Get a plan and work your plan! I have been preaching this for years. One of the major reasons we have seen a decline in giving is that churches simply don’t have a plan to combat the decline. Think about it, we have plans for everything but giving. Congratulations on reading this post it shows you are at least thinking about planning for giving!
Reading this post while helpful is not a plan in and of itself. This post and all my stuff are merely tools for you to use in implementing a strategic plan of action. This post and the next few weeks will focus upon how to set up a plan of action that will help you increase giving.
Let’s build a plan on the five key tracks we emphasize. When I work with some of the largest churches in America I help them build out plans based upon five key tracks. Using those same tracks you can easily build out a plan of action. What I will do is list each track and then list suggestions for each one. Use this template as an idea starter towards implementing your own plan of action. Here we go…
The Pastoral Track – There is no greater person to raise funds than the Senior Minister. Consider…
- Obtaining a list of your top donors. If confidentiality is an issue have someone alphabetize the list.
- Write a handwritten note to five from your list every week thanking them for their support and stating that you have been praying for them that day.
- Once a week meet for coffee or a meal with one of your top donors simply to listen to them and build a relationship with them.
- Write a personal note of thanks when anyone gives for the first time to your church. Again if confidentiality is an issue start by saying, “Though I don’t know what you gave it was pointed out to me that you gave here for the first time. I wanted to write and say thank you!”
- Once a quarter as your financial office sends out quarterly giving statements write a letter thanking those donors for their generous support.
- Plan at least one preaching series on giving and stewardship a year.
- Lead your staff, elders, deacons, board members, and financial team to all continual think about how to improve giving! You set the tone and with good leadership they will come along side and help you!
Follow these simple steps and you will be on your way to an effective plan of increasing giving!
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Mark Brooks The Stewardship Coach