Don’s Story: I’m Glad My Church Needs Money!
Filed under Church Fundraising, Generosity, Life Lessons, Stewardship
Sparking a Generosity Revolution
After guiding hundreds of fundraising programs in churches, I see that, nearly without exception, God will find someone to provide the “spark” that ignites a campaign’s success. I should have realized it from a simple reading of Acts 4. God used Barnabas’ sacrificial gift to ignite a contagion of giving in the impoverished early church. The phenomenal result of that early church’s generosity was that “there was not a needy person among them.” (Act 4:34). Barnabas was the spark that ignited the flame of generosity in the hearts of others.
A wealthy gentleman in Atlanta offered a gift of $2.4 million to his church’s capital funds initiative. Someone said, “How good it must feel to be able to give that much,” to which the contributor wisely replied, “I’m not the biggest giver. There are many here who are giving much more than I.” Of course, he was referring to those many families of much lesser means whose generosity would affect their lives more significantly than his large gift would affect his. That comment was rumored throughout the congregation and God used it to teach that giving is not about wealth but willingness; not about the size of the gift but the heart of the giver. It was the spark that opened the minds and hearts of the people and started a giving revolution in the church.
The four-year old daughter of a young couple in Richmond, VA was fighting what would be a losing battle with leukemia. The young couple commented to friends that they realized they would never be free of the hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical debt they had incurred to prolong their child’s life. The young couple, spiritually mature far beyond their years, said, “We continue to give to our church because our personal experience has taught us that our church, too, is trying to save lives.” God used this struggling young couple to help the congregation understand that giving and living are inseparably linked. Christian giving is essential to redeem, heal, restore, and save.
Through the years, I have seen the principle repeated over and over. God ignites, moves, and transforms an intransigent congregation into a mighty force of generosity with the real life demonstration of inspired sacrifice. I mentioned this principle to a friend who is an engineer with the aerospace industry. He paused thoughtfully for a moment and then said, “Don, that just what happens to get our rockets into space.” I was totally lost and said something intelligent like “Huh?” He explained, “A rocket is loaded with tons of highly combustible fuel but it just sits there on its launching pad. It will sit there motionless until one thing finally happens.” “What’s that?” I asked. He explained, “There is a small sparkplug deeply embedded in the heart of the system and all the power and potential of the rocket waits motionless until that sparkplug fires. It is that small spark that unleashes the power that thrusts the rocket into space.”
All the pent up power and potential of a church’s resources so often remain motionless until someone responds to God’s mysterious touch and becomes the spark that ignites another great act of God. Sometimes that spark comes from a highly visible leader or from a highly resourced person but, more often from an unnamed, unknown someone who recognizes the Spirit’s prompt, trusts the Lord who owns all, and responds with a simple act of trust.
Filed under Church Fundraising, Fundraising Tips, Generosity, Leadership, Life Lessons, Stewardship
Increase Congregational Giving Overnight! (well, nearly)
There is much talk today about changing a church’s culture of generosity. A church’s culture is built up over years, embedded with heritage and history, and is not easily or quickly changed. Identification, diagnosis, strategy, and focused implementation are essential stages required to effect real cultural change in any organization. However, I know from years of experience and observation that a church’s giving can be quickly and dramatically upgraded with no more than three very simple and easily implemented steps of action. These first steps can be foundational for the long-term process that can lead you and your church to be as generous as you want to be.
1. TALK ABOUT GIVING
Some congregations only hear about giving/stewardship/generosity on a one-Sunday a year emphasis or when the budget if being presented. This is a serious mistake on several levels. Most significantly, it categorizes giving and excludes it from every day life. This violates the teaching ministry of Jesus and the content of the New Testament. Jesus talked more about money than he did about heaven, hell, and prayer combined. A full one-third of his parables deal with wealth-related issues.
Sensitive, caring, and intentional discussions about financial stewardship must become a consistent and normative part of the congregational conversation. Failure to do so will be to:
- Obviate a major portion of God’s Word.
- Deprive the people of the opportunity for true spiritual growth and transformation. Jesus asked, “If you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you?” (Luke 16:11)
- Weaken the ministry. A ministry that matters must be adequately funded. The more the ministry, the more the funding required.
The churches that are hurting most in today’s unusual economy are those who have, sometimes for very noble reasons, failed to talk about giving.
2. FOLLOW THE MONEY
As families need to know where their money comes from and where it goes, so does the church. Church leaders must have awareness of their source(s) of revenue. “What demographics define our revenue?” “Who is supporting the ministry?” ”Who isn’t and why not?” But beyond the leadership, the church at large must know where the money is going.
Many contributors have little idea where their money goes once they donate through the offering plate or online giving. It goes from their account to the church’s account and disappears as if into a black hole. That can be fixed easily and quickly with two simple steps.
First, “show and tell” them where their dollar is going. Give them more than a pie chart; give them a name and face. Instead of saying “We gave $10,000 to missions in India,” introduce them to the family whose life was changed. Give them names, and faces, and personal stories. They don’t have to be “tear-jerkers.” They just have to be authentic.
If the money goes to the children’s ministry then let the children demonstrate their ministry and make the appeal. Whether the money is needed to fix the bus or pay the electricity bill, it must be linked to people. If you can’t put a human face on it, then you might need to reconsider your cause.
The second quick fix to eliminate that black hole of the disappearing dollar is to acknowledge and appreciate every gift. Find creative ways to express the church’s appreciation for the support it receives. Mail letters, send emails, tweet messages, use the website and the worship offering time to show the direct linkage between people’s contributions and the church’s ministry. Demonstrate what their dollar does.
Send an acknowledgement letter to a first-time giver. Hey, they have just taken a first step in a vital Christian discipline. Encourage them. Tell them they are on the right track. How about a cute thank-you card to a student or child who gives? How encouraging would that be for a child just learning to be generous? (Heaven knows they are getting plenty of messages encouraging them to be selfish, greedy, and covetous.)
Show and tell people where their money is going, who and how it is helping, and thank them for making a difference in the world.
3. DEMONSTRATE GENEROSITY
Giving, like most disciplines, is best learned by example. The disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And Jesus prayed.
Nothing teaches better or most quickly than a true-life example. I learned it many years ago. Without going into the complicated details, I once found myself in a situation where I truly needed to announce publicly what I was giving to a special church offering. This wasn’t for the purpose of boastfulness for I was only giving $25 although, at that time, that was significant me. It was just an awkward occasion and my only recourse was to announce that I was giving a $25 check to the cause. No big deal. That Sunday afternoon I asked our church treasurer how much the congregation had contributed to the cause. He mentioned that it was a good offering but then added, “There is something unusual about the offering.” When I asked what he meant, he explained, “We got an unusually large number of $25 checks.”
People want guidance in their giving and the best way to do that is with personal examples. Not only do people need to see the personal examples of their peers learning to give, they must also have the corporate example of a generous church. Is your church generous? Do you give to those from whom you will never see a return? (Luke 6:34) Has your church ever promoted a one-time cash offering that would be given away to an important need for which it would receive no headlines, no credit, and no anticipated return?
Jesus was generous with himself every day. He gave away good every day of his ministry. When the stricken woman touched the hem of his garment he felt the good go out of him. (Mark 5:30) Is our generosity that touchable? Are we that available to those next to us? Who are those straining to touch the hem of your garment? Or, your church’s garment? Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Filed under Church Fundraising, Fundraising Tips, Generosity, Leadership, Stewardship
I’m Glad My Church Needs Money!
“I wish we didn’t talk so much about money,” is a comment I have often heard while working with churches to raise funds for their important purposes. I understand the sentiment but hold an opposing viewpoint. In fact, I hope my church always needs money. Here is why.
My son, Lance, was born before it became acceptable for the father to be present in the delivery room. (A fact for which I have always been grateful!) I waited in the hallway just outside the delivery room. At precisely 4:13 p.m., I heard the unmistakable cry of a newborn baby, Lance’s first sound. The nurse emerged with a smile and said, “You have a baby boy.” Only a new father can know the wonder of those words!
The wonderful glow of fatherhood was soon dimmed, however, when I was asked to visit the business office of the hospital. They wanted me to pay for Lance! In fact, it seemed to me that my child might be held hostage until the hospital bill was settled.
I wrote the check paying all the expenses in full, freed my family, and we made our escape. That check turned out to be only the first of hundreds, maybe thousands, I would write on Lance’s behalf. Children are expensive. There was formula and food to buy. Doctor visits and vaccinations assaulted my banking account. Diapers and toys took their toll. And clothes were a constant drain. Just when he would get a good wardrobe, he would grow a smidgen and we would have to start all over.
As Lance’s age and size increased so did the expenses. Soon it was baseball gloves, Nike shoes and uniforms. Then he needed glasses for his eyes and braces for his teeth. And then, disaster struck. Lance became a teenager! Now it was cars, electronic gadgets, and cool clothes.
Then came college. Lance had always, and only, wanted to be an architect. To me it seemed he would be in school until he was forty‑two years old. Expenses soared! Tuition, books, and drawing tools led the long list of essential expenditures.
But, of course, just like loving fathers everywhere, I was happy to be able to help him and I did all I could to support his growth and his dreams. I never thought of these expenses as “sacrifice.” I was his Daddy and was prepared to give everything possible toward his life and dreams.
And then, one day, Lance died.
On a bright, beautiful, and horrible Halloween Day, twenty-one-year-old Lance was buried in his church’s little country cemetery. That afternoon I walked away from his grave and since that day I have never spent another nickel on Lance.
That is how I learned it. Death is cheap. Death can be sustained without expense. It is living that is costly. It is growth that is expensive. Our dreams, visions, and hopes require resources. Death doesn’t! And that is why I am glad my church needs money. A living, growing, thriving church will always require the continual, consistent, and conscientious financial support of its members. And that’s the church I want to belong to.
Comments Off
Filed under Church Fundraising, Generosity, Leadership, Life Lessons, Stewardship
The Miracle of the Muscle Shows How to Increase Giving
I’ve been recovering from tendon surgery in my arm. Surgery and immobilization allowed the bicep muscle to atrophy. The muscle became so flabby it quivered like jello. Ugh. Then came the therapy. Once the flexibility was restored I began working on rebuilding the muscle. I created resistance to the muscle by lifting a very light weight. Once I could comfortably lift the lightest weight I began using a slightly heavier weight. As I gradually increased the amount of weight I witnessed the miracle of the muscle.
An exercised muscle becomes weary and weak. When the fatigued muscle is rested its energy is renewed but something else happens. The muscle grows a bit stronger than it was before the exercise. Thus, if you want a muscle to grow larger you do it by repeatedly wearing it down, resting it, letting it rebuild, and then repeating the process. If you can lift 100 pounds but want to lift 200, you start at your ability and incrementally add weight until you have achieved your goal. It is the miracle of the muscle.
This miracle of the muscle works in the spiritual realm too. The Apostle Paul complimented the Christians at Corinth for their effective ministries. He told them that they excelled in many areas of Christian service but then he encouraged them to grow in their giving (2 Cor. 8:7). Their generosity was atrophied. They were neglecting their opportunities for the financial support of Christian ministry. Paul encouraged them to grow in their generosity in order to become more complete as followers of Christ.
How does one grow in the area of giving? Mimic the miracle of the muscle. Begin giving at a level at which you are comfortable but don’t plan to stay there. Add more weight. Find ways to incrementally increase your giving and build your generosity. There is a miracle to be experienced. As you give more, your joy in giving increases as well as your desire to give more. The miracle of spiritual growth is at work.
Paul used an example to show the Corinthians how to do it. He said, “Let me tell you about the Christians in Macedonia. In their extremely dire circumstances and deep poverty, they gave even beyond their ability.” (2 Cor. 8:2-3) How does one give beyond ability? I have seen it happen hundreds of times. Individuals and families have grown from giving nothing, to giving something, to giving more, to giving more than they ever imagined possible. They started the journey toward generosity and they experienced the miracle of the muscle. Can’t explain it. Just happens. That’s why it’s a miracle.
Filed under Generosity, Stewardship
“Lifestyle Stewardship”
“Lifestyle Stewardship” is a term I have used for years to describe a level of giving that affects one’s living. Always with us is the temptation to give in such a way that it makes little impact on how we live. The challenge of Lifestyle Stewardship is to find ways to do just that–let our giving touch our living!
A successful Christian businessman commented, “My accountant tells me I have given all I can to the church this year.” What he was saying, of course, was that additional gifts to the church would be too costly because there would be little or no tax benefit. A close acquaintance of the businessman, humorously pointed out, “Come on, you’ve given the government’s money, now give some of your own!”
A wealthy Christian woman responded to her church’s request for financial help with the statement, “Here is my gift. This won’t hurt me much!” Her words indicated that she had sought, and found, a way to give that would make little difference in her life.
King David declared, “I will not offer to God that which costs me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24) David understood that the value of the gift presented to God is determined by its value to the giver. The greater the gift’s personal value to the giver, the greater its worth before the Heavenly Father. The gift that would touch the heart of God must first touch the life of the giver!
This is the Spirit of Lifestyle Stewardship. “If it is for my God, my gift must have meaning and value to me.” Jesus said, “Many that were rich cast in much, but they did cast in out of their abundance.” There it is! Their gifts had a lessened value because they would never miss them. It is not our gifts Jesus is focused on, is it? It is our lives, our hearts, our values, and priorities.
Lifestyle Giving is a level of giving that affects me: my plans, my activities, my attitude and my approach to life. Lifestyle Stewardship requires a measure of self-denial. It means denying myself in one area so that I can give more of myself in another. If I am to give more to God, I must take more from myself. The difficulty for me lies, not in saying “yes” to God, but in saying “no” to myself. It is not the giving that discomforts me; it is the giving up!
Filed under Church Fundraising, Generosity, Stewardship
How To Take Your Fundraising Effort To The Moon
One of the several reasons that the USA beat the Soviet Union to the moon was the American decision to use multi-stage rockets. To reach the moon using only one rocket would require too large an engine, too much fuel, and too much weight. American scientist determined that the most efficient and effective approach would be to use a three-stage rocket. The first stage would use five engines for lift off and, upon reaching the desired altitude, the first stage equipment would fall away. The second stage rocket, now lightened, would thrust the payload even higher into space. Finally, the second stage would burn out, fall away, and the third stage would take the astronauts to the moon.
Successful fundraising efforts typically employ a similar three-stage rocket. The first stage consists of the organization’s leadership. For a church, that would be pastors, staff, and campaign leaders. For other organizations, it would be officers and board members. These are the people who must “ignite” first. They must overcome inertia, generate momentum, and get the campaign off the ground.
The second stage is typically about 20%-30% of the organization’s membership. These are people who have demonstrated their commitment and loyalty to the organization with their past performance and support. These are willing participants who will become involved in the campaign organizational structure and will contribute financially to achieve the campaign goal.
The third stage of the rocket represents the remainder of the organization’s constituency. Many in this third stage will be eager to participate. Some will need to be won over to the campaign with the campaign message and meaning. And, of course, there will always be some who will choose not to participate.
Ideally, this is how it works. Stage one, the campaign leaders, get the campaign off the ground and take it as high as they can with their own effort and financial commitments. Then, the second stage leaders “ignite” and they add to the altitude achieved by stage one. The stage two leaders take the campaign to the highest level of which they are capable.
Now, it is time for the people, stage three, to participate. The leaders have put the people in a position where they can achieve success. This is what leadership is all about, putting people in a position where they can succeed. The altitude that has already been attained is a great encouragement to the people. They can see the goal that had seemed so far away is now in sight. Even those who were doubtful in the beginning now know that the goal is achievable. They can win. With their participation they can take their campaign over the top. Or, better yet, they can take your campaign to the moon!
Comments Off
Filed under Church Fundraising, Fundraising Tips, Leadership, Stewardship
“What Is Everyone Else Giving?”
Several years ago I received a phone call from my home office telling me that funds were being collected for some small but immediate need. All consultants in the field were being asked to indicate the amount of their contributions. When asked what my contribution would be, the immediate question that jumped from my mouth was “What is everyone else giving?”
Now, why would I ask that? I was not being nosey just wanting to know what everyone else was giving. I was not feeling pressured by what others were giving. So, why would I ask? I just wanted to make sure that I was “in the game.” I wanted to do my fair share. If everyone else was giving $5, then put me down for $5. If everyone else was giving $10, then put me down for $10. If everyone else was giving $20, well then, put me down for $5. (LOL)
“What is everyone else giving?” is a question that many people want to ask although few do. They are not being nosey and they are not feeling pressured by the contributions of others. They are asking the question with a high motive. They want to do their part and they are looking for guidance.
A basic principle of fundraising is that people give in relation to what others give. Most people do not feel they have to make the largest contribution but neither do they want to make the smallest. They want to know if they are playing in a high school stadium, a college stadium, or in the big league. Most people want to do their best and they want to give toward what is expected of them.
It is the responsibility of leaders to provide clues to the contributors. Don’t leave willing contributors in the dark. Let them know what is needed for a successful result. Then, trust people to do their best. There are sensitive, caring, and thoughtful ways to provide giving guidance to willing contributors without telling them what to give. No one wants to be manipulated into giving a certain amount but nearly everyone welcomes guidance toward being a generous giver.
Comments Off
Filed under Church Fundraising, Fundraising Tips, Generosity, Leadership, Stewardship
Remember Your First Job?
Do you remember your first job? Like most people, you probably remember your first job vividly. First jobs are usually menial in nature and meager in pay, yet we remember them fondly and the recollection usually brings a smile to our faces. My first “real” job was washing cars, new and old, at a car dealership. Part of my responsibility was starting each used car every morning to ensure it would start if a customer tried to crank it up. This was a great job for a teenage boy and at $40 a week I couldn’t imagine how I would ever be able to spend all the money!
The first job has a special significance. It is a rite of passage toward adulthood. It affirms our worth and signals our ability to make a contribution to society. It is an important step in finding our place and purpose in the world.
Have you ever thought about the first job given to humanity by the Creator? What was the first job God gave us? It was stewardship. God put Adam in the Garden of Eden and said, “Take care of it.” Plain and simple, “Take care of it.” Within that uncluttered command, however, there are overwhelming implications.
Interesting isn’t it, that we were stewards before we were sinners? Our responsibility as stewards is not part of the fallen condition of humankind. It is neither part of the fall nor a portion of the curse. Stewardship was, and is, part of a pure and undefiled relationship we have with our Creator. It is one of the few things we can trace back to the garden and reclaim as part of our original condition. Therefore, stewardship cannot be viewed as the way the church pays its bills or supports its work. Stewardship is much bigger and broader. We do a serious disservice to contemporary stewards when we present stewardship as little more than a way to meet the church’s budget or build the next worship center. Stewardship is part and parcel of our primary and pure relationship with God. If we, as stewards of this 21st century, are ever to fulfill our first job, we must reconsider the primacy and purity of the role of the steward. We must recapture the significance of this initial relationship with God. We must enthusiastically reclaim the celebration of working with God during our days here in our earthly garden. Then, and probably not until then, will we be able to experience the true joy of generosity.
Comments Off
Filed under Generosity, Life Lessons, Stewardship
What a Baboon Taught Me about Greed
A television documentary on animal life in Africa was demonstrating how the natives of Africa have learned to find water during the dry season. A native first located a colony of baboons. Certain that the baboons were watching, the African dug a small hole in a dirt embankment. He then placed a handful of fruit inside. Baboons, it seems, are incurably curious, so as soon as the native returned into the jungle, one baboon quickly approached the hole. Seeing the fruit inside, the baboon stuck his hand into the hole and grasped the tasty morsel. The African hunter had skillfully carved the hole just large enough to allow the animal’s hand to enter but, when clasped around the fruit, the hand could not be withdrawn.
The native then returned from the concealment of the forest with a small rope in his hands. Amazingly, as the man approached, the baboon shrieked in terror but refused to release the fruit and run for its life. I found myself moving to the edge of my chair as this drama unfolded. I expected the animal to bolt and run for its life but, incredulously, the native casually strolled up to the panic-stricken animal, laid the noose over the animal’s neck, and pulled him away.
The animal was then tied to a tree, given salt, and held captive for a couple of days without water. As soon as it was released, the baboon made a beeline for its secret waterhole. The native simply followed the thirst-driven animal and found the water he would never have found without the animal’s unwitting assistance.
As I watched this drama unfold, I was impressed with the hunter’s wisdom, humored by the comical simplicity of it, but mortified to find myself in the story. I thought, “This is not a story about a baboon and water; this is a story about me and some of the foolish choices I have made through the years.” This is about short-term reward versus long-term consequences. This is about gratification and greed. Understandable behavior, I suppose, for a baboon but not for me.
Enslaved for a fist full of fruit! Selfish attitudes and actions come with a high price tag. The morale of the story is an obvious one; live life with an open hand and not a clenched fist.
Comments Off
Filed under Generosity, Life Lessons, Stewardship
