Do you have a plan to increase giving?
Here is a fact for you to consider going into these last days of the year, spending is up but giving is down. I read two publications regularly that helped me come to this revelation. First, The Wall Street Journal is my go to source for economic awareness. Recently article after article have pointed out that consumers are spending more which has retailers smiling this holiday season. The second publication I read regularly is empty tomb inc.’s yearly giving report that was released last month entitled, “The State of Church Giving Through 2012.” They reveal that Americans giving to the Church is now down to 2.21% as a percent of their incomes. This coincides with Giving USA’s projections of a 1% decline in giving to religion this year and a further projection of decline next year.
So Americans are spending more on Christmas this year but they are giving less to the Church. You have competition for your donor’s dollars and I have to tell you the competition is winning!
Already my inbox is getting daily messages from various retailers tipping me off to pre-Black Friday deals. The push is on to gain as much dollars from the American people as possible. Retailers and marketers have spent millions upon millions of dollars crafting their message and researching the best placement of that message. We would be terrified to know how much they know about your viewing and spending habits. Each message that hits your inbox has been crafted and sent based upon your patterns.
Here is what you need to know, their message is trumping your message to give!
My question is, what are you going to do about it? 90% of the pastors and churches in America are doing NOTHING! They are just doing what they have always done, nothing, and hoping for better results next Sunday. As Dr. Phil asks, “How’s that working for you?” If you want to fight the decline in giving then you need a plan of action!
Barriers Pastors Face When It Comes to Creating a Giving Plan
I was a Senior Pastor for 20 years. I know the barriers pastors face when it comes to developing a giving plan. Here are the top ones…
1. Lack of awareness – Tragically most pastor really have no clue about their giving trends. I can help you be aware!
2. Lack of knowing what to do – Seminaries and colleges don’t prepare pastors for how to increase giving. I have 16 plus years of raising funds! Use my knowledge!
3. Lack of time – The Tyranny of the Urgent keeps most pastors from creatively thinking about giving or even having time to spend on giving plans. I have done all the work for you!
4. Lack of money – Hiring someone to raise money seems impossible when giving is declining. So most assume they cannot afford help. Anyone can afford my plan!
How is The Stewardship Coach different from others like Giving Rocket? Giving Rocket has been a great asset to many churches. If you use it and are happy then stay with them. We however have some basic differences.
First with The Stewardship Coach you get personalized interaction with me. I answer emails and phone calls from our monthly members. I review their letters and emails so they are the most effective they can be. Every week my members get to listen live to me teach on a stewardship topic and then they get to ask any questions they want. It is the class on giving that your seminary should have held for you!
Secondly, you get all my manuals for free. I just published, “The 2 Minute Drill: A Winning Plan of Action for End of Year Giving.” That manual sold for $79.95. Members of The Stewardship Coach got it for free. They also got my manual for increasing summer giving, Easter offering giving and other works free!
Thirdly, you get my stuff email to your inbox every Monday. “The Stewardship Coach,“ comes out every Monday with key articles teaching you how to increase giving. I give you sample letters, emails and sermons. The big thing is every week I write a timely offering talk for your next Sunday. So you don’t have to hunt and search for stuff I send it directly to you.
Finally, our rates are better than The Giving Rocket. Our monthly fee is $59.95.
In the end just get the help you need whether from Giving Rocket or me The Stewardship Coach. Giving is going down. What is your plan to negate that? Get a plan from someone!
To check out my plan go to https://thestewardshipcoach.org/join-now/ Let’s get started reversing your decline in giving!
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach