What you say from the platform can and will impact giving!
Get a plan and work your plan! That is my mantra! Last week I began sharing about having a plan to increase giving and I want to continue that this week. We have spent time focusing upon the Five Tracks that are important to seeing an increase in giving. Last week we talked about the Pastoral Track. This week I want to write about the Platform Track. What is said or NOT said from your platform each week that enhances or detracts from giving? This is the driving force behind the Platform Track.
There are three primary platform ways to communicate giving. The first and foremost that comes to mind is the Pastors message. There is no replacing the importance of preaching on giving. However, you can’t and should not preach on giving every week. You cannot and should not even make reference to giving every week in your sermon. So that aspect of platform communication, though effective, should be limited.
Announcements or better yet screen shots are a great way to focus on giving. I have to say that I hate announcements with a passion. Announcements are not worship and it bugs me that we insert them into the worship service. What I like to do with announcements is have a video loop playing as members wait for the services to begin. You can visually announce upcoming events. Every weekend I would have one slide that focuses upon giving. Make it creative. Show pictures of your missions and ministry in action pointing out that gifts to the church allow things like that to happen. Some slides might be a simple thanks. Others might point out online giving. Use slides before and after your services to focus upon giving.
The offering talk! Next to a sermon series on giving an effective short message on the importance of giving is one of the best ways to increase your giving. The cool thing for you is I have already done the work for you! Sign up now and try my weekly offering talks for 14 days for only $1! Go to, $1 14 Day Offering Talk Trail
All offering pitches need the same essential elements. Here is how to position your offering talks…
- It is ALWAYS about connecting the dots. What gifts do to help fuel missions and ministry is your communications goal. Then remember it is all about getting them to…
- Think, feel and do! You want them to think about what you are doing. You want them to feel for the need or crisis which will ultimately lead them to do, giving.
- Make the offering meaningful, worshipful and interesting and you will get more in the offering!
Every week you and your staff should be thinking about your Platform Track. What are you doing or not doing that enhances or detracts giving? The more you plan the better the results will be!
Need help thinking through your platform track? That is what I do for only $1 a day! You can try it out for 14 days and decide. Go to, $1 14 Day Offering Talk Trail
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach