Are you your own worst enemy and giving is declining?
Are you your own worst enemy? When it comes to increasing giving or even making budget pastors are often their own worst enemies. Few churches take any proactive steps to avoid the decline in giving. Most keep doing what they have always done and then wonder why it no longer works. We are headed for tragedy but the real tragedy is it could have been avoided.
A classic example of how churches get it wrong is my parent’s church. My parents are an active 87 years old. My dad “works” twice a week for the Red Cross. My mom spends more time on Facebook than you or I do! Nearly every Sunday of their lives they are in church. They have tithed since the day they were married nearly 70 years ago. The first dollar I made mowing a lawn my dad made sure I put a dime in the offering plate the next day on Sunday. They give more than 10% even though that amount in their retirement years is far less than it was.
I call them every Sunday to check in, talk family and see how they are. This past Sunday my dad told me what happened when they went to church that morning. They attend the early traditional service. That means the service for other Senior Adults like them. Traditional means they sing hymns as opposed to repeating a chorus over and over multiple times. Their church employs an 80 year old minister who preaches that service. He is a great man and he has ministered to my family countless times.
“I am sorry to have to do this but we are behind budget here and our Senior Pastor has asked me to preach on giving.” That was how the sermon began this past Sunday at the traditional service. Why is this wrong?
First, as the saying goes he was preaching to the choir! This crowd has faithfully given their entire lives. They built the church and all the facilities. They have giving down so why preach to them about what they are already doing?
Secondly, if you are going to preach or talk about money never apologize. Why would we when we are about changing the world. In fairness to this pastor I think he knew he was preaching to the choir and thus his apology.
The biggest reason the sermon was wrong was that it should not have needed to be preached in the first place. Obviously the church was struggling to make ends meet. This was not the first time this has happened. Based upon their actions it will not be the last.
Preaching about giving when you are struggling to make budget simply makes you look desperate. Not only that, it doesn’t work. Oh, that Sunday’s offering might be a bit higher. The next week after that it will be back to where it was, declining.
Some of you reading this right now are behind budget. You might be thinking of preaching a sermon on giving. It won’t work. Not by itself. You need a more comprehensive plan of action. You need help and putting off doing anything will only make matters worse.
Let me help you! I promise that if you will follow my plans your giving will increase. If it doesn’t I will give you your money back. Let’s get started as time is wasting and we need to get to work ASAP!
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach
PS. Try my Giving365 plan for 14 days for $1 by going here https://thestewardshipcoach.org/2015/06/15/giving-365-introductory-special-14-days-for-1-00/