Last year The Charis Group lost one of our associates, Ron Hayden, to cancer.  Ron was a pioneer in the stewardship field.  Much of what we do as a company reflects Ron’s input and influence.  Ron began to experience back pain about three years ago.  He went to chiropractors and physical therapists before finally having an extensive physical that revealed a growth of cancer.  Eighteen months later Ron was dead.  This morning I had my annual physical.  It is something I hate to do.  It is invasive, embarrassing and a hassle.  Yet getting a physical keeps me in optimal health.  I sometimes wonder what would have happened to my friend Ron if he had had a physical sooner rather than later.  How many others like Ron die too young as a result of not getting a regular check up?

Sadly most churches never do regular check ups on their stewardship.  As a result many do not know about potentially fatal trends that could be telling you something is wrong and needs attention.  Annual check ups allows your doctor to spot problems early on when treatments can be prescribed to cure the problem.  Left unchecked problems fester, get worse and ultimately spread.  While it may take time out of your schedule an annual check up is essential to good health.  What is true for our bodies is also true for our church bodies.

We at The Charis Group do reviews of giving for our clients twice a year.  We look at giving to the budget and giving to their capital campaign.  We do this in January and in July.  From our findings we help craft action plans to either fix a problem we have spotted or continue on with the success the church is seeing.  Wise leaders know that the time and money they spend will more than pay for itself down the road.  As you consider a giving check up for your church here are some things you should look at…

• Comparison of last years total receipts to this years
• Number of true giving units compared to last years
• Breakdown of various giving segments to show you growth, decline, strengths and weakness
• Average gift per giving unit and how that compares to earlier years
• How your top leaders are performing
• How the recession might be impacting your donations
• How any capital campaign you are running is fairing

By looking at these areas you can have a good picture of the stewardship health of your church.  Waiting too late to for a stewardship check up or simply not checking your stewardship progress is taking an unnecessary risk for your church especially during this recession.  Act now to prevent problems in the future.

Even if you are not in a capital stewardship campaign you can benefit from these check ups.  If you are in a capital stewardship campaign and your stewardship partner does not provide this service you need to call us.  Our fees are based upon the size of a churches budget and are very affordable.  Contact our Director of Marketing, Tom Holloway at Tom@TheCharisGroup.org today to find out what it would take to get your church an annual physical.  It coulf be the best money you spend this year.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

You know the old saying about the glass being seen by some as half full and by others as half empty?  My wife loves the following conversation in the Woody Allen film Scoop where the two main characters talk about that famous quote.   The following exchange takes place, “Sondra Pransky: You are a cynical crapehanger who always see the glass half-empty!  Sid Waterman: No, you’re wrong. I see the glass half full, but of poison.”  I fear that when most people look at the current economic recovery that is how they see it.  Any water in the glass is seen as being poison.

That thought occurred to me this morning as I read through my papers.  The news on the economy was mixed.  The big news was of the growing crisis in Greece that negatively impacted the Stock Market.  The Market which has been on a good slow run towards 12,000 dropped 213 points yesterday to close under 11,000.  Home prices showed a decline for the fifth straight month in February as many markets remained under pressure from foreclosures and high inventories.  Compared to a year ago prices rose for the first time since December 2006.  Yet the headline in even the conservative Wall Street Journal was, “Home Prices Still Pressured.”  Why was the headline not, “Home Prices Rise For First Time Since 2006?”  Was someone seeing what liquid was in the glass as poison?

Consider also that Consumer Confidence was reported to have increased in April from 52.3 to 57.9.  Since 70% of our economy is dependent upon consumers buying stuff isn’t that good news?  April’s 57.9 is the highest level of consumer confidence since the financial crisis hit in September of 2008.  However the same article that quoted that rise in confidence ended with the following sentence.  The writer said, “A separate gauge of consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan remains weak, leading some economists to cast doubt on the latest improvement.”  So, again is the glass half full or half empty?  If it is half full is it full of poison?

What does all this mean for you a Christian leader attempting to raise funds for your ministry?  It means you are up against a steady stream of negativity.  That negativity can and will show up at the offering plate.  It can and will show up in the board room as you attempt to make decisions.  From the press that loves a negative story to Washington that loves a crisis you and your people are inundated with Sid Waterman’s who view the glass filled with poison.

Not long ago I was talking to a Christian couple about the economy.  They had a particularly negative view of the recovery.  I told them that I was reading a new book that was projecting a rebound for the economy.  The wife asked what the title was.  I replied that it was entitled, “It’s Not As Bad As You Think,” by Brian Wesbury.  She replied, “Well, based on that title I already know I will not like it.”  Never mind what the author presents factually.  It simply does not mess with my glass half filled with poison view.  What I found interesting is that this couple were key leaders in their church.  What perspective might they bring to the table when discussion about possible expansion comes up?

While I do spend my days reading journals, looking at economic news, reading articles and books about giving and the economy I read a much more important book, the Bible.  While I too worry about jobs, housing prices and Consumer Confidence my ultimate confidence is in God.  As a Christian I know that tough times come to the righteous and the unrighteous.  I know life has its ups and downs.  The life of Paul is certainly a testimony to that truth.  Why should we expect anything different?  Yet in the end the glass is neither half full or half empty.  My glass, or cup if you will, runneth over!  Even when I don’t realize it or feel it, my cup is always full.  Tough times don’t last forever but tough people do!  We through Christ can do all things.  Spend some time today reflecting upon the goodness of God and His watch care and provision towards His church.  Your church is His church after all.  Do you really think He will let what is His fail?  When others see poison make sure you see the Son.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Last summer a ministry that we support sent us a letter in June asking us to donate to their “Summer of Love.”  We typically give once a year to this ministry towards the end of the year.  Yet the appeal was so well put together that I sent back a pledge that I would give $100 a month all summer long.  I got back a letter with an envelope for each month that made it easy for me to mail back my donation.  This ministry raised $300 from me that they would not have gotten all by simply asking.  Of course their appeal was based upon need and ministry but none the less if they had not asked they would not have received.  What plans do you have to counter the down time of giving this summer?

Summer for churches is typically a challenging time for offerings.  People tend to take their offering on vacation with them and spend it before they get back!  Not only do churches see a shortfall in giving but the summer is often a time that many of their ministries are in full gear.  This requires money to pay for those ministry initiatives.  So how do you counter this down turn.  One way is to devise a plan to boost you summer giving.  Here are some ideas…

Segment your donor list. Don’t make the mistake of treating every member in your congregation the same.  Donors who give regularly should get a different type of letter from those that hardly ever donate or never donate.  Treating everyone the same will dilute your success rate.  You are not showing favoritism in this segmentation you are simply using a laser focus to address each group with a specific message.

Announce to your leaders your plans first. I always believe that you should never spring something on your leaders at the same time you do your congregation.  I would hold a leadership meeting with all my ministry leaders and giving leaders.  I would outline for them your plans of ministry for the summer and then tell them about your summer giving plan.  Tell them the appeal will be congregation wide but that you really need their participation.  Then follow this up with a direct mail letter to them.  In that letter state that you are thankful for their continued support.  Never take them for granted and never miss an opportunity to thank them.  Ask them to give a little bit above what they might normally give.

Send a direct mail appeal to all your donor base. There is a reason you get direct mail from ministries, it works!  By simply asking for a donation and giving them a means to give, an envelope, you can garner hundreds of dollars you might never have seen.  I would follow up appeals like this with an online approach as well.  If your congregation responds best to email then use that medium.  Do whatever it takes to communicate the needs you have for funding summer initiatives.

Keep reminding them throughout the summer about the need to give. Most churches don’t talk about money too much they talk about it too little.  Don’t make the mistake of announcing a plan of action and then forgetting about it.  Your summer giving plans should include low key reminders throughout the summer.  You can do this by short platform announcements and announcements through your regular communications.  Your plan will need continual reminders to maximize your dollar intake.

If you know that the summer has always presented you with giving challenges, why not take steps to head off that crisis?  Why wait for the downturn before you attempt to do something?  These ideas can be a starting point for you.  You may develop even better ideas and plans.  The point however is to not just sit there doing nothing.  Do something now to insure that you will be able to fully fund all your ministry plans, including your salary!

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

One of the greatest mistakes that churches and pastors make is thinking that after the commitment phase of a campaign is over that the campaign is over.  The reality is that you have crossed one finish line only to find yourself standing at the start line of another race.  It is the race that really counts.  Having a fist full of pledge cards is nice but you have to count what counts, cash!  You have to turn those commitments into real donations to fuel the dreams of ministry you have.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been pulled into a campaign in the final closing months.  Sometimes the church had gone with another firm and were now going with us for their second or third campaign.  At other times the church had gone it on their own and realized that they needed help.  So often I am the bearer of bad news as I have to tell the leaders that they are going to be far off from the pledge amount.  This has been my experience on $25 million dollar campaigns and $2 million dollar campaigns.  From large churches to small follow up is one of the most neglected aspects of the campaign.

How can you avoid this mistake?  Here are some thoughts.

First engage a stewardship firm that stresses the importance of follow up. How will you know if they truly do that or are just saying that to get your business?  Ask their references how often they have heard from the firm in the three years of the partnership.  How often were they in contact with them?  Were they ever on site?  Too many firms after getting your money disappear until it is time for another campaign.  We at The Charis Group pride ourselves on our follow up program.

One value of having a good stewardship partner is that we keep you focused on follow up.  We continually keep in touch with our clients assessing their giving and making recommendations.  They know where they are in the process and what they need to do to reach the pledge total.  If for nothing else we are an accountability partner so that they do not neglect the campaign.

Realize that a campaign is a process not a point in time. Too many churches think that after the commitments are in the campaign is over.  It is just starting.  You have keep at it or you will fall far short of the amount of the pledge.  Commitments do not automatically come in.  You have to have a plan and work your plan to see a successful conclusion.

Keep the vision central throughout. The reason your members make a commitment to the campaign is because the vision is so compelling.  In the same way they will be motivated to keep that commitment.  In creative non-threatening ways you need to keep stressing the vision and thus the importance to continue to give to that vision.  Too many churches go silent on the reason why people made commitments and then wonder what went wrong at the end.  If you never talk about the campaign and its vision don’t be surprised if you miss your goal at the end.

I am a runner.  While I race much less these days there was a time that almost every weekend I was in a local race.  From 5K’s to marathons, to crazy ultra races at night I have pretty much done it all.  A 5K pace is all out and intense.  A marathon pace is much slower and determined.  Each race has its own pace.  You cannot run the marathon with a 5K pace.  You have to have the right pace for each race in order to hit your goals.  The same is true in capital campaigns.

We have erred to think that a campaign is the intensive part leading up to a commitment.  That might take three to six months.  It is intensive and sometimes exhaustive.  At the end we naturally want a break.  While some time is needed you have to realize that you are still in a campaign for the next year, two or three depending upon the length you set.  The intensive part of a campaign is like the mile run.  The follow up period is like a marathon.  Each is a race with its own rhythm and pace.

A good stewardship partner can coach you through the race so that at the end you have accomplished your goal.  Make sure you have the right coach.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

How big is your ask?  The size of your ask will determine the amount of money you raise.  Ask small get small.  Ask big get big.  So, the question is, how big is your ask?  You have to say that really slow and enunciate clearly but hopefully you understand.  When you make an “ask” make sure it’s big.

Recently I was in a conference call with a church that needed to decide what type of ask they were going to make.  They immediately wanted to remodel the existing sanctuary space that was going to run around $250K.  They currently carry a $3.5 million dollar debt that is paid nearly all through their operating budget.  In a couple of years they will need additional space for their expanding ministries.  They have had a series of mildly successful capital stewardship campaigns.  They were thinking about this year asking only for the money to remodel and then starting next year to raise the funds for expansion.  The decision was how big of an ask do you make.  With this in mind here are some thoughts.

Every time you make an “ask” you are pulling change out of your pocket. I always talk about how much spare change a pastor has in his pocket with the people he leads.  This will determine to a great degree the amount of money he can raise.  My old boss John Maxwell says that you must win the heart before you ask for a hand.  Too often we burn our bridges, empty out the spare change in our pockets so that when we really need dollars we are left empty handed.  Every time you ask your members to step up and give it takes some change from your pocket.  Make sure you spend your change wisely.

An “ask” is an “ask” is an “ask.” Pastors are sensitive towards being seen as that preacher.  You know the preacher that is always talking about money.  So, they tend to err on the side of caution.  Typically I find that they think if they only ask for small amounts that people will not mind.  Our problem is that small offerings over time equals out to a lot of offerings.  After you ask your members to give to the budget, give to missions, give to special needs and then to give to some project you have worn them out.  So an ask is an ask is an ask.  I might as well step up to the plate and ask big and get everything I need rather than parceling it out over time.

My experience has been when churches ask for a small amount before they make the big ask it never really works.  The reason why is that most lay people can see that in the near future you will be back at them with another ask that is much larger.  They will hold out or parcel out their dollars over time rather than step up in a big way.  Thinking that you are giving your people a rest by asking small will almost always cause failure in the amount of dollars you raise over time.

Make it count! My advice in most situations is to step up to the plate and make the ask count by making it a big ask.  This is especially true if your ask can be supported by a compelling vision.  Show members how this will impact the world for Jesus and they will support it.  Despite what some are writing, there is no future in small gifts accumulated over time.  Ask big and you will get big results.  Make every offering or commitment moment impactful and your members will rise to the moment.

So my question remains, how big is your ask?  By asking big with a supporting big vision you will raise maximum dollars.  Now is the time to step to the plate and aim for the fence!

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Many years ago when my kids were little a movie came out called “Space Camp.”  The gist of the movie was that all these smart kids would go to a NASA sponsored camp and get hands on experience around rockets and space stuff.  The final scene had a handful of them in a space shuttle rocket when NASA was test firing the engines.  However something went wrong and the only way to save the kids was to actually blast off with only a couple of adults who happened to get injured in the launch.  I know, but go with it it’s Hollywood.

After orbiting around the earth several times the kids were talked through how to re-enter the atmosphere and land the shuttle.  There was a concern about having enough oxygen for them to make one more orbit.  The controllers talked to them about hitting this particular window of opportunity.  If they missed it they might not have enough oxygen to make another try.  In life and ministry we are often faced with windows of opportunity.

As we talk to client churches this month we are hearing from many that they are going to hold a fall campaign.  They are interested in talking to us but we don’t sense any urgency in their communication to us.  It is as if they think the fall is a longs ways off.  In actuality churches that are not already working on their fall campaign are in danger of missing that window of opportunity.  They may have to pass around the globe another time before they can launch a successful campaign.

Here are some things that you need to think about if you are considering a fall campaign.

Give the process ample time. I get asked a lot how long does it take to pull off a successful campaign.  My answer, as with nearly every question, is, it depends.  There are so many factors that go into the timing of a campaign.  The one thing I can tell you is that I have never had a church say we started too early.  I have had countless churches say they wished they had started sooner.

Typically you should give yourself six months for the planning and implementation process.  A campaign can be run on less if the need demands such.  I once had a church that was forced by their bank to hold a campaign before they would loan them money.  We put together their plan in about two months.  Everyone felt the rush and pressure of that squeezed time frame.  There are times that planning and execution can take even longer than six months.  Start sooner to give yourself more flexibility in planning and execution.

Can you afford to miss this window of opportunity? Fall campaigns need to be concluded before Thanksgiving.  If you miss this window you will be looking at putting off raising dollars until spring time.  Can you afford to miss those thousands of dollars coming in?

Let’s say you have an existing debt that you need to pay off.  Can you budget that monthly payment until the campaign kicks in?  If you are planning a new building or purchase of land you are faced with other questions.  Will the bank loan you any money without a campaign?  Most will not even talk to you now without some liquidity in your account.

Have your campaign partner in place as soon as possible. I know some that read this think a statement like that is self serving.  You are right but not for the reasons you think.  Engaging your partner late in the process creates all kinds of problems for not only you but your consultant.  The sooner you have a partner at the table helping you navigate through the mine fields of project development the easy the journey will be for you.  A good partner will save you time and money.  Whatever their fee, their services will more than make up for the charge to your budget.

You should have your campaign partner selected ASAP!  The window of opportunity is fast closing on you.  I would advise that you have your partner selected no later than mid May if not sooner.  The more time he has to work with you the better the result will be.  So get busy.  Clear your calendar.  Do whatever you need to do to get this accomplished and get your campaign off to a good start.

In the movie “Space Camp” the implications for missing the window of opportunity was the potential loss of life.  For you, missing this fall campaign season might not cost anyone their life.  However it could cost your ministry time, momentum and money.  Don’t miss your window of opportunity!

While I am at it, give us a call and we can help you.  Our consultants still have available spots open to work your fall campaign.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Florence Littauer wrote a book entitled, “It Takes So Little To Be Above Average.”  You can surmise what the book is about.  In essence what separates the average from the exceptional are small little things that add up.  Yet so many never give that extra little to be above average.  I thought about this yesterday when I received my quarterly giving statement from the church I attend in an email.  The email contained only the following…

Dear church members,

Here is your 1st quarter statement. Please contact me with questions if needed. Have a blessed day!

It was signed by someone in the church office and had a pdf attachment listing my giving.  While I am grateful for the information and applaud the effort it misses the mark of being above average.  Don’t make the same mistake with your quarterly statements.  A well done quarterly statement, done above average, can and will result in more dollars in your offering plate.  So, using my own church as an example let me unbundle the elements.  First let’s look at what was positive about the statement I received.

Positive points to my church

1. They at least sent me something. Sending out a quarterly statement is an effective way of reminding members of the importance of donations.  At the minimum my thoughts were on my giving record of my church and how I need to win more contracts so I can give more!
2. It allowed me to track my commitment. Our church holds an annual pledge for budget each year.  We prayerfully estimated what we believe our tithe would be.  Opening the statement yesterday showed me where I stand in that commitment.  It was an effective reminder of my need for continued giving to achieve what I committed to.

Negative points to my church

1. It was not personalized. While it would have taken some effort at least putting my name on it would have taken it up a notch.  As it was it was a mass mailing that made me feel like just one other member of the heard.
2. It never expressed thanks. Churches are the worst in the world about thanking donors.  While members should give regardless it is always nice to be appreciated.
3. It came off as routinely sent without any thought or thoughtfulness. Sending statements by email would not be my choice.  I think people still like to get mail in the box as long as it is not junk mail.  Mass emails from my church are viewed by me in the same way as other mass mailings.

So, what would I do differently?  Quarterly statements should include at least three key elements.

1. A letter of thanks from the Pastor.
2. The statement of giving from the financial office.
3. An envelope that is postage paid. Next time you get a letter from a non-profit look to see if there is an envelope in it.

A sample thank you letter – Last week one of my clients, Phillips Temple, asked me to write them a thank you letter for their quarterly report.  Below is what I wrote…

Dear Mark and Valerie,

When I look out my office window my natural eye sees an empty parking lot.  In my spiritual eye however I see that lot full of cars with families streaming into our building each with a specific need.  If I were to walk into our worship facility it would be dark and empty as I viewed it with my natural eye.  Again, however I see it with my spiritual eyes much differently.  I see people worshiping God.  I see people with their Bibles open, pen in hand waiting expectantly for the Word of the Lord.  In short I see lives being changed for God’s glory!

We are truly blessed here at Phillips to see these things not as some far away vision but a reality each and every Sunday.  We see it so often that frankly we are in danger of taking it all for granted.  From time to time some in our church family come back from vacation or from visiting relatives where they attend another church service.  I hear continually our folks remarking that it just wasn’t Phillips!  We have been and continue to be blessed.  I never want us to take that for granted.

A part of what makes this such a great church is the giving spirit of you the church family.  During a time where many churches are thinking about bolting their doors shut we, due to your generosity are planning on expanding.  When many churches across our land are seeing a decline in giving we have seen increases.  That is because of your faithfulness.

Just as I never want us to take for granted what happens here Sunday after Sunday I want you to know that I never take your generosity for granted.  I wanted to write you this note to say thank you for all that you have given to this ministry.  We truly could not do what we do without your faithful and sacrificial gifts.  From the bottom of my heart I thank you and your family for your continued support.  You are one reason why Phillips is the great church it is.  For this I am eternally thankful.

I look forward to seeing a full parking lot and church this coming Sunday.  Let’s continue to pray and give that God will be glorified at Phillips Temple.

Your pastor,

Bro. Jimmy

While the above letter might not work for you the elements in the letter can certainly be crafted by you to write your own letter.  Taking the time to personally thank your donors might seem like a chore.  However it is that small little thing that will set you above average.  It might just help make the offering plate that much fuller this Sunday.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Remember about this time last year the press began reporting on how Swine flu was going to kill thousands of people in our country?  Turns out that never happened.  Millions of dollars were spent that could have been spent in other medical areas solving some crisis we ARE in rather than one we fear we would be in.  We seem in this country to have a mindset that gravitates to panic of any supposed fear.  Global warming comes to mind.  Al Gore makes a poorly researched documentary, gets an Oscar, tells us we are about to fry the planet and all of a sudden everyone is up in arms.  Then a few thousand emails get released from scientists who are suppose to be proving Al’s movie plot, only to find out they can’t prove global warming.  Now it appears that once again we have bought prematurely into panic.  At stake are many millions of dollars as Congress is still debating bills such as the Cap and Trade bill.  All of this because of panic.

When it comes to this last recession there are two views.  The minority of economists call it The Great Panic.  They espouse that if we simply left things alone we would have had a much milder recession.  No one really listened to them and in fact they were viewed like a person with three eyes, none of which could see.  The vast majority settled into calling the recession The Great Recession.  That was just short of calling it another depression.  Many people painted this last recession as a depression.  It was hardly a depression though.  In some ways this recession was not as bad as the recession of the early 1980′s.  If this is The Great Recession what was that?   At any rate as we move slowly out of the impact of this last recession the fears of many did not seem to materialize.  One reason for our slow recovery is fear.

How long will it take for your 401K to regain it’s value?  That was the question many were asking in the fall of 2008 after the Stock Market plummeted.  I read all kinds of predictions.  Most said years and some said a decade.  Some like Glenn Beck kept telling us that the Market would fall even further.  I sometimes wonder if Mr. Beck invests in all gold.  At any rate you found few who were advocating that investments would return any time soon.  Well, guess what?  They are back!  The Stock Market is around the 11K mark and seems to be gaining ground to go higher.  People are now seeing their 401K’s returning to at or near the levels there were in the early fall of 2008.  The panic has subsided once again.  In less than two years we recovered their value, not ten or even five.

Why is it we love to read about panic?  A lot of reasons but here are some to think about…

The press loves a bad story. Blood leads.  That is what the press continually gives us, negative news.  They give it to us because that is what we love to hear.

Politicians love a crisis. Both parties are guilty of this.  Hype a supposed crisis, insert your solution, cure problem with your solution and thus get re-elected year after year.

These two powerful forces, which actually feed upon each other, set the stage for continued negative news.  Now while the economy is showing signs of recovery we are still faced with negativity.  Brian Wesbury in his weekly email send recorded these thoughts about the recovery.  He wrote the following…

“Unfortunately, there is a group of people who still haven’t arrived at the station – mostly because they confuse politics with economic forecasting. Many Republicans and quite a few conservative television commentators are still trying to use the Clinton/Carville method of winning elections – “It’s the Economy, Stupid.” As a result, they keep telling anyone who will listen that the Obama agenda is going to kill the economy – RIGHT NOW.

But they will be wrong. It is true that more government spending and regulation, higher taxes, and government mandates will erode growth in the future. And it is true that recent growth in government will make it less likely the US will be the home of the next Apple iPad-type device. The fact of the matter is that big government and high tax rates hurt the entrepreneurial spirit and slow economic activity (see growth in Europe versus the US).   But arguing that this recovery is not happening is a losing proposition. It is happening…”

So the press and politicians have created a negative climate these last few months that has produced near panic among the people.  One would think that in the church you would find things different.  Yet in my experience these past few months we have seen Christians buy into this panic.  One reason why is the predominant eschatology of most evangelical churches, Premillennialism.  Premillennialism holds the view that as Christ’s return nears things will grow continually worse.  So, events like the demise of our economy are seen as signs of the times.  Those who are the most ardent in this view look for any and all signs of trouble as the harbinger of Christ’s return.  As a result they tend to negative in their view and outlook.

Now before you fire off an email to me or write me off, let me say, I believe in the literal return of Jesus! What is more, I would say that my millennial view tends to lean towards premillennialism.  I do own a Scofield Bible after all.  However I tend to agree with James Dobson who said, “All theories of Christ’s return are based upon human interpretation.”  So perhaps more than anything I am a panmillennialist.  I believe in the end it will all pan out!

My views aside how is this relevant to stewardship?  It has been my observation that an overwhelmingly negative view keeps many churches from moving forward. I have actually heard Christians comment that since times are getting tougher their church should not build.  While not exactly a Millerite kind of statement it does have the same spirit.  We are commanded to wait with expectation for the return of the Lord.  However waiting does not mean sitting down.  We wait, by serving like a waiter waits a table.  While I pray and hope that Jesus returns today I work to continue to build His Kingdom.  When He comes I want him to find me busy.  What about you and what about your church?

Since we know not the hour of our Lord’s return let us be about continuing to build His Kingdom.  Now is not the time to put off that building to aide you in ministry.  Now is the time to move forward.  It is time we reject negativity from whatever source it might come.  Jesus will return and hopefully soon.  Until then what are you doing to help build His Kingdom?

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Good vision trumps bad economy! I have been preaching that ever since I first wrote that almost three years ago well before the current recession hit us.  During that time our client churches have raised incredible amounts of money to fund their visions.  Some of those clients are in the hardest hit economic areas of the country.  Yet their vision has motivated people to sacrifice to see it happen.  It all boils down to vision.  What is your vision?

Developing your Vision

There are scores of books on vision and how to develop one.  In fact it has been one of the most written about and talked about subjects in Christian leadership circles for the last decade.  You probable have been to those conferences and have those books on your shelf.  You like me probable formed a team to study and craft a vision statement.  In my opinion we have made vision development overly complicated.  Most vision statements that I see are either trying to be too cute or too broad to ever be effective.  If we were honest most people in our pews don’t know truly what our vision is nor do they really care.  I think this is again due to the fact that we have made it overly complicated.

Please understand that I am not trying to minimize the importance of vision.  It is crucial.  I just think that we have made it too difficult and have muddied the waters not only for ourselves but the people we lead.  I think finding your vision is much more simple than we have made it.

What is in your heart?

Two Old Testament figures come to mind of how to establish a vision.  First David is a prime example of someone that was driven by a vision that in turned drove Israel to accomplish more than they ever dreamed of.  While his son Solomon is known for building the temple it really was David’s dream and vision that began the process.  As we know God would not let him build it since he was a man of war.  However listen to what he tells the leaders of Israel in I Chronicles 28:2, “King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my brothers and my people.  I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark…”  He then laid out his dream and vision.  In chapter 29 he leads the people to give willingly to fund the new temple.  The offering that was given in chapter 29 was a result of a vision David had in his heart and communicated in chapter 28.

Nehemiah is another example of someone that God placed a burden in his heart.  In chapter one after he hears of the disgrace of the broken walls of Jerusalem he, “mourned and fasted and prayed before God.”  In chapter two he is given permission and aide from the King to rebuild the walls.  He begins by inspecting the walls.  Nehemiah 2:12 says, “I set out during the night with a few men.  I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem.”  What was in his heart ultimately led to the walls being rebuilt in fifty two days!

What is in your heart?  What do you get excited about when you dream about the future of your church or ministry?  What keeps you up at night?  Those are the things that are the basis for your vision.  Start there.   Show people what is in your heart not some catchy phrase or acrostic.  People respond to vision.   Money follows vision!

The Three C’s of Vision

While I am not a huge fan of catchy vision statements I do readily admit that how you communicate your vision is crucial.  Down through the years I have counseled on what I call the three C’s of vision.  Evaluate your vision on the basis of these three C’s.

Make it Clear

Above all else do your members clearly understand what it is you are attempting to do?  Many years ago I happened to be working in a church in the town that my brother lived in.  The president of the huge national insurance firm that he worked at happened to be a member of the church where I was working with.  My brother one day told the president that his little brother was helping the church the president attended.  The president remark, “Yes I know they are raising funds but I am not sure what it is all about.”  When my brother told me that my heart sank as the pastor was counting on the president of this firm to be a substantial donor like he had been at the local state university in town.  However this man could not even tell my brother what his church was doing.  The vision was not clear.  Is your vision clear?  Can your members easily tell their work associates, neighbors and friends what you are doing and why?  When visions are not clear people will not donate even in the best of economic times.

Keep it Concise

Donors have basically two questions, does this make sense and can you pull it off?  Answer those questions and you will get their dollars.  Remember the old KISS acrostic?  It stands for Keep It Simple Somehow.  KISS is a good advice for communicating your vision.

Several years ago I worked with a church in the Northwest that had just finished working up their vision statement.  On the telephone one day the pastor told me he would fax it to me.  When it finally finished coming through my fax machine it was twenty five pages long!  I laughed when I saw that every point and sub-point was alliterated.  I was not surprised that we had difficulty raising funds around this vision as the people never could quite grasp what it was about.  Your people ought to be able in one to two sentences tell what it is you are about and how you propose to do it.  Remember Keep It Simple Somehow!

Cast it Compellingly

The most important thing of all is to make your vision matter in the hearts of your members.  You have to realize that they have multiple opportunities of where to spend their money including other ministries that are after their charitable gift.  A compelling vision that motivates the heart will even in the worst of economic times cause dollars to come to your ministry.  Show your donors how their gift will make a difference and they will rise up to support it financially.  Fail to communicate your vision in a compelling and passionate way and you will struggle through this economically challenging time.

If you will follow these basic principles you too can raise the funds to fuel your vision.  Fail to do so might mean that what is in your heart never becomes a reality.  How many dreams never get off the drawing board?  Make sure your God given dream becomes a reality.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Friday’s Wall Street Journal had an article with the headline, “Shoppers Opened Their Wallets Last Month.”  The article highlighted the report on March retail sales increases released the day before.  Like all good news, this news drove the Stock Market up that Thursday.  It was another glimmer of hope for a country desperately searching for some true hope and change, mainly in the economy.  The article highlighted quotes from Ken Perkins, president of Retail Metrics as saying, “It’s a blow-out month, the biggest monthly increase we’ve seen since we began tracking monthly retail sales in 2000.”  Their report showed that on average, same-store sales jumped 8.7% for the month.  Consider comparable sales in March from a year earlier in these chains…

• Kohl’s up +23%
• Aeropostale up +19%
• Nordstrom up +17%
• Macy’s up +11
• Target up +10

While it may be grasping at straws to find some encouraging news about the recovery,this news added to other factors points again to the end of the recession.  Consider that the Stock Market is flirting with the 11,000 level.  The housing slump appears to have hit bottom and is slowly on the rise.  My builder friends are seeing new houses starting to come up out of the ground.  Even unemployment while still high seems to have leveled off and might be beginning to slowly decline.  Add all these factors together and you have the true makings of a recovery.

But what does shoppers returning to the malls, not just to look but actually buy mean for you the church?  Here are some thoughts.

When consumer confidence is high, people spend money.  When people spend money America goes back to work.  When America goes to work, workers make money.  Christian workers give off of what they make.  Your offering plate gets a little fuller.

Simple but true.  Much of what happens at the Mall’s of America is based upon how people feel.  If they feel things are on the upward track they tend to spend more.  If they fear the future and that the recession will linger on, they close up they purses.  So, it appears that Americans are feeling a bit better about things.  Enough so that they went out and spent money.  That feeling gets carried over into your offering plate.  Let me illustrate that.

Most of your attendees only give you 5% to 10% of your total dollars. These people pad your number count but make only a small dent in your offerings.  However their 5% to 10% is nothing to sneeze at.  That 5% to 10% is the decline range that is seen in those churches that have seen their giving drop.  The “feel” of these attendees is that when the economy is tough they need to hang onto any extra money, including their offering money.  Now that they “feel” a bit better about things you have a better chance of recouping that lost 5% to 10%.  It is my position that when consumer confidence is higher on Main Street it is higher in the pew.  Expect 2010 to be a rebound year in giving for those churches that saw a decline.

While we might not like this truth I believe that none the less more people buying at the Mall means more money at the church.  Still as with the retailers at the Mall you need to get your message out to your shoppers.  While your leaders still pull the weight of the wagon, having some help is better than nothing.  Find ways to engage these band wagon Christians.  Doing so could result in 5% to 10% in increased offerings.  The main reason however is that starting to give something is the first step in becoming a true giving disciple.  Take what they give you and teach and pray for more.

Shop on ladies and gentlemen!

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group