When Tithing Is Too Much

Archive - March, 2012

March 27, 2012 in Talking About Money With Your Church with 2 Comments

We don’t ask first graders to do advanced algebra.
You don’t program the launch codes on your first day at NASA.
You don’t sign up for the Olympics after one year of youth soccer.

Sometimes, pastors ask people to take steps that are too big for them to take. It’s especially true when it comes to giving.

People who are upside-down on their mortgage and over-spending on their budget and crippled by credit card debt may not feel like they can jump from total chaos to tithing. Argue if you like, but it’s a big step for people, and like stepping across the ocean, if people feel like they will fail at the onset, they probably won’t even try.

Giving people simple steps they can take is a great place to start. It’s certainly appropriate to teach people what the Bible says about stewardship and generosity and tithing, but maybe you could ask people to take one small step.

Ask them to automate a monthly contribution.
Ask them to give 1% more than they are currently giving.
Ask them to volunteer one week a month.

Encourage people that no matter where there are, there’s a simple next step they can take.

How To Wake Up DEAD Donors

March 26, 2012 in Follow Up with 0 Comments

Did you know that the largest group of donors in your church aren’t really donors at all…they are non-givers – people who may care about you and your church, but they don’t participate in the offering at all.

Engaging this large group of people can be tough, but if you do it, it will unlock the opportunity to do a ton of ministry. Here’s four things you can do to wake up dead donors.

Step 1: Realize that you have dead donors.

A dead donor is someone who claims the name of Jesus but doesn’t give. They are in your church. Identify them.

Step 2: Pray for your dead donors.

Pray that God would do a work in their life so great in the area of money that only He can be credited. Giving isn’t a financial issue – it’s a spiritual one. Start praying that God would speak to them.

Step 3: Do a big offering and give the money away.

If you would do a special offering and give the money away, it usually wakes up a bunch of dead donors. Special projects and offerings are GREAT ways to engage brand new donors.

Step 4: Follow up personally.

Send them something like this to thank them. It really does make a difference.

Waking up dead donors must happen. Start identifying the dead donors in your church today.

Giver Appreciation Kit

March 21, 2012 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

We have been asked for a long time, “What should I send people who give to my church to show we appreciate them?”

Well, after looking for a good solution, we decided to create it:

What Happens When You Give
Quick facts:

1. It’s personalized (thank you note included)

2. It’s inexpensive (under $3 per family)

3. It’s inspirational (44 page booklet people will actually read)

Check out the video of the kit NOW!

We highly recommend that you appreciate your donors and we think this is a great way to do just that.

Get Fired Up!

P.S. FREE shipping on our new Giver Appreciation Kit this month. Grab a case!

Member Success Story

March 20, 2012 in Church Finance & Ministry Money, Talking About Money With Your Church with 0 Comments

Here’s a video we received from member, Joshua Bingle, Lead Pastor of Genesis Church, in Spokane, Washington.

We are honored to serve you, Pastor Josh, and so many like you!

Try our program for only $1 for the first month! We’ve done the hard work FOR you, so that all you have to do is implement it! It worked for Genesis Church and it CAN work for you too.

Free Easter Giving Talk

March 19, 2012 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

Every month, we send 4-5 brand new and professionally written Giving Talk scripts to our members. Some turn them into videos. Some hand them to volunteers. Some use them as inspiration to write their own.

A Giving Talk is a 2-minute set-up of the offering, and it’s one of the most important times in your service. As you get ready for Easter, we wanted to give you a FREE Giving Talk that’s perfect to introduce the offering (and the reason you do it) to all the guests who will attend your church on Easter.

Fill out the short form and a PDF will arrive in your inbox.

Why Are Churches Scared To Take Up An Easter Offering?

March 15, 2012 in Taking Special Offerings & Church Tithing, Talking About Money With Your Church with 0 Comments

Churches are usually scared to take up an Easter Offering because of the amount of people who will be attending the church for the first time. Pastors tell me that they have a fear of scaring off newcomers.

In every church where a pastor has pressed through this fear and held an Easter Offering anyway, they come back to me and say things like, “That really wasn’t a bad idea.”

Asking for money on Easter is a no-brainer because big days produce big results, and you WILL NOT lose the people attending for the first time. Here is why:

1. People aren’t dumb

Do you really think that unchurched people are shocked that you will talk about money? I actually think you have an awesome opportunity to show them that talking about money can be FUNNY and do it in a NO guilt and life-giving way.

2. You can tell them the offering is for them

Explain that the reason you are taking an Easter Offering is because you want to provide ministry for people who don’t go to church. If you can show them that you are doing GOOD with the money and loving your community, they will respect that.

3. People who come to church rarely like to chip in

They are coming to to the church out of some religious guilt, usually. If they participate in the offering, you can follow up with them and show them OVER THE TOP generosity as a church.

You should send What Happens When You Give to every new donor from your Easter Offering. This book makes the giver feel SO VALUED and super appreciated. It is a great outreach tool for new people in your church.

Preach Better Sermons

March 14, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

After talking to hundreds of pastors, we’ve realized that while preachers love preaching, it’s the preparation that often hurts. So we’re going “behind the scenes” with some of America’s best preachers to find out how they bring great content, week in and week out.

Would you like to hear how Andy Stanley, Perry Noble, Dr. Charles Stanley, Louie Giglio, and Vanable Moody prepare their messages? How would you like to learn communication principles from one of America’s best comedians…Jeff Foxworthy?

All of this happens this Thursday, March 15 at 1pm EST. And best of all, it’s 100% free. Preach Better Sermons is a free, three-hour, online conference focused on helping communicators prepare and deliver messages that matter. Some of the best communicators in the world will unpack these seven preaching principles.

Start with the Scripture.
Keep it simple.
Make it portable.
Show it, don’t just say it.
Find common ground.
Finish early in the week.
Preach with the end in mind.

It’s 100% free, and since it happens online, there are no travel costs. Register for the free event here.

Funded & Free Church Leader Conference

March 13, 2012 in Church Finance & Ministry Money, Financial Campaigns, Online Giving In The Church, Talking About Money With Your Church with 0 Comments

What do the following people have in common?

Perry Noble
Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr.
Casey Graham
Clayton King
Joseph Sangl
Mike Madding

ALL five are tremendous church leaders who have seen their vision become FULLY FUNDED!

AND the great news is that ALL of these great men will be speaking LIVE at the Funded And Free Church Leader Conference in Charlotte, NC on Thursday, April 19, 2012!

Bishop Thomas will be able to share how New Psalmist Baptist Church completed a major building project in the middle of The Great Recession – and continued to see tremendous ministry growth!
Perry Noble will share how NewSpring Church built a youth facility, children’s facility, and launched multiple campuses during 2008 – and continued to pour tremendous amounts of money and resources into missions and outreach!
Mike Madding will be talking about how The Cove Church has been able to equip their people to win financially even in the face of a tremendous economic downturn in their area – and their church has grown by leaps and bounds.
Casey Graham will be sharing how to increase your operational giving through the implementation of proven biblical systems.

You don’t want to miss this one-time only event!

Want even better news? Injoy Stewardship Solutions has partnered with some other great organizations to provide this conference absolutely FREE for church leaders.

Here are the details:

DATE: April 19, 2012
LOCATION: The Cove Church – Mooresville, NC (North Charlotte Area)
TIME: ONE DAY (9AM – 4PM)
COST: $0 (thanks to the kindness of our sponsors!!!!)
FOOD: Provided (and it is free too!)

Space is limited – so register immediately to secure your spot for this amazing day!

Why Most Special Offerings Fail

March 12, 2012 in Online Giving In The Church, Taking Special Offerings & Church Tithing with 0 Comments

Most special offerings that don’t reach their goal fail because of a few things.

1. The goal is wrong

If you truly think the dollar amount is the goal, you always fail. If the goal is about people, you never really fail. I know this is a hard shift to make and believe, but it’s true.

2. You don’t communicate in advance

We provide our GivingRocket.com members with a step by step checklist for communicating a special offering. You can have access to all of these materials this month for $1.

3. You don’t ask people clearly for money

You INFORM people, but you never truly ASK people. At some point, you have to man up and look at your church people in the face and tell them the truth. The truth is, their wallet indicates what they care about and they need to give and give today!

4. You don’t have digital giving options

Most people in your church don’t carry cash or check. It’s unfair to ask them to give without giving them a way. Check out THIS post about digital giving.

The Broke Church Mentality

March 8, 2012 in Church Finance & Ministry Money with 9 Comments

T. Harv Eker wrote a fascinating book that describes the psychological difference between the rich and the poor. Here are a few of the 17 differences he notes:

Rich people believe: “I create my life.” Poor people believe: “Life happens to me.”
Rich people are committed to being rich. Poor people want to be rich.
Rich people think big. Poor people think small.
Rich people focus on opportunities. Poor people focus on obstacles.
Rich people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people.
Rich people choose to get paid based on results. Poor people choose to get paid based on time.
Rich people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.
Rich people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know.

While Eker is clearly addressing individuals, there are some interesting comparisons here that absolutely apply to the church. I am convinced that a TON of churches operate with a BROKE mentality. It’s so much more than the amount of the offering or how much people are giving… it’s a MINDSET.

Broke churches believe their people or their area is different and that’s why giving isn’t good.
Broke churches are content with the status quo.
Broke churches focus on paying the bills and meeting the budget.
Broke churches are always asking for discounts or the church planter special.
Broke churches focus on the amount of last week’s offering.
Broke churches are stuck in react mode.
Broke churches refuse to learn and grow.

I’m talking about an attitude, and it has nothing to do with having more money in the
church bank account. If your church has a broke mentality, guess what…you’re going to
be broke! It’s time to attack that mindset and intentionally install systems that will lead to a
healthy financial culture.

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