How To Significantly Impact Giving In Your Church
Which Is Better, Building A Team Or Signing All Stars
(And How Answering This Question Can Significantly Impact Giving In Your Church)
Football season is FINALLY here!
I'm a huge football fan and this is pretty much the only time of year I watch a lot of television.
Every year certain teams are expected to excel, to outperform other teams because they signed a bunch of all stars in the off season...
...and every year many of those same teams significantly underperform, often times not even making it to the playoffs.
All the while the teams that take their time, develop players and build systems seem to experience significantly more success.
And when a team gets a reputation of not just building a great team - but building great people - the recruiting then takes care of itself.
What does this have to do with the church or giving? (Glad you asked!)
When I planted my first church I thought God's plan to increase our offerings was in recruiting the "all star" giver, you know, the guy with a lot of money who could scribble a check if the church had a need.
(BTW - "that guy" never showed up!)
However, over time I realized a couple of problems with this approach...
#1 - My job was not to get money out of people - but rather help them take their next steps in their walk with Jesus.
#2 - People who give a lot of money also want a lot of control - and if you are going to lead with vision...the vision can't be for sale.
So - how do we build a team of givers (who are doing so because they are growing in their walk with Jesus - and not because we guilted them into it?)
Simple - when it comes to giving - we ask them to start somewhere.
I used to believe in asking for people for the tithe right off the top - 10%, no exceptions.
Let me be very clear - I still believe in the tithe; however, if someone is brand new to your church, maybe even brand new to faith - asking them for 10% of their income (especially when most of them are cash strapped) will usually drive them away rather than drawing them in.
However, asking them to start somewhere - that's something anyone can do.
What would that look like practically?
Simple - after a message on giving (or during an offering prep) you might say, "I understand that giving 10% might seem extreme to some in the room. Heck, it seemed extreme to me at one time. So, if that's you - I understand. However, I also want you to learn you can trust Jesus in every area of your life - including your finances. So - today - start somewhere. Maybe you can commit to $10 a week, or maybe $20 - doesn't matter, I just want for you to try it and see if it works."
Issue this challenge for 3-4 weeks in a row...and...understand the KEY to this approach is follow up!
Two or three weeks later ask the people in the room how many of them have tried giving - whether it's $10 or $20 - ask them, "Did you miss that money? Do you feel you've been blessed over the past few weeks? If so - then what is your next step when it comes to giving, what's the next level for you? And, if it doesn't work for you - no worries, I am so thankful you gave it a shot."
I can promise you this will absolutely engage more people when it comes to giving in your church. You won't see an immediate spike; however, over time if you will commit to the process you will see a significant increase in more and more people trusting Jesus with their finances - and your church being funded so you can accomplish the vision God has placed in your heart.
How do I know this approach works? it's the one I am using now - with a digital campus (Second Chance doesn't even meet at a physical location yet!) If it works online I know it will work at a live location.
Give it a shot - and let us know how it goes.
PS - I have an entire video based curriculum on how to build a generous culture in your church. The normal price is $149 - but if you put in this code at checkout - Giving 09 - it will save you $50!!! AND...if you get one person in your church to start giving in your church because of what you learn in these videos (and you will) the $99 investment pays for itself.