Guide 2 Increase Giving
Guide 2 Increase Giving
GUIDE to
Increase
Church Giving
But before we go into detail about "what to do", let's take a look at "why" conduct a generosity initiative on an annual or regular basis.
Reason 2: A generosity initiative will help people rise above the pull of materialism and consumerism
People in our congregations are bombarded with billboards, TV commercials, mailings, radio ads, newspaper ads, magazine advertisements, and stores filled with thousands of products. This world screams at them in every way imaginable that only having more stuff or the latest-greatest stuff will make them more happy. And yet we know from 2 Tim 6:10 that "godliness with contentment is great gain". As a church specifically teaches their people about God's view on finances and generosity, they will help people slay the dragon of materialism that breathes down their necks every day. Teaching and encouraging people to be faithful and generous givers to God's work is the only antidote you can give them to living an unsatisfied materialistic lifestyle.
Reason 3: A generosity initiative will deepen people's commitment to the Lord and to your church
Matthew 6:21 tells us that "where your treasure is there your heart will be also." When you intentionally instruct and inspire people to be generous to the Lord and His work at your church, you are building stronger spiritual bonds in their life. If someone sits in a pew week after week, but does not learn to faithfully and generously give to the Lord's work at your church, their hearts are not with you. Even if someone volunteers a lot or even serves on your top leadership board, if they are not faithfully giving, their hearts are not with you! The sad reality is that in many churches, 25-40% and sometimes even 50% of those sitting in the pews/chairs most weeks have giving records that show zero dollars being given.
Reason 4: A generosity initiative will provide a format and forum to encourage greater generosity in people's lives
If done well, people will genuinely begin to truly get excited about giving to God's work. This will often lead to behind-the-scenes and/or up-front stories of God's provision and faithfulness to his people as they begin to faithfully give to the Lord. I heard of one missionary that had some tribal people who had begun to read their Bibles come up and ask him, "what does the word 'tithe' mean?" Since he thought they were too poor to give, he skirted the question for a number of months. But since they kept asking, he finally explained that the Bible teaches that Christian believers should faithfully and generously give at least 10% to the Lord from whatever he gives them. The tribal Christians began to put this into practice and began to experience God's help in their finances and daily provisions. Soon they were fully supporting their local church and church leaders. The missionary later confessed that as the "rich American" he was wrong in not teaching the people about giving to the Lord. By his
silence, he was causing them to miss out on the joy of giving, the excitement of receiving, and the privilege of supporting God's work.
Ingredient 2: Written communications and/or devotional reading materials mailed to the homes
I believe that if Biblical generosity teaching is to truly take root in peoples heart and then spring to life in people's pocketbooks, it must be processed and discussed at home in the context of reading what the Bible says about generosity. While preaching can steer the ship, Bible devotional readings at home are the engines (or the winds) that will move people's stewardSHIP to new destinations. With this in mind, I put together a Bible devotional for my church (and for other churches to use) called, "40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life" (www.GenerousLife.info) . But whatever devotional material you may choose to use, should include clear Biblical teaching on generosity that is easy to read. If possible, the material should help people assess their giving to the Lord's work in light of their income sources, lifestyle choices, financial assets, and giving priorities. The reason I say that generosity devotional and written materials are to be mailed to the homes is because many churches in an effort to "save money" will put materials on a back table and encourage people to pick them up after the worship service. But the reality is that a third of your people are gone on any given Sunday and half the people you tell to pick up materials in the back will either forget or will choose not to pick up anything to do with finances and giving. So, the best approach is to make sure you mail your generosity materials to every household. In the quietness of their own home, they can read and reflect on what is written without the issue of a pastor's preaching style and personality or the church budget getting in the way of the spiritual transformation that needs to take place in people's hearts.
Helpful Resources
Now that we've consider the "why" and "how" to have a successful generosity initiative in your church, here is "where" you can turn for proven resources to unleash greater generosity in your church. www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org: On my website you will find helpful downloadable generosity resources. Churches of all sizes across the country are beginning to use the Bible devotional booklet "A 40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life" (www.GenerousLife.info) for all-church and small group/classes generosity initiatives. On this website you will also find pamphlets/flyers, helps for preaching on money/generosity, PowerPoint generosity slides, helpful articles, a free monthly generosity newsletter, and more in order to help you unleash greater giving in your church. Click the following link for a free copy of the "NATIONAL REPORT: 45 Best Generosity Practices of Leading Churches". www.generousgiving.org This website identifies a wide variety of generosity resources that can be reviewed by a church to help encourage generosity. They offer their own materials and also direct you to other resources. www.Crown.org On Crown Financial Ministries website they have many helpful Bible studies, articles, and resources to help training people to manage their finances and giving according to sound Biblical principles. www.visionresourcing.com Dick Edic has put together a valuable resource manual and leadership training materials for a church to plan and implement a year-round multi-pronged approach to stewardship in the local church. Denominational Resources Some denominations provide stewardship pamphlets, curriculum, and campaign materials. The Southern Baptists probably offer the greatest quantity and diversity of stewardship materials that can be used by local churches. www.DynamicGiving.com Former pastor, Dr. Rod Rogers has written some excellent materials and provides training and consulting for churches increase their giving. www.stewardshipresources.org This website is for the Ecumenical Center for Stewardship Studies in Indianapolis, IN. A coalition of mainline denominations work together with this group to produce materials that can be used in annual stewardship drives in churches. Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program by Abingdon Press. Effective Stewardship by KLW Enterprises. This is a multi-faceted stewardship program for use in churches.
Website? Use of Scripture? Format Used? Weekly Questions for Personal Reflection or Use in Small Group or Class? Worksheets to Assess Giving Practices & Possibilities? A plan to include generosity testimonies in the worship services? Preaching helps? # of sermons required as part of this emphasis? Is this easy to mail to every household?
Booklet www.GenerousLife.Info 400+ Daily one page Bible devotional readings for personal or family use Yes
Worksheets that assess giving in light of: (1) All income sources (2) All lifestyle choices (3) All assets (4) All giving practices Yes. Weekly questions can be used as a spring board for testimonies or Q&A interview in worship services.
Yes
Only 1 is needed. But more can be done if desired. The booklet is a selfmailer - - only needs a label and postage to send. Mailing services offered for over 200 booklets being sent. Yes * 90-Day delayed payment option offered. * Booklet is professionally designed & in FULL color. * Money back guarantee * 7 Step Plan on How to Use $3.99 to $5.99 per booklet for churchwide use (depending on quantity ordered) OR a customizable version is available if you want to print your own booklet ($1/each reprint cost) Yes. Addendum materials are available to help with building drives.
Costs?
27
calvaryftl.org 1freechurch.org
national church salary survey studies 35 Review nacba.net christianleadershipalliance.com list of projects awaiting funding 36 Approved 1freechurch.org/list.shtml statements/chart sent out 3-4x/year 37 Giving MAXIMUMgenerosity.org newsletter sent w/statements 38 Financial MAXIMUMgenerosity.org church accounting practice 39 Faithful churchlawtoday.com nacba.net ecfa.org
generosity speaker Denominational resources 11 Guest www.crown.org GenerousLife.info testimonies (live or video) 12 Generosity GiveWithJoy.org goodsenseministry.com generousgiving.org with financial or generosity theme 13 Dramas goodsenseministry.com generousgiving.org
40 Generosity info in church bulletin and newsletter 41 Policy & practice of church faithfully giving 10%+
Tithing Challenge Guarantee www.injoy.com 42 90-Day www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org www.leaderskillsinc.com
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Conferences for Pastors & Church Leaders
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45 Staff/leaders asked or required to be faithful givers 46 advance Biblical $ teaching and generosity
Financial ministry leader/committee established to
www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org christianstewardshipnetwork.com
17 Benevolence Offering & Assistance crown.org 18 Career Guidance crossroadscareer.org crown.org/Career Direct
to a Christian Financial Professional 19 Referral kingdomadvisors.org Estate/Planned Giving Services
Denominations aboutplannedgiving.com nationalchristian.com idonate.com kingdomadvisors.org barnabasfoundation.com visionresourcing.com
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CAMPAIGNS
Annual Stewardship Campaign or Pledging
Group Ministries (single parents, women, 21 Target business owners/professional, etc.) crown.org fcci.org Foundation Referral 22 Community/Denomination nationalchristian.com Denomination resources & tax planning for church staff 23 Financial clergysupport.com kingdomadvisors.org Ministering to people with the gift of giving
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www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org (40 Days or 6 week campaign) www.generousgiving.org www.stewardshipresources.org www.barnabasfoundation.com www.klwenterprises.com www.acmc.org
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special offerings for the needy 25 Collecting Denomination resources samaritanspurse.org angeltree.org
Best Practices
TEACHING
SS Classes $ Curriculum $ Small Groups Offered Financial Seminar All-church 40 Days Generosity Focus Stewardship Campaign or Pledges Estate Planning Seminar Incorporate in membership class $ Tracts/flyers in lobby or mailed Childrens Curriculum Youth Curriculum
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CAMPAIGNS
Annual stewardship or pledge drive 90 Day Tithing Challenge Guarantee Missions conference or faith promise Building/Capital Fund Campaign Other idea(s)
This is the 2nd page of a 2 page document: How to Increase Church Giving: 50 Best Church Practices & 80 Best Website that was compiled by Dr. Brian Kluth, Pastor, bestselling author (www.GenerousLife.info), speaker, media commentator, and founder of www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org .
To receive Brians FREE Monthly Email Newsletter for pastors and church leaders, go to: www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org
12 Professionally Designed Offertory Slides (JPG format) Click to preview all 12 in a PDF format
These attractive professionally designed slides can be shown on your screen during the worship service while the offering is being collected. Have the person praying for the offering read the verse on the slide and then pray according the the truth about generosity highlighted in the verse.
Generosity PowerPoint Slides for Church Offerings Click to download a partial list "sampler" slides
For a small investment of less than $1 per week can greatly help increase your offerings! This PowerPoint presentation has more than a year's worth of slides (WITH professional photos and verses that encourage generosity) for use in your worship services. Suggestion: Have the person praying for the morning offering read the selected verse up on the screen before praying. If desired, the photo/verse slide can then remain on the screen as a powerful reminder that God calls His people to be faithful in their generosity. Click here to see verses.
"God's Word on Finances, Wealth and Generosity" E-Manual: "Guide to Increase Church Giving" - Why & How to Conduct An All-Church Generosity Initiative
Do you want to unleash greater generosity in your congregation? Are you looking for a first-time or annual stewardship drive ideas, insights, and materials? This e-manual will guide you and/or your church committee to a greater understanding on the whys and hows of conducting an all-church generosity initiative. Also include in this manual is a list of proven national resources and website links to help you successfully increase giving in your church. Price: $29.95
Financial Sermon Series or Seminar PowerPoint Slides: "30 Principles to Financial Freedom and Peace"
This PowerPoint presentation can be used in a financial sermon series or seminar. Click here to see handout and verses for these messages.. Click here to see "sampler" of this PowerPoint presentation.
Financial Sermon Series or Seminar PowerPoint Slides: "10 Keys to Finding Financial Stability In Unstable Times"
This PowerPoint presentation can be used in a financial sermon series or seminar. Click here to see handout and verses for these messages.. Click here to see "sampler" of this PowerPoint presentation.
Five reprintable/customizable Generosity Tracts / Flyers / Pamphlets . . . 1. "Understanding the Grace of Giving" - $19.95 2. "Count Your Blessings" $19.95 3. "A to Z Giving Ideas" - $19.95 4. "Are You Growing in the Grace of Giving" - $19.95 5. "Information About Our Church's Finances & Giving" - $19.95
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
NATIONAL REPORT: 45 Best Generosity Practices of Leading Churches (includes annual planning
calendar worksheet)" individual price
E-Book: "Preaching & Writing Guide: 250 Quips, Quotes, Facts & Stats on MONEY & GENEROSITY" Bible devotional booklet on generosity: "40 Day
Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life" for personal, small group, Sunday School, all-church, and/or capital campaign use. This booklet identifies 40 Biblical generosity principles and over 500 verses! - individual price ($1/booklet reprint
charges still apply on this product alone)
$49.9 5
package
price!
Respond today and receive
$800
in resources for
www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org's 100+ website articles on the internet can be downloaded or copied and
used by your church. PLUS: Free monthly generosity e-newsletters with articles and resources that you can share with church treasurers, finance committees, church leaders, and stewardship committees. Copyright reprint permission for 12 months to copy, share, print, modify, or email any of Brian's website materials for use in your local church or non-profit ministry Up to $99 individual price
Just $49.9 5
You will receive $800 of resources that the Lord can use to greatly increase the generosity in your church!
$49.95 covers the cost for all of these items. Copyright reprint permissions is granted for these materials for 1 year from the date of purchase. 40 Day
go to: www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org