Five Tracks That Lead To Increasing Your Giving

The New York Giants won the recent Super Bowl.  To win they developed a game plan and then executed their plan.  Winning teams always have a game plan.  While talent and skill are important without a plan you will not win.

Churches need plans too.  We have growth plans, discipleship plans and mission plans.  Few if any churches I encounter have  a plan for stewardship.  It is  one reason why giving is in decline and will continue to decline even when the economy improves.   What is your stewardship plan?  You need a stewardship plan if you are going to increase your giving and meet the needs of your ministry initiatives.  Here are five tracks that your giving plan should focus on.

1.  The Pastoral Track.  The number one mistake that churches make in terms of not raising money is the absence of pastoral involvement.  I believe a Senior Minister should devote at least 10% of his time weekly to thinking about stewardship.  The best fund raiser in any church is the pastor!  What plans do you have as a pastor to help increase giving in your church?  The pastoral track should include not only your preaching upon stewardship but your personal involvement and interaction with your donors.

2.  The Platform Track.  Every weekend we get to address the bulk of our donor base.  Non-profits are jealous of that kind of contact.  Yet few churches think about their platform strategy leading towards generous giving by those in attendance.  I have written extensively about the need to make the offering time meaningful and worshipful.  Start this week spending at least thirty minutes thinking through the offering and what will be said.  Don’t waste this opportunity.  http://thecharisgroup.org/ebooks/elevator-pitch-your-offerings/

3.  The Electronic Track.  The world is fast changing in terms of how commerce is done.  Yet in the church we are still essentially using the same tools we have used for centuries.  You should have online giving set up with a wide varieties in which people can give.  Make giving easy for your donors and you will see your giving increase.

4.  The Direct Mail Track.  It might seem counter to what I just said about being electronic but direct mail can bring in thousands of dollars to your church.  Not only does this work by utilizing old fashioned snail mail but it also works with direct email.  You should be regularly sending out letters to your donors giving them opportunities to give to the causes your church supports.

5.  The Campus  Track.  People typically no longer carry around their checkbooks or a lot of cash.  This could be one reason why offerings are declining.  At the point of being asked to make a contribution the average donor has little in his or her pocket.  We advocate that you have giving portals strategically set up around your church so that donors can give on campus.  One of my clients takes in $3K a week through their giving kiosk.  Can people give to your church if they don’t have their checkbook with them?  Remember, by making giving easier you will see an increase in giving.

The  New York Giants are basking in the glow of yet another Super Bowl win.  Soon they will wear the ring of a champion.  Will your church have a winning year in terms of giving?  It could if you will develop a plan of action.  These are the five tracks that we concentrate on and build for our client churches.  I believe all five are needful and important.  Start today analyzing your plan, or lack of a plan, to see if it addresses all five of these tracks.  Some simple planning on your part will make all the difference between seeing a decline in giving or an increase.

Mark Brooks

Founder and Pastor

The Charis Group

PS.  We develop stewardship plans for churches at a price that is affordable.  Contact us today to find out how we can build a personalized plan for your church.

Be Sociable, Share!

•