When it comes to the offering you get what you ask for. Many churches mess up the offering time and thus struggle to raise the funds they need to do the ministry they have in their hearts. Even churches that make budget still under perform far beyond their capability and it comes back simply to the way the offering is handled. Churches for the most part do a horrible job at one of the key aspects of worship, the offering.
Much of the blame lies in the Contemporary Church Movement. The thought was that churches asking for money was what was keeping people from attending church. So, the push came to devalue the offering time. In many “Seeker Friendly” churches you have to hunt to find a way to give as they do not bother people with asking for a gift to God. Forgive me but when was Sunday morning worship ever suppose to be about seekers?
Most churches take more time before the offering telling guests that they don’t have to give rather than expressing why people ought to give. This thus then contributes to the continued decline in giving to the church. Why give when you tell me I don’t have to give. When it comes to giving to your offering you get what you ask for. If you don’t ask for anything you will not get anything. If you don’t make the offering an important part of your worship why would anyone INCLUDING your members want to give?
Phillips Temple Example
One of my long time clients is pastor Jimmy Washington who always does a great job with taking up the offering. He doesn’t apologize and he never gets in a hurry. The offering set up time took about five minutes. Five minutes! I know what you are thinking; you can’t spare the time in your preciously tight worship schedule for that. Doesn’t that in and of itself say something? Since we give time to what we value and deem important it must be that we don’t value the offering!
At the offering time at Phillips Pastor Washington had the quotes below upon the screen and had the entire congregation read them out loud. Several times he paused and had special short prayers for groups. Here is what the Phillips family happily quoted to one another yesterday…
As we receive today’s offering we are believing the Lord for:
Jobs and better jobs, Raises and bonuses, Benefits Sales and commissions, Favorable settlements, Estates and inheritances.
Interests and income, Rebates and returns, Checks in the mail, Gifts and surprises, Finding money, Debts paid off, Expenses decrease, Blessing and increase
Thank You, Lord, for meeting all of my financial needs that I may have more than enough to give into the Kingdom of God and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!!!!!!
The offering at Phillips Temple is never boring can the same be said for your offering? Despite tough economic times Phillips Temple has continued to see their giving stay strong allowing them to fully fund all their missions and ministry endeavors. What about you?
Find what will work for you and use it. Perhaps the above would not work for you. My point in this post is to find something that will work.
The church doesn’t talk too much about money we don’t talk about it enough and in the right way. People will give to cause that have meaning. The task should be to make people WANT to give to your church. Give them a reason to give and they will.
If you spend your time explaining why people don’t have to give and never tell them the value of giving don’t be surprised when the Finance Team tells you the church must cut the budget and they start with your salary!
Mark Brooks- The Stewardship Coach