There are 5 key post Easter strategies that will help keep your tank full. The tendency after Easter is to crawl up into a fetal ball somewhere like a beach or a mountain. Yet if you want keep your giving tank full you need to continually be thinking about your generosity plans. To that end let me share with you my 5 key post Easter strategies.
Post Easter Strategy – What do you do the Monday morning after Easter?
Rejoice. Take a breath and simply thank God for what happened. Forget about the numbers. Forget about the stress. Focus on what you can rejoice over. What can you take away from Easter as a positive experience to rejoice over? If you can’t think of anything to rejoice over at least rejoice that you survived!
Seriously, I want you to think of four to five things that happened over the Easter weekend that you can be thankful and rejoice over. Don’t compare what happened to your friend across town. Did you do what God led you to do yesterday? Were you faithful to execute the call of God upon your life? Rejoice that you had a chance to represent God on what is our most important day of worship. I believe all of us can find something to rejoice over. Rejoicing is a pathway to finding new refreshment for the future. There is a future so next…
Reflect and Review. What went well this weekend? What needs improvement? Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes but learn from them to better yourself next time. Reflecting and reviewing your Easter immediately after Easter while things are fresh in your mind is imperative.
Reach out. I know you will be tired but let me encourage you to do one last Easter offering related thing, thank your donors. I believe you should thank your faithful donors for continuing to support the work your church is doing. Without their generosity you would not have been able to hold the Easter you did. Is there some who need a personal word of thanks? Reach out to them.
Reboot for summer. Easter is over now is the time to start planning out your summer giving initiative. You know summer is always a challenging time for giving so plan ahead of time so that you can be fully funded.
First and foremost, good summer giving plans are built around a vision. What is the vision of your church this summer? What missions and ministry will you be doing that members will want to support financially? How best can you tell your story so that people will WANT to give to support that story? The bottom line is you need a plan of action if you are going to be fully funded.
Relax. Get some rest and relaxation. The best always know how to rest and relax. Your year is not done and there is a lot more work to be done. There is another sermon to preach, another committee meeting to attend, another…
You can’t be at your best if you are worn out. Jesus often withdrew from the crowd so why don’t you. Turn off the cell phone. Don’t look at your email. Disconnect. Take a walk with your spouse. Go play golf or hike the mountains. My point is you need to relax.
You can’t replay Easter. You can only keep moving forward. These five keys can and will help you navigate the week after Easter. When you are ready I will be here to show you your next steps towards being fully funded.
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach