End the Year Well To Start the New Year Great

Are you taking the steps now to position your ministry for a successful 2009?

Winning teams have a plan for the fourth quarter. You can watch the coach on the sideline looking at his chart of various scenarios to pick out the winning set of plays. You can tell that they have left nothing to chance but thought through every possibility. He only needs to check the chart to see what plan of action the game plan calls for. Games are won or lost in the final quarter. Good teams come prepared to play all four quarters. Those that donít play the game out face a blue Monday morning.

I am continually amazed at Christian ministries that have no plan at all. Now is the time to begin planning for a good end to the year. That plans needs to be more involved than simply begging for more money. It would include first looking frankly at where your current giving is. How does it compare to last year? What did you receive in the fourth quarter last year? What steps do you need to take to see that amount or more in this fourth quarter?

Most Christian ministries are unknowingly positioning themselves for a difficult year in stewardship in 2009 by not ending the present year well. It is crucial to end this year as best as you can so that you give yourself every opportunity to succeed in the next year. Sadly it seems that many ministries are too focused on the now to think about the future. While we must take care of business now you also must have your eye on the next year.

As you think about your plan let me below outline some reasons why you should be focusing on the fourth quarter and some practical steps that you might consider implementing into your game plan.

Why should you focus on a strong fourth quarter close out?

Here are some reason for your consideration...

Banks are looking to see positive increases in giving from year to year With the current banking crisis you can still find banks that are loaning money. However as we have been counseling it is taking longer to get a loan and you will have to jump through more hoops. You can count on the fact that banks will want to look at your financial status much more closely than in the past. When your giving dips below what it does from a pervious year it might not totally disqualify you but it will cause them to pause, ask more questions and potentially rule you as too great a risk. Banks are looking for safe risks and any dip in giving raises a yellow flag for them.
Showing progress is not only good for the bank it is good for the confidence of your people. It seems as if every time we turn around there is another story in the news of failure and crisis. Part of that is the result of the reelection year we are in and the other is that the press loves negative stories much more than positive ones. As a result the "feel" of the country is one of angst. Ending well for your ministry can set a positive stage for the future. At a time when we are watching venerable institutions fail we need the assurance that our church stands firm and tall. Ending the year ahead of last year and in the black sends a positive message to your donors. Winning begets winning.
It gives you momentum and a broader base for the next year. In football itís called the "Big Mo." Closing out this current year will give you steam for the next. By closing out well you will not only challenge your long time donors but attract newer ones as well. This will increase and broaden your base giving you more potential in the next year.

What practical steps can you take to end well?

Hold a rally of your leadership. We are seeing the various politicians around the country holding rallies to get out the vote. Personally I feel these are more for the faithful to that candidate than to convince the undecided. Politicians know however that you have to rally your base. When the base is excited their enthusiasm spills over. They talk to their friends and neighbors and those that are on the fence. Rallies excite your base to work harder.

The same is true for your base. We counsel our clients to at least once a year hold a summit with their leaders to give ministry updates, previews of the future and updates and challenges for stewardship. Frankly it is your leadership that gives the most and can and will respond to an appeal to end the year well. Tell me what your leaders will do and I can show you what your ministry will do. I would gather my leaders together and paint a positive picture of what your ministry is doing. People give to success not failure so show them your ministries successes. Thank them for what their gifts have allowed you to do this past year. Be frank with them about the need to end well. Donors appreciate having inside information about the standing of the ministry. Challenge them to help the ministry finish well.
Preach a sermon or series on stewardship. George Barna years ago in his research showed that ministries that preach even once on stewardship saw an increase in giving. Those that preached a series or more than once saw an even greater increase. It is not that the church talks too much about money it is often how we talk about it. Using guilt to get your members to give might cause next weekís offering to go up but it will not cure the real problem. Preach positively on stewardship and you will find your donations increase.
Hold a special giving day or month. You might have tried a ìProve the Titheî day before or something similar. While I am not a huge fan of one day pushes in and of themselves something like this might help close the gap in your giving. My advice is to not do this too much or it tends to back fire on you. However it could if positioned correctly give you the boost you need and build positive momentum for the future.
Write and end of year letter to all donors. We advise all our clients to write an end of year letter every year. This letter should go out around Thanksgiving to the entire congregation asking them to remember your ministry in their end of year giving. You can be sure that para church organizations are sending them an appeal. Get your lure in the water or someone else will catch the fish in your pond. The letter needs to be positive and upbeat. It should state the positive successís of the last year. It should thank them for their support in making that happen. It should point out some of the needs for the future and frankly ask them to consider an extra end of year gift. I would further encourage you to put a postage paid envelope in the letter so that they can mail their gift back to you. The money you will get in the mail will more than make up for any expense in sending the letter.

These are just a few ideas that could mean all the difference in how you end the year. Donít wait until December to finish out well. At that point it is too late. A well crafted plan now can help you not only finish this year well but it might just assure you the loan you need for the future and the momentum to win in 2009.

As George Allen once said, "The Future is Now!"

Mark Brooks
Founder and President of The Charis Group

Check out my new blog The Stewardship Coach. I regularly post articles ranging from how the economy is impacting donations to leadership thoughts. By signing up you can get regular updates each time I post a new note.

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