Americans are eating out less so why does that matter when it comes to giving to your church? I will explain but first let me set the stage for this post.
“Dining Out Falls Victim to Economy,” was the headline on Monday June 27th’s edition of the Business & Tech section of The Wall Street Journal. The article pointed out that restaurant visit growth has stalled in the last three months, “signaling that consumers, jittery over economic uncertainties, are re-trenching,” it read. I read and watch stuff like this. Why? Because when people are cutting back their spending in one area it is not long until they cut back on giving to their church. As I always say,
When there is anxiety on Main Street about the economy there is anxiety in the pew when the offering is passed.
Not only will people eat out less but during stressful economic times they tend to give less. You might be looking at a decline in giving as the mood over our economy worsens.
As a pastor or church leader you cannot do anything about people’s mood over the economy. You can’t pull Stocks upward after Brexit. So, are you simply stuck by events out of your control? NO!!!!!! Another one of my sayings is, “don’t just sit there, do something!”
Churches that are fully funded are churches that don’t sit idly by hoping that the offering will increase on its own. They do something! So, what should you do? Here are some practical things you can do right now.
First and foremost, get over the fear of asking people for money. The Churches mission is to change the world. No other organization on the face of the planet has done and continues to do as much good as the Church. So, why would we NOT ask people to give to our life changing work? One of the biggest mistakes churches make is falling prey to the fear of asking for money.
Next develop a message of why giving to your church is important. People give to life change. People give to vision. Communicate what your church is doing to change lives and people will give. We always say that your vision should be clear, concise and most of all compelling!
Put into place the tools you need to make giving easy for your members. The easier you make it for people to give the more apt they are to give. You need multiple options for people to give through. If the only means of giving is the offering plate you will be fast out of money. You need online giving and text giving. My company, Charis Giving Solutions, can set that up for you. For more information go to, Charis Giving Solutions
Finally, you need a plan. For instance as I write this we are days away from the 4th of July and a three day weekend. Any time we have holiday weekends like this the offering is always lower. My members received a detailed plan of action to offset any decline in giving. All they have to do is put their name on the letters and emails and their plan is in place. Do you have a plan?
For $1 you can try my plan for 14 days. After that it costs just $1 a day to get the kind of planning on a regular basis that I listed above. Here is the link, $1 for 14 days
You need to get a plan and work your plan to offset the decline in giving to the church that is happening! I would love to help you. So, don’t just sit there, sign up today!
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach