Offering Distribution

Over the course of several weeks, I am creating an online stewardship workshop to assist churches and other non-profits with their stewardship celebrations. Please click back on previous posts for more information.

This is a new idea that I haven't tried yet: As I write this, I am in Kansas City at the Leadership Institute (LI) seminar held at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Over three days, LI brings together 2,000 leaders from across the country for an opportunity to explore leadership techniques and consider how we can bring new life to our churches. There are 80 breakout sessions focusing on areas such as children and family ministries, mission and outreach, welcoming new members, and stewardship. This is my second year attending LI, and this year our congregation sent three leaders to the event. I highly recommend this workshop to lay leaders and pastors. (http://li.cor.org/)

At the event, Resurrection’s Senior Pastor, Adam Hamilton, talked about the importance of sharing with our members why we give offering prior to distribution. For many of us, the offering time is announced: “We will now receive our offering.” We don’t mention why we receive offering, because we assume everyone knows the reason—to keep things going. What would happen if, instead of seeing offering as "the way we keep things going" we saw offering as the way we lived out the prayer "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven?" What impact would we have if we took 30 seconds each week and shared with our congregation the reasons we receive offering? We could say something like this:

“We will now receive our offering. In the time of prayer we just completed, we prayed for the hungry and homeless in our community, including those who sleep in our entry way. We give our offering to God not out of obligation, but because we care about all those people we just prayed for. The homeless who receive food from our congregation’s donations to Christian Ministries. The hospitalized, who are visited by our Pastors. The kids in Sunday School who are using a new hands-on curriculum to teach them about the love of Jesus. During this time of offering, we have an opportunity to honor God by sharing the gifts He has given us. Thank you for blessing others through your generosity. As the offering plates are passed, in addition to sharing your gift, please take time to pray for those who will be touched by your gifts. May Christ be made known to all in need.”

What would happen if each week we briefly highlighted some of the many missions that are made possible by the offering and asked people to pray for these missions? This is more than a simple way to “get more offering money” to pay the bills.

The offering is a sacred time where we share what we have with those in need to the glory of God. What if we took time to teach this to our congregations? This is an opportunity, each week, to take 30 seconds and share God's mission and purpose with those around us. Over 52 weeks, that’s 26 minutes of time spent educating people on the mission of your church and the purpose of giving gifts to God.

That’s all I have for this week. After 3 days of learning, worshiping and finding renewal, I need rest. Peace be with you all!

Targeted Letters

Over the course of several weeks, I am creating an online stewardship workshop to assist churches and other non-profits with their stewardship celebrations. Please click back on previous posts for more information.

Targeted Letters to Members

As Pastors, most of us have degrees from multiple colleges, universities or seminaries. Throughout the year, we receive mailings from these institutions asking for donations. In addition to universities, we sort through a large number of letters from organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Malaria Initiative asking us to consider making a gift. It is rare, if not unheard of, to receive a quarterly magazine from your seminary or college without also receiving a letter asking you to give.

Here's a question for you: If you made a gift to your seminary for $10,000, do you think future letters would differ from those who made gifts totaling $10? Of course! The motivations, willingness to give, and, perhaps, the ability to give differs among people. Top donors receive personalized letters, invitations to special events, and phone calls from the organization. Donors who give $10 receive heartfelt thanks and are asked to consider raising their donation to $50 in the next year. While not invited to special events or asked to serve on the board of trustees, non-profits know they need large and small donations, and their communication with these donors reflects this.

Here's another question: Why, then, do the majority of churches send the same letter to all givers? Why do we not recognize that the values of the individuals and the investment they have in the mission of the church differ? Why do we send the same letter to those who give $10 or $10,000?

This is not an issue of judgment, it's understanding our audiences and being tuned into what they find persuasive. We need to start growing generosity wherever people are. As leaders, we can't have the mindset "$500 isn't a tithe! It isn't even 3% of their income! That's not generous at all!" We need to meet people where they are, help them to see that their gifts and their resources are vital to the church. Over time, people will then WANT to give more.

In our context, we write a letter to the "top 10 givers." This letter is personal, states that they are among the top givers in the congregation, and thanks them for their generosity. We consider who the individuals are and will often reference ministries and programs that they value. We also include the fact that both the Pastors are also among the most generous of givers, sharing that both Pastors are "tithe plus" families. We then write 3 additional letters given to people based on the amount of their gifts. Letters can also target "non-pledged givers," "new members" and other categories as you see fit. All letters include a pledge card, ask members to pray about their gifts, and invite them to attend our stewardship/commitment Sunday celebration.

Follow up letters: All givers receive a followup letter after the stewardship celebration has ended. Those who pledged receive a word of thanks while those who did not pledge are asked once again to consider pledging (with pledge card included)

Below are two sample letters. The resources I listed last week have additional information on targeted letters.

(Letter to those giving $5,000-$2,000 yearly)

To Our HTLC Family:
As we prepare for Commitment Sunday on November 22, we want to thank you for the gifts you have given in 2009 and ask that you prayerfully consider pledging in 2010. I write to you not only as your pastor, but also as someone, who, perhaps like you, has experienced economic uncertainty, fearing what the future would bring. We joined HTLC seven years ago, while I worked on my master’s degree and Jeff taught at Ball State on a contract basis. We were warmly welcomed, but didn’t know much about the community or the ministries of the church. Two months after we joined, the church held its annual Stewardship Campaign. As we listened to long time pillars of the congregation talk about pledging, we wanted to give to the church, but frankly, we were motivated by fear and economic uncertainty, which came knocking at our door every month in the form of electric bills and student loans.

I’m going to share with you something I wish I would have heard in my heart seven years ago: Your gifts are valued, are received without judgment, are private, and greatly needed. We ask for pledges not to judge you, but to plan our ministries for the year with accuracy and in a responsible way. Holy Trinity is blessed to have you as a member and part of our community. On a daily basis, I pray for you and all the members of Holy Trinity. You are an answer to my prayers. With your gifts, we are able to share the message of God’s love with Muncie and the world.

The past year has brought emotional and economic hardship to many in our community, perhaps even you. As we look ahead to 2010, Holy Trinity is working to be faithful and fiscally responsible with our resources. In order to do this, we need to have a clear picture of our congregation’s planned giving for the year, and pledges are more important than ever. Committed pledges will enable us to plan our ministries and share our blessings with others. The needs of our community are great, but the gifts of God’s people are even greater.

No matter the amount of your pledge, know that God is at work and we are forever grateful to you. I’m anxious but faith-filled as we look ahead to 2010. I’m anxious; knowing the needs of the community have increased while the financial stability of many members has decreased. But I am faith-filled, knowing God is always faithful, and His people will show their faith to the world

In the coming days, I ask you to…

1) Pray: Ask God to be with you as you consider how to share your gifts with HTLC in 2010.

2) Worship: Surround yourself with faithful Christians who will encourage and empower you to live out your faith.

3) Attend Adult Forum: Study God’s Word and learn more at HTLC’s mission for 2010.

4) PLEDGE: We will ask members to make pledges on Sunday, November 22. We cannot faithfully plan our 2010 ministries without your PLEDGED CONTRIBUTIONS.

Thank you for all you share with the Holy Trinity community. May God Bless you in 2010!

(Letter to New, unpledged members)

To our newest HTLC members:

As we prepare for Commitment Sunday on November 22, we want to thank you for the gifts you have given in 2009 and ask that you prayerfully consider pledging in 2010. We are aware that many in our congregation give generously but feel uneasy about pledging. I write to you not only as your pastor, but also as a former new member. We joined HTLC seven years ago, while I worked on my master’s degree and Jeff taught at Ball State on a contract basis. We were warmly welcomed, but didn’t know much about the community or the ministries of the church. Two months after we joined, the church held its annual Stewardship Campaign, and we felt incredibly out of place. Before coming to HTLC, Jeff hadn’t attended church regularly since he was ten and I hadn’t attended much while in college. As we listened to long time pillars of the congregation talk about pledging, it felt like the message was directed to established members with stable jobs, not formerly unchurched grad students who were planning to move in two years! Living on an unstable contract salary and my grad student stipend, we were making ends meet, but certainly didn’t have much left at the end of the month. The thought of tithing was overwhelming and so far out of reach that I didn’t even want to pledge. We wondered what ministry could be done with our small gift.

I’m going to share with you something I wish I would have heard in my heart seven years ago: No matter your age, financial status, or history in this or any other church: YOU ARE A TREASURED CHILD OF GOD WITH AMAZING GIFTS TO SHARE. Holy Trinity is blessed to have you as a member and part of our community. On a daily basis, I pray for you, and for those who will soon join us in the ministry of HTLC. You are an answer to my prayers. With your gifts, we are able to share the message of God’s love with Muncie and the world. No matter how small your pledge may seem to you, know that God is at work and we are forever grateful to you.

I’m anxious but faith-filled as we look ahead to 2010. I’m anxious; knowing the needs of the community have increased while the financial stability of many members has decreased. But I am faith-filled, knowing God is always faithful, and His people will show their faith to the world. In 2009, Holy Trinity nurtured the faith of over 60 kids through Vacation Bible School, provided housing to homeless families through Project Stepping Stone and gave over $30,000 to outreach projects as we worked to fight poverty locally and globally through partnerships with the national church. Imagine what we will do in 2010! All these ministries were made possible through member pledges, one dollar at a time. $5 a week funds our entire Health Ministry, while a pledge of $20 a week funds our yearly Sunday School curriculum. Your gifts to God are valuable, needed, and help us to spread the Gospel.

In the coming weeks, I ask you to…

1) Pray: Ask God to be with you as you consider how to share your gifts with HTLC in 2010.

2) Worship: Surround yourself with faithful Christians who will encourage and empower you to live out your faith.

3) Attend Adult Forum: Study God’s Word and learn more about HTLC’ mission for 2010.

4) PLEDGE: We will ask members to make pledges on Sunday, November 22. We cannot faithfully plan our 2010 ministries without your PLEDGED CONTRIBUTIONS.

Thank you for all you share with the Holy Trinity community. May God bless you in 2010!

Next Week: Celebrating tradition during your stewardship celebration

Missional Budgets & Resources

Last week, as a result of the holiday, I took a holiday from posting. Welcome back, stewardship folks!

Creating a Missional Budget:
Every church and nonprofit has a budget indicating the amount of money that will be spent in a particular ministry area. $2,500 for Youth Ministry. $4,000 for Hospitality. Often, congregations hand out copies of their budgets during their stewardship celebration in an attempt at transparency and with the hope of building support for ministries. But what do these numbers mean? And further, how do we expect people to get excited about numbers on a page? This is where the Missional Budget comes in.

Missional Budgets tell the story of your ministry. They include dollar amounts, but they also explain what is done with the dollars. When people understand what they are giving to, they are more likely to give. In addition, missional budgets create deeper transparency and give ministry teams the opportunity to share with the congregation their goals for the future. SHOW members what COULD happen if they gave more.

Our congregation breaks up our missional budget by ministry team. There are 7 teams (worship, outreach, support, buildings & grounds, media, hospitality, nurture). We include the budget amount for the team plus 1/7th of the total salaries (for example, the nurture budget includes its $3,700 budget amount, plus 1/7th of the salary for the pastors, secretary, etc.) I'm sure there are different formulas you could use based on job descriptions. The point is to tell your congregation's story through the budget.

Here are two examples from our Missional Budget.

Worship Ministries

“The first time I worshiped at Holy Trinity, I told my husband ‘we have finally found a church home.’ Everyone was friendly and the service was easy to follow.”

Holy Trinity’s mission, to Gather God’s People, Grow in Faith, and Go in Service begins with Sunday worship and midweek worship during the summer. Worship is the first impression visitors have of our church and is a place for all of us to gather around the Lord’s Table. Our choir shares the gift of music weekly, while our Praise Team leads us in worship monthly, and during Vacation Bible School. Over the next year our pastors are working to offer worship and educational programs on Wednesday evenings during the fall, winter and spring. Holy Trinity will look for ways to incorporate more special vocal and instrumental music into the services. There will also be an effort to involve more children in the worship service including music by the Sunday School students and possibly through the use of tone chimes for festival services. There will also be a Sunday service in which a teaching format will be utilized to explain the meaning and history of each element of the worship service. To help participants better understand our service, the bulletin will include educational information about the service in the margins. Mission Total: $44,702

Expanded Mission: (What we would LIKE to do, but currently do not have funds)

The Ministry of worship has talked about the possibility of bringing in a professional guest choir or Lutheran College choir for a special community performance and Sunday service. Our choir is also interested in expanding their musical library and the recently donated piano could also use some updates, including the possibility of a trade in for a new model.

Buildings and Grounds

“We are proud of our building—it’s location, tradition, and, in the years to come, increased accessibility.”

While most people are aware that Buildings and Grounds is in charge of providing heat, air conditioning, maintenance and other utilities, many people have a difficult time seeing this ministry as a ministry. However, without proper maintenance and payment of utilities, we would have no space to gather for worship, fill 140 food baskets, provide a Christmas party for Head Start Children, gather school supplies, or conduct weddings and funerals. This ministry models stewardship of God’s earth by tending to Holy Trinity’s land and property while providing a good first impression for visitors by maintaining our lawn, trees and flower beds. The volunteer work of Buildings and Grounds have painted, cleaned and enhanced our gardens this year. If we were to hire outside contractors to do the work provided to us free of change by this group, the cost would be in the thousands of dollars. Mission Total: $73,398

Expanded Mission:

In addition to working with the Mission Task Force to assess Holy Trinity’s future building and maintenance needs, this group has begun to explore ways to convert a restroom into a handicapped accessible family restroom. This will send the message to our community that Holy Trinity is a welcoming, accessible place for all people.

Additional Resources I have found the following resources helpful in creating our stewardship celebration.

Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate by J. Clif Christopher includes practical advice on stewardship and legacy gift planning. I found the “Missional Budget” format in this book.

Enough by Adam Hamilton This series of resources is especially helpful for those of us working on stewardship during difficult economic times.

Both resources can be found on amazon and other online book sellers.

Next Week: Targeted Giving Letters