing an annual summer letter that can serve as a gentle reminder to folks to remember the church (financially and prayerfully) while they are away on their vacations. Send the letter out at the start of Summer—right after Memorial Day weekend is a good time. And be sure to say something low-key during your announcements 2 to 3 weeks after the letter is sent out. You might say something like, "We do want to say a great big thank you to those of who have been remembering the church with your gifts while you’re away. It makes such a difference." (Even if your response is not as good as you hope for, "thanking" whatever success you have gotten is another—gentle—way to remind people of the letter without making them feel guilty.)