One thing that many pastors put off is a capital campaign.  I meet with pastors all over the country that will tell me they don’t need a capital campaign now because their project is a year or two in the future.  So in their minds any need to raise funds is far down the road.  Why raise funds for something that you are only in the planning stages of?  Why raise funds months in advance of breaking ground?  While it might seem to not be pressing to start a campaign in advance of a project that delay could in actuality be costing you thousands of dollars.  Here are some things to consider when it comes to the timing of your next campaign.

Every week you delay raising capital dollars you are losing money.  Your members will not open a savings account and put  over and above tithe money in it for the day you launch your capital campaign.  They will spend that money somewhere.  Either Mickey or McDonalds or some other ministry will get that money.  So start sooner rather than later to raise the dollars you need.

Dollars are raised by a compelling vision not a detailed architectural plan.  I once helped a church raise money in a campaign to buy land for their relocation.  They were not sure where the land was but they knew it would cost them a considerable amount when the right property came available.  So they told the congregation their plans and that they needed to raise money in advance to meet the needs of their future.  The people readily responded.  The vision of what the future could be was what drove the members to begin giving to that future.  The same will be true for you.

A project from start to finish could run twenty four to thirty six months!  One thing you can be sure of is that your project will take longer to pull off than you think.  Thus what in your mind might be a long way out is in reality right on top of you when you consider all the planning that goes into a project.  The mistake many pastors make is waiting too late to start their campaign.

 Banks are requiring more from churches.  There is no standard criteria that all banks require of churches.  However one thing that will help you in acquiring a loan is A. already being in a capital campaign and B. having cash on hand.  As the saying goes, “Cash is King!”  By starting now instead of waiting you can accumulate a healthy reserve that positions you much better with lending institutions.  Also, the more you raise now the less you will have to borrow in the future.

The cost of your project will be more than you think.  Frankly it will take you more time and cost you more money than you think.  So, count on the fact that you need more funds than you think.  Again, putting off raising funds only means you lose funds.  Also, one thing many churches overlook is the soft costs of a project.  Even initial architectural work costs.  So does zoning and planning commission fees and all that goes into that.  By beginning to raise funds far in advance of ground breaking day you will be prepared for those soft costs and will be positioning yourself to bring the project in on time.

The one thing that I hear pastors say to me is that they wished they would have started sooner on their campaign.  They learned the hard way that procrastination only cost them time and money.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have all the time in the world.  It may be later than you think.  It might be just the right time for that campaign.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

What Should Your Online Strategy Look Like?

After all this I hope I have you convinced that you that you need an online strategy.  Here are some basic thoughts on what you should be doing.

1. Begin now to build an email data base if you have not already.  I had a church of 2,500 in attendance pass down each row a tablet for members to record their emails upon.  Now on all registration there is a place for attendee’s and members to give their email addresses.  It is time to get into the 21^st century and have every members email address at your disposal.

2.  Develop a plan of action to use those emails effectively.  The American Society for the Cruelty to Animals in New York began a campaign asking members to give them their email addresses.  The first email message after that was sent to thank them for signing up and inform them of ways they could help including sending a donation.  The next three messages were more explicit requests for donations.  That plan might not work for you but have some plan of action.

3.  Initiate online giving through your ministries website.  If you have not already you should have a way in which members can get online to make their donations. If you have an email data base you can utilize it to drive people to your online giving when asking for an appeal.  The easier you make it for people to donate the more money you will raise.  Sadly some churches you have to hunt to find their online giving page.  Make sure your giving button is clearly visible.

4.  Go beyond the current web technologies to embrace the cutting edge.  Too often we in the Christian world are behind the times.  The web and email are nearing a saturation point.  You may want to invest in social networking sites, text messaging and other online tools to help you raise funds.  We are currently working with numerous churches helping them build an App for iPhone and Android phones.  If you don’t have an App you are behind!

5.  Whatever you do diversify!  Never put all your eggs into one basket.  That is good advice in investing and its good advice for Christian ministries.  You should have a diversified approach to raising funds that encompasses both traditional and nontraditional methods.  The same is true for online strategies.  Giving members a variety of ways to donate can and will increase your offerings!

What Would Paul Do?

Can you imagine the Apostle Paul operating in our world today?  I think he would have an iPhone a Twitter account and be on Facebook.  Remember, he said in I Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”  Should not we in the church utilize technology so that we too might save some?  Get started today on your online plan for increasing your offerings.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

PS.  If  you want to know more information about how you can have your own mobile app go to this site http://www.grimmbrothersmedia.com/webinar.html

Don’t panic.  In all probability the decline is slight not dramatic.  It might mean you are forced into taking some serious steps.  It could simply mean that spending has to be curtailed.  Yet left unchecked any decline can snowball to be a major problem.  In my experience most churches wait too late to try and correct budget shortfalls.  Then they panic.  Donors seldom ever respond well to panic.  You have to find the balance between over reacting and not reacting at all.

Do something and do it now!  Hoping your giving increases is not a strategy for success.  You need to act and act quickly to stem the tide.  The longer you put off corrective actions the harder it will be to turn the ship around.  Start sooner rather than later to work on your budget decline.

Take ownership of the decline.  By taking ownership I am not saying it is your fault.  I am saying that one reason giving declines is that no one at the church owns stewardship.  My belief is that the pastor should be the primary driver towards turning the ship around.  As the old Truman quote goes, “The buck stops with you.”

Get the facts.  If you are old enough to have watched Dragnet or you are bored enough to watch the re-runs you will know that the key phrase was, “Just the facts, Ma’am.”  Too many churches simply don’t know the true status of their giving.  It is much more complex than simply looking to see if this year’s giving is ahead or behind last year’s giving.  You need to carefully analyze your giving asking the right kinds of questions of the data.  Not knowing your giving facts is like running the Indy 500 with a blind fold on.  Sooner rather than later you will crash.  Ignorance when it comes to your giving patterns is not bliss it is simply ignorance!

Face the facts.  Numbers don’t lie.  While it might be uncomfortable to realize that you are losing donors you need to find out why?  What is the cause of your decline?  Is it the economy or something else?  Too many churches have blamed the economy on the decline when in reality there are other issues at stake.  Hiding your head in your office will not make the decline go away.  You have to be willing sometimes to probe and find out why giving is declining.  Only in finding out the reasons for the decline can you then take steps to correct the decline.

Act on the facts.  I am amazed at how many churches increase their budget in spite of the fact that their giving is declining.  Donors want to know that you are responsible.  If you continue to ignore your decline in giving and spend money like it grows on trees then don’t be surprised if your donors abandon you.  If giving is in decline the hard reality is that you need to become much more fiscally responsible.

Build a plan of action.  I am always amazed at how few churches have stewardship plans.  If you are experiencing a decline in giving it demands your attention.  Failing to act will mean that ministries will go unfunded.  It could even mean you take a cut in pay!  So, build a stewardship plan of action.

Build your plan around a compelling vision.  Big visions get big dollars!  People give to that which matters.  Many times the reason giving is in decline is that members don’t see how their dollars make a difference.  Good vision always trumps bad economy!

Work your plan.  I have crafted stewardship plans for churches that sit on shelves and collect dust.  The best plan if not enacted is worthless.  You have to work at increasing your giving.  It must be something that is on your radar continually.  So after crafting your plan work your plan.

Say thank you.  Churches seldom if ever thank their donors.  Non-profit charities lavish praise and thanks upon their donors.  We could learn a lesson from them.  Never take your donors for granted.  One way to see an increase in giving is to treat the gifts you have received with honor and gratitude.

While the times we live in are challenging it does not mean that ministry has to cease.  We need to remember that in times past the church has weathered EVERY economic down turn.  Your church can and will weather this one as well.  Taking these ten simple steps can start you on the road to seeing your giving increase.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Tragically we spend more time planning the announcements, which are NOT worship, than we do planning the offering, which IS worship!  As a result the offering has become the most neglected aspect of the worship service.  If you the pastor or church leader ignore the offering don’t be surprised if your attendees don’t ignore it too.  Giving as a percent of income in the US has fallen from 3.11% in 1968 to 2.38% in 2009.  Could our cavalier approach to the offering be one reason why?  Admit it, the offering is an afterthought most of the time.

Elevator Pitch Your Offerings 

In my e-book, “Elevator Pitch Your Offerings,” I write the following…

“Not long ago I was watching Fox News when I saw a report on how to craft the perfect elevator pitch. It caught my interest. Around that time I began reading a book entitled, The Influential Fundraiser, and it talked about the importance of your elevator pitch.

The elevator pitch arrives from the idea that you are riding in an elevator when a big shot company executive enters in. You have maybe thirty seconds of time with him or her. What you say in those thirty seconds of riding the elevator will mean the difference of whether you get a full hearing later or are simply forgotten. The idea is to comprise the key information about you into a thirty second burst of energy that will “sell” your idea or you.

So, pretending I am on the elevator with you I might say, “Ah, Pastor Smith, you might have heard that giving to churches is off in this recession. In fact your church might be experiencing a decline in giving. When giving declines, ministry initiatives are threatened. Lives are impacted. Yet the churches we are partnering with have seen their giving go UP during this recession. We work with good churches and make them better. I would love to talk to you about how we can increase your giving.” That is better than simply, “Hi, my name is Mark and I would really like to talk to you about my company.”

My point is you need an elevator pitch as well. If you think about it every Sunday you have an elevator moment – we call it the offering. Most pastors say something at that point in the service. Some explain away how people are not required to give; we don’t want to offend the guests. Some almost beg for money to be given. Some use guilt or some other tactic. Once when I was working on Joel Osteen’s campaign I attended Lakewood one Sunday morning. He had his wife Victoria take up the offering. All pastors have some approach to the offering even if they have no stated approach – I call it the Lack of an Approach. Again, I think you get my drift.

So, if you could boil down in an elevator pitch why people should put their hard earned money in the offering plate what would you say? The Influential Fundraiser says, “Every elevator pitch should have three elements: think, feel and do.“

The Think, Feel and Do of the Offering

The book states that in crafting your elevator pitch you need to prepare it in reverse order; by starting with what action you want your speech to ensure. In the case of the offering you want their gift. Next, you imagine the emotion or feeling in those people that will likely move them to give their offering. Finally, you select and then shape the information or data you feel will likely create that emotion and thus their response.

There might be other ways to structure the message but this should get you thinking. Hopefully this post will cause you to think about a segment of the service that rarely gets thought or preparation, the offering. I can tell you one thing; the pastors that we work with have an elevator pitch. Maybe that is why their giving has increased. Do you have an elevator pitch?

When your elevator moment arrives what will you say? Guess what? Every Sunday you have an elevator moment, the offering. What you say could make the difference between making budget this year or laying off staff members and canceling ministry. You better get your elevator pitch on!

Make the offering time a thought-out part of the service; much the same as the sermon and other aspects of worship. A well planned offering appeal will result in maximized donations. Spend some time weekly thinking about new and creative ways to elevator pitch your offering times. Work hard to make the offering special and I think you will find your offering plates will be fuller!”

A little thought and effort could go a long ways towards your offering being exceptional rather than simply boring.  Remember the offering is worship.  Like all other elements of your worship planning it deserves your thoughts and attention to detail.  The time spent will be well worth it!

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

PS. If you are interested in my e-book, “Elevator Pitch Your Offerings: A one year plan for short stewardship messages” you can go to this site for more information http://thecharisgroup.org/ebooks/elevator-pitch-your-offerings/

Apparently many in the media simply cannot resist telling a terrible story.  In my search for facts on the internet I found an article by a reporter talking about the wave of foreclosures happening around the country.  He stated, “Now, with donations down 15 to 25 percent nationwide, there is a growing number of churches in financial crisis.”  Where did he get that figure?  While there is debate about how much of a decline actually happened at even the height of the last recession it was no where near double digit.  Overall reports are now showing that the economy actually had little impact overall on church giving.  For a detailed report on church giving see http://www.emptytomb.org/pubs.html

When all of this press hit the fan this time last year I blogged in response.  You can find the first article refuting the Wall Street Journal piece  at the following link: http://thecharisgroup.org/2011/01/25/not-so-fast-wall-street-journal-another-perspective-on-church-foreclosures/  I wrote a follow up post that summarizes my objections to the deluge of negative press on this issue.  You can find that link here http://thecharisgroup.org/2011/01/27/why-the-wsj-article-on-church-foreclosures-is-such-a-big-deal/

One Year Later What Can Be Learned?

Here are some things that I think are crucial for all of us to learn with regards to the media hype…

• Simply because a few churches are facing financial difficulty does not mean that your church will experience the same thing.
• The media almost always over estimates the impact of any event.  Remember blood leads.  Then the media seldom if ever corrects their errors.
• There is always more to a story than what meets the eye or what the press tells us.
• Base what you do on sound principles and your churches record not your buddies across town.
• Base what you do upon God’s prompting not circumstantial issues.
• Walk by faith not by sight!
• You don’t have to delay your vision as a result of the economy if it truly is  a God vision!

I don’t mean to trivialize any churches difficulties.  Some indeed have experienced a hard time.  Yet the facts are those churches are in the minority.  Do you really think that God will let His Bride perish?  Does not our Father own the cattle on a thousand hills?  If the end is nigh it is because Jesus might well return.  The trumpet for that resurrection is not held by any bank!  Until that trumpet blows our task is to be about His business.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Few if any Bible schools or seminaries teach students a thing about stewardship.  The results of this lack of education is that ministers are unprepared for the real world of finances and funding of their ministries.  So what minister must do is educate themselves.  Fortunately there are now resources to help you correct what your seminary did not teach you.  Two types of resources come to mind immediately.

Stewardship Books

I recommend that pastors read at least one stewardship related book a month.  Let me list out two books that I feel are a must for you as a pastor to read.  The first is George Barna’s “How To Increase Giving To Your Church.”  You can find it at  http://www.amazon.com/How-Increase-Giving-Your-Church/dp/0830719210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328109826&sr=8-1  While the book was published way back in 1997 it is still one of the classics and has a host of practical advice.

The second must read for pastors is “Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money.”  You can find it at http://www.amazon.com/Passing-Plate-American-Christians-Money/dp/0195337115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328110152&sr=1-1  While this book is more technical than Barna’s it none the less lays great ground work for your understanding of stewardship and how it is viewed by American Christians.  Published in 2008 it is to date the definitive book on stewardship in my opinion.

While I would highly recommend each of these two books as a must for your self taught stewardship program, listed below are several other books that I think you should look for as well as my own titles.

“Not Your Parents Offering Plate” by J. Clif Christopher http://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Parents-Offering-Plate/dp/068764853X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328110152&sr=1-2

“The Giving Myths” by Stephen B. McSwain http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Myths-Getting-Always-Wanted/dp/1573124958/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328110490&sr=1-1

“Go Big: Lead Your Church to Explosive Growth” by Bill Easum and Bil Cornelius http://www.amazon.com/Go-BIG-Church-Explosive-Growth/dp/068733442X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328110539&sr=1-2

“Church Giving Matters” by Ben Stroup http://www.amazon.com/Church-Giving-Matters-Really-Ministry/dp/1615070265/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328110616&sr=1-1

“Turbo Charge Your Giving: How To Raise Money in Any Economy” by Mark Brooks http://thecharisgroup.org/free-book/  You can also download the book on Kindle for $.99 by linking to the following http://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Charge-Your-Giving-ebook/dp/B00550PDXO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328110840&sr=1-1  In fact you can find several of my books on Kindle for only $.99.

Stewardship Blogs

The second easy area to find pertinent and timely stewardship help is through blogs like this one.  There are now scores of blogs out there on stewardship.  If I were you I would be reading a different blog a day to glean information about stewardship.  On my web browser I have a file listed Stewardship Blogs.  I regularly go through these sites looking for new data, new ideas and information to keep me sharp in the area of stewardship.

The point is that even though your seminary might not have trained you in stewardship that is no excuse.  The tools are out there to help you learn stewardship.  No pastor or church leader has any excuse of why they are stewardship ignorant.  Get the training your seminary neglected to teach you.  In the end it could mean the difference between making budget and failing to make budget.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

P.S.  You can find many of my works at our website here http://thecharisgroup.org/ebooks/

What does your giving data tell you?  Do you even look at reports on your giving?  If you do look at reports do you know what it tells you?  Do you build a plan of action from those reports.  What I find amazing is that many pastors have their finger on the pulse of just about everything in their church except their giving.  You might think that your giving patterns are unimportant but I can assure you this summer when you are behind on your budget you will feel differently.

If you are in a capital campaign how is that going?  I remember once working for a super mega church that did their own campaign.  The pledge total was exceptional.  However throughout the two and a half years of the campaign no one had ever analyzed how they were tracking.  With only a few months left they were far from reaching the goal.  The pastor was surprised to hear that our assessment was that they would miss the mark by about $5 million.  With only a few months left in their campaign there was not adequate time in which to reach the pledged amount.  Had the review taken place a year earlier the result would have been different.

While we do professionally reviewed financial analysis for churches at an affordable rate I realize that many of you want to go it on your own.  Here some basics for every pastor to concern himself with when it comes to analyzing giving data…

• First and foremost look at your giving!  I am amazed at how many pastors don’t have a clue of how last Sunday’s offering went.
• Spend at least fifteen to thirty minutes of every staff meeting going over the giving record.
• Compare your current giving to last years giving.  What trends do you see?
• Don’t just look for how much was given look at the number of giving units that gave that amount.  Are you increasing or decreasing the number of people who give to your church?
• What is the average gift per giving unit?  Is that amount greater or less than last year?
• Probe into which months and quarters are your strongest and which are your weakest.
• Compare all of the above to the last couple of years.  What does that tell you?  More importantly what plans should you put into place to correct or continue your trends?

The last point is the most crucial.  Looking at data simply to look at data is of no help.  What you do with the data review is key.  At the end of your analysis a plan of action must be put into place.  What is your plan?

Many years ago I was working with a church in the Southwest.  In the first meeting with them I went over the churches giving data with the pastor and a key layman.  After finishing the analysis the layman snorted that the report was just a spread sheet.  Yes, I replied but the key is knowing what to do with the data.  Reviewing your giving data is only part of the equation to stewardship success.  Implementing a plan of action based upon the data is the real key.  What does your giving data tell you about your strengths and weaknesses?  More importantly after reviewing your giving data what is your plan?

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

In light of these passages here are some practical facts to consider:

• Over 1 Billion people own a personal computer.
• 1.4 Billion use the internet.
• 5 Billion people have a mobile phone.
• 81% of smartphone users have used their phone to browse or look for products or services.
• 50% of smartphone users have used their phone to make purchases.
• Thousands of those people live within driving distance of your church.

So, if we are to take seriously the Scripture to go into the highways and byways and to become all things to all people should not we in the church be online?  What is your churches online presence?  Here is my recommendation for every church no matter how small or large.

Build an electronic data base.  In this day of instant communication there is no excuse for not having your members emails and telephone numbers at your finger tips.

Have a dynamic website.  You would be amazed at how many people search the internet looking for a church.  Is your website current and up to date.  I am shocked at how many church sites contain news that is months old.  I have been to some very large churches whose site is totally out dated.  There is no excuse for not having a website for your church.  Equally there is no excuse for your website to be out of date.

Establish  a Facebook page for your church.  Again the site should be dynamic and current.  Use it to post pictures of ministry happening.  In fact  I would have a different Facebook page for every major ministry of my church.

Use other Social media such as Twitter to establish your online presence.  While the popularity of different platforms comes and goes you should make sure that your presence is felt in the most popular ones.

Have an App that people can download to their smartphones.  This is the future.  We have partnered with two lay Christians who for a very reasonable price are providing this service to churches.  Go here to listen to a webinar on the subject.   www.grimmbrothersmedia.com/webinar.html

What is really cool about all of the above is how cheap they are to implement and maintain.  Don’t think your church can’t provide these important tools of communication for your members and those interested in your church.  And please don’t think that an online presence is irrelevant for you and your church.  Thinking like that will only keep you from the reality of the times we live in.  Thinking like that will keep your house from being filled.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

In the last few weeks we have been highlighting the importance of churches having an online presence now more than ever.  With the rise of smart phones it is imperative that the church being ready to reach the 5.2 billion mobile phone users in the world.  Those users are utilizing their mobile phones to find the best restaurant, do their banking, interact with their friends and a host of other things.  Why not give them the ability to interact with your church?

Why Should Your Church Consider Having a Mobile App?  Apart from the obvious that 5.2 billion people use mobile phones in the world there are many other reasons.  Having a mobile app…

• Shows you are current with the times.  People don’t go to a church because it’s hip or not but you would be surprised how many will avoid a church they feel is out of touch.
• Increases your presence for those looking for a church.  More and more people are searching the Web to find a church.
• Allows you to increase your ability to communicate with guests and members.  Imagine having your sermons watched world wide or simply by your members on vacation.
• Provides you with a platform to build for the future changes in communication and technology.  We have only touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of potential.
• Gives you an easy way for people to give to your church.  Experts are predicting that the bulk of spending will be electronic in the next five to ten years.

How would you use a mobile app?  The list above gives clues on how to utilize an app.  Here are some practical steps for use.

• Use the app to push information to members about key events and dates.  While push technology can become a nuisance used correctly it can be a huge aide to your members.
• Use the app to further your email data base.  One button registration can help you stay current with your members contact information.
• Provide directions to the church.  Your members can invite their friends and have them down load your app that provides directions on how to find you.
• Tell a friend feature allows your members to send your app information to those they are inviting to your church.
• List all your calendar dates, times and venues for all ministries.  This allows your members to easily track when and where they are to be.
• Podcast your sermons so that members can access them any time and any where.
• Push technology allows you to notify members of cancellations due to weather etc.
• Push technology can be used to inform members of ministry needs.  Suppose that you need additional nursery help immediately?  Push the plea for help to the list you have on file.
• Allow easy connection to your other online portals such as Facebook and your web page.
• Notify members of special prayer needs.  Suppose someone is critically injured and in surgery.  Send out a prayer appeal!
• Donations link.  Make it easy for your members to give whether they are there or not.
• Encourage members to give to special events and causes through your app.

Those are just a few of the ideas.  Frankly this list could go on and on.  You might have even better ideas than these.  In fact why not respond to this post by listing some ways you use your app?  As the old saying goes, “The future is now!”  Is your church ready for the future?

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

Have you ever run out of gas?  It never happens at a convenient time.  You never run out of gas next to a gas station.  It is always an inconvenience when we run out of gas.  There you sit with all that power under the hood but it’s useless without fuel.  A car that will virtually take you anywhere you want to go without gas in the engine is nothing more than a glorified paper weight.

Can you imagine what would happen if the church ran out of fuel?  I’m not talking about gasoline in the tank or food in our stomachs.  I am talking about the finances that fuel the ministries at your church.  Think of how many lives are touched through your church including your family!  We all love our church and we love the ministries of our church.  Yet without our members’ faithful and sacrificial donations we would quickly run out of fuel.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian about our calling as Christians.  He wrote in I Corinthians 9:24, 25 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”  Losing a NASCAR race is bad but losing out in the race of eternity is far worse.

What are some of the top mistakes that churches make when it comes to stewardship?

1. Failing to Ask.  It is not that churches talk too much about money we don’t talk about it enough!  Churches that make their budgets are not afraid to focus on money and giving.
2. Asking to fail.  When we ask we often do it in a manner that leads to failure rather than success.  Most “asks” are driven by guilt.  Effective “asks” are driven by vision.  Good vision trumps bad economy.  Give your donors a reason to give!
3. Lack of planning.  Churches have plans for everything why not a stewardship plan?  If you don’t have a plan you are planning on failure.
4. Continuing business as usual.  Times have changed and your approach to giving has to change as well.  Cash and checkbooks are disappearing.  How people give is quickly changing.  Go mobile or go home!
5. Lack of pastoral involvement.  The buck stops with you!  Churches that are financially successful are the churches that the pastor is involved in the process.

How is your churches fuel tank?  If a NASCAR racer runs out of fuel he loses out on the trophy and a large check.  However life goes on.  For the church the results are far more devastating.  We are in an eternal race.  We are battling the principalities of this world for Christ’s Kingdom.  We dare not fail.  Our trophies are not made of metal but are the destiny of the souls of men, women, boys and girls.  We must keep our tanks full.

Mark Brooks

Founder and President

The Charis Group

PS.  Free Giving App Webinar Thursday January 26th at 3 PM EST.  To register go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/616662598