Do you know the power of a thank you? I regularly teach my clients that a thank you is one of the most profound ways in which a pastor can build future giving. Want proof of that? Here is a note sent to me by one of my client pastors Brian Hughes of Powhatan Community Church not far from Richmond, VA sent me this note…
I send a thank you card to every first time giver every week. Got this note and thought I’d share it with you.
“WOW! Everything about PCC continually blows me away and exceeds all of my expectations! I never, in a million years, would have ever expected a hand-written, personalized thank you note from the pastor of a church (especially one as large as PCC) for my gift. You are a class-act through & through and I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of your church family! Thank you and may God bless you for the gifts you bestow upon our hearts & souls every week!
Many blessings,
Karen”
Do you think Karen will give again? My guess is she will. How much time did Pastor Brian spend on this simple card? For a church his size growing as fast as it is he might have taken an hour. Would an hour of your week be worth it? It will be if the Karen’s of the world are moved and motivated to give again.
Do you have a first time giver strategy? My clients do! They have learned the power of the thank you. A thank you is one positive reminder of giving. Showing thanks to your donors shows you value them and their gift. It shows they are not just a number with you. When you say thanks you are paving the way for the next gift. The time you spend will come back in multiple blessings. People should give because we are commanded to give. Yet when we in the church show gratitude for the gift it makes it easier to gain the next gift. Are you saying thank you to your donors?
I have a lot of great ideas that can help you be fully funded this year! My monthly membership plan gives you loads of ideas and materials that you can use to increase giving at your church. Find out how to become a member at https://thestewardshipcoach.org/join-now/
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach