Offering plateI want to respond to a recent article on giving by sharing 4 more reasons why your church’s offering may be struggling.  Any article on giving catches my attention.  So when Tom Rainer wrote a blog post entitled, “Six Reasons Why Your Church’s Offerings May Be Struggling,” I had to reply with some reasons I find.  By the way Rainer’s post is a great one and can be found at  http://thomrainer.com/2016/03/six-reasons-why-your-churchs-offerings-may-be-struggling/#comment-520956

4 More Reasons Why Your Church’s Offerings May Be Struggling

1.  Most churches give little to no thought or preparation to the offering.  The offering is the most boring part of our worship services.  We spend hours each week on every element of the service and spend minutes if that on planning an effective offering.  As such we get what we put effort into.  I write offering talks for churches every week.  Try mine for 14 days for $1 at…

https://thestewardshipcoach.org/2015/06/15/giving-365-introductory-special-14-days-for-1-00/

2.  Most churches never make the connection of why giving is important and what giving does.  We call it connecting the dots.  You have to connect the dots to show how a dollar given to your church impacts the world for good.  How does giving to your budget advance the Kingdom?  What is the vision of your church that will motivate people to WANT to give to your offering?  Compelling vision is what drives dollars.  Make a compelling case for your offering each week and people will give.  By the way, to do that see point #1.

3.  Churches need to provide multiple options by which people can give especially digital platforms!  We live in a cashless and checkless society.  Yet week after week we pass a plate or bucket by people asking them to give when they don’t have the means to respond that way.  To grow your giving you must have a robust online platform that gives donors multiple options.  Mobile device commerce is exploding today and your church needs to have all the online tools to take advantage of that.  Check out our online company, Charis Giving Solutions at…

http://charisgivingsolutions.com/

4.  Churches need to change their own view of the offering.  It is not that the Church asks for money that drives people away.  It is how we typically ask for money that turns people off.  Churches need to stop apologizing for asking people to give money to help them change the world!  A few years back I wrote an article entitled, “All the Red Cross Ever Talks About is Money.”  http://pastors.com/all-the-red-cross-ever-talks-about-is-money/  Charities never apologize for asking for money.  They tell you what the crisis is, share a need and ask you to give.  The Church needs to do the same!

“Just when we get going in worship we have to stop and take up the offering!”  That comment was made by a staff person at a church that had engaged me to help reverse a decline in their giving.  It illustrates the attitude that permeates many church leaders.  We must change our own thinking BEFORE we can change the thinking of our members.

The offering IS worship!  Let’s start planning out compelling worshipful offerings and I believe giving will increase!

Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach

I have a weekly plan that does all the work for you in terms of setting up your offering.  My plan is the best on the web AND costs less than any other.  Check it out for $1 for 14 days here at https://thestewardshipcoach.org/2015/06/15/giving-365-introductory-special-14-days-for-1-00/