Summer Giving Slump? 5 Things You SHOULD Do!
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, June 14, 2005
- Viewed 40
- (12) comments so far
DO send out summer giving statement s with helpful $ information: More and more churches are sending out seasonal or quarterly giving statements, financial newsletters, giving charts, and "catch up" envelopes that will help people be MORE FAITHFUL in their giving to the Lord's work.
DO make plans for a special generosity teaching initiative in the fall: In the summer, many churches develop plans for an ALL-CHURCH fall generosity teaching initiative or campaign. One helpful tool churches are using is the "A 40-Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life" booklet. Other ideas can be found at: www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org, www.generousgiving.org or www.stewardshipresources.org
DO have a weekly generosity verse: When someone prays for the offering, have them first read a generosity verse that is up on the screen or shown in their bulletin and then pray according to what the verse teaches about faithful giving to the Lord.
DO consider offering on-line and/or electronic giving options: Because we live in a very mobile and active society (and with more and more people managing all of their finances electronically) many churches are starting to give people the OPTION of giving electronically. This is especially helpful option if you have quite a few people that head out of town for weekend recreation activities. CLICK HERE to read a helpful article with more information, resource providers, and links to churches using these options.
DO use generosity tracts: One excellent way to encourage people in their giving is to give out, mail out, or put out (in the lobby) generosity tracts or flyers that will inspire and instruct people how to be more joyful and generous in their giving to the Lord's work.
FOR DISCUSSION: I think often times churches feel that 'desperate times call for desperate actions" and try to handle things themselves rather than relying on God. How has your church handled times of short cash-flow?
You can read many more great resources on church giving at the Maximum Generosity website.
Many churches suffer from a temporary decline in giving over the summer months. For smaller churches, especially, this can make things really tight. Today, Brian Kluth from Maximum Generosity suggests five things that you SHOULD consider doing if you are experiencing a summer slump in giving…
Comments
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Ricky on Tue, June 14, 2005
Mind games and manipulation!
I can’t believe that you would reference those websites, Todd, with all of their “$” symbols strewn throughout.
Where is the leading of the Holy Spirit in the equation? Where is the trust in the Lord?
I’ll tell you. It’s absent because of the reliance on the bottom line! And we scratch our heads over why attendance in the institutionalized church is falling.
Why not start an “I AMway” program? It’s the same things as those shyster websites are offering!
God, forgive us!
Todd Rhoades on Tue, June 14, 2005
OK Ricky… (I spoke too soon… I said we agreed on the last post on another topic!) http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Again, I want to make the rules very clear here… everyone has every right to disagree openly here at this blog; but please do so in a respectful, non-condescending manner.
Not everything has to do with the evils of the institutionalized church. ‘Bottom-line’ in many churches means that the bills are paid at the end of the month. And that’s an important thing.
About the websites in question. I would assume the $ signs strewn all about are because they are sites that deal with financial stewardship.
Not every institutionalized church laughs all the way to the bank every Sunday. Many barely get by. So for those churches and leaders, I hope some of Brian’s applications and suggestions are helpful.
There is a way to disagree here that is acceptable and a way that is not. For example:
Acceptable: Todd, I disagree with the emphasis that this post and author take on financial generosity. The church as a whole is too focused on money… ... ...
Unacceptable: Mind games and manipulation! God, forgive us!
I hope most everyone here can see the difference.
Further posts that I feel don’t fit the guidelines will be promptly deleted.
Todd
bernie dehler on Tue, June 14, 2005
From my knowledge and research, the best way to get funding is to have clear goals, and get funding from partners who see the value of the goals. What is your church trying to do? If it’s feeding the poor, it could probably have more success than if it wants to build a “Crystal Cathedral” or other some such beautiful multi-million dollar facility.
Remember, store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, because everything on earth (yes, the beautiful churches, too) are all gonna burn.
2 Peter 3:
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
...Bernie
http://freegoodnews.blogspot.com/
Rick on Wed, June 15, 2005
I thought my post was ok. What’s up Todd?
Todd Rhoades on Wed, June 15, 2005
I was addressing Ricky, not you Rick.
Todd
Rick on Wed, June 15, 2005
I was addressing the missing post for this thread…mine and others.
didn’t know why they aren’t here anymore…thought they might have fallen under the sharp edge of your delete button axe http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd Rhoades on Wed, June 15, 2005
Nope, haven’t deleted anything on this thread yet. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Maybe you’re thinking of the post about the things you should NOT do…?
http://www.mmiblog.com/monday_morning_insight_we/2005/06/summer_giving_s.html
(Haven’t deleted anything there either. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Rick on Wed, June 15, 2005
you’re exactly right Todd…silly me…there both about giving right http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/raspberry.gif
thanks for the heads-up.
Ricky on Wed, June 15, 2005
Todd:
“‘Bottom-line’ in many churches means that the bills are paid at the end of the month. And that’s an important thing.”
Not at the expense of misrepresenting the Scriptures regarding giving.
I personally know a pastor whose air conditioner went out at his home (i.e., parsonage). I know this first hand because I was there when it happened.
He jokingly said that he was going to preach on tithing the following Sunday because he hadn’t done so in a while and the extra expense of the repair would be a good occasion to do so. He did, never mentioning his air conditioner being broken but rather how “God was going to bless their giving.”
This is appalling but very similar to what the shysters on the sites that you’re promoting do to unsuspecting congregants. I can almost see the winking of the eyes going on between the shysters and the so-called “leaders” of fellowships who BUY into their schemes and purchase their products.
It’s nothing more than a multi-level marketing scheme that has been clothed in spirituality. Instead of studying what the Scriptures say, in toto, concerning giving, they pick and choose one or two Scriptures and build their worldly doctrine of stealing upon the backs of the congregants.
Is this truly representing what the Scriptures teach about giving, Todd? I don’t think so.
One more thing, the more a fellowship focuses on the “bottom line,” the less they focus on people. In fact, they begin to see people as dollar signs ($) instead of the eternal souls that they are.
One more thing. I don’t believe that I’m bing disrespectful to you or your rules, Todd, and how about being big enough to take the hits on the articles that YOU choose to post on your site? My words are not meant to be directed toward you in general but against the spirit of the articles.
Finally, I challenge you and the shysters on the sites to find ONE scripture where Jesus or any of the apostles brow-beat anyone into giving. Just ONE.
Todd Rhoades on Wed, June 15, 2005
Ricky…
Not every pastor is responsible in his teaching on stewardship; and the pastor you describe was being unethical in my mind. Maybe unethical isn’t the right word… I think manipulative is more like it. But I have to believe that most pastors aren’t like that. You seem to lump everyone into the same boat because of your experience.
You’ll have to be more specific about the “multi-level marketing scheme” that uses the “worldly doctrine of stealing upon the backs of the congregants”
You said, “I can almost see the winking of the eyes going on between the shysters and the so-called “leaders” of fellowships who BUY into their schemes and purchase their products.” That sounds like a conspiracy to rip-off God’s people. That WOULD be a big deal. I’m not saying that never happens; but I think most pastors and churches are seeking to be wise with their stewardship, not to rip people off. You may disagree.
“the more a fellowship focuses on the “bottom line,” the less they focus on people.” Absolutely… I do agree here. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif I’ve served in ministries that have plenty of financial resources; and some that couldn’t pay their bills. When their is a financial crisis, it can bring a stop to ministry in a quick hurry because all anyone does is worry about finances.
And finally, “I don’t believe that I’m being disrespectful to you or your rules, Todd, and how about being big enough to take the hits on the articles that YOU choose to post on your site? My words are not meant to be directed toward you in general but against the spirit of the articles.”
Problem is, I did believe your tone was the issue, not your disagreement; and I’m the one that makes the choice here unfortunately. You know that everything I throw out here on this blog isn’t necessarily endorsed. I haven’t looked in depth at all the websites that are listed and linked to; and I didn’t write the piece, so there has to be some lattitude given there all around. I think I expressed in my previous post why I took exception to your post… not because you disagreed with me or an article, but the words and tone with which you did so. I’m sticking with that assessment. Hopefully you know Ricky, I’m a stand-up guy… I’ve taken plenty of hits; and I can take them. But I won’t allow anyone else to get a black-eye. It’s just not necessary.
Todd
Shane Montgomery on Fri, June 17, 2005
The best thing I have ever lead a congregation in regarding finances is Finacial Peace University by Dave Ramsey.
http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/
going to lunch and will post more soon - awesome story
Shane Montgomery on Fri, June 17, 2005
OK -MMMMM… Mexican food…
OK, FPU is a 13-week video series designed to teach families to get out of debt and stay out of debt with a video presentation by Davie Ramsey followed by a small group discussion for accountability and discipleship. Topics covering Cash Flow Planning, Dumping Debt, Saving, Giving and much more are included.
FPU is focused on personal financial reformation instead of generating more money for the organization. Amazingly, the behavior change that comes from the thirteen week course often brings increased giving as a bi-product of the class.
At Fellowship in Little Rock we began our first class (I had taken it elsewhere one semester and facilitated a second) we did two print announcements and ended up with over 95 family units/190 people in our first class. In the past, the church had provided Crown and a few specialized seminars but yielded little or no interest. Attendance alone exceeded our expectations.
Individually, most families pay off an average of $5,000 in consumer debt and put back $2,000 in savings or retirement. If that holds true we will see close to half a million dollars for our class in retired consumer debt.
BTW – As a church utilizing video venues, the format used by FPU is especially successful for us at Fellowship because our people are used to seeing teaching via iMeg technology (we use one of the venue room for FPU and leave it set from Sunday morning)
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