April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Oh No! It’s a Sermon on Money

The other day I read a blog post from a pastor that began by stating, “No pastor likes to talk about money, and nobody in the church wants to hear a sermon on money.”  A few days before, I noticed a tweet from a pastor who claimed that he “survived” preaching on money that morning.

While we recognize that many people have abused the subject, we believe it’s time to conquer the fear of talking about money in the church.  I offer these five suggestions.

  1. Don’t apologize for talking about money.  It’s not a necessary evil – it’s an important part of the discipleship process.  Jesus said that people’s hearts and people’s finances were connected.  So when you stand to preach on money, you’re not preaching a money sermon; you’re preaching a discipleship sermon.  Never apologize for asking people to follow Jesus.
  2. Make it normal to talk about money.  People talk about money all of the time, probably EVERYDAY.  It’s time for this to be a normal topic in the church as well.  This means that you need to talk about spending, savings, debt, retirement, and insurance, in addition to giving.
  3. Start talking about money EARLY.  If you’re a church planter, one of the healthiest things you can do in your church is to teach on stewardship and generosity early on.  In fact, talk about generosity with your core group, because what they model will happen on a larger scale.  You’re not going to flip a switch and become a generous church with generous people.
  4. Un-churched people aren’t stupid…they know it takes money to run a church.  Pastors are often afraid to talk about money because we’ve all read the books showing skeptics think the church is all about money.  People who don’t go to church need Jesus, but they are not dumb.  They aren’t offended when they are asked to contribute, and they know it takes money to pay people and operate a facility.  Don’t’ let the fact that you’re reaching skeptics keep you from talking about money.
  5. People do want help with their finances.  For too long, the church has just asked for money from people, yet offered no practical help in the process.  What would happen if you helped your church WIN with their finances?  Would people in your church respect you if you helped them pay cash for a vacation?  Let’s want something FOR people, not just FROM them.

Let Giving Rocket help you have more money for ministry!
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Filed Under: Church Giving, Talking About Money Tagged With: , , ,
April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Are You a Strategic Giver?

Many people like to think of giving as an act of spontaneous worship.  God speaks, we’re moved, and we drop something in the offering plate.  We see a need, our heart is tugged, and we offer to help.  That’s how it works for a lot of people.

And while it’s true that we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and respond to needs as we’re led, there’s another side of the coin that’s equally important.

We need to be strategic givers.

Read Genesis 24 and you’ll find that Abraham planned ahead and sent gifts for Isaac’s future wife.

Read the Christmas story and you’ll find that that the Magi planned ahead and brought expensive gifts with incredible meaning for Jesus.

Isaiah 32:8 says generous people PLAN to do what is generous.

In other words, while we can respond to needs as they arrive, we should PLAN to give.

That’s why I love the phrase Automate the Important.  If generosity is important to you, why not set it up and make it automatic?  Why not do what the Bible teaches and plan ahead?

Filed Under: Digital Giving, Special Offerings, Talking About Money Tagged With: , , , ,
March 27, 2012 By 2 Comments

When Tithing Is Too Much

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.

Filed Under: Talking About Money Tagged With: , ,
March 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Member Success Story

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.

Filed Under: Financial Systems, Talking About Money Tagged With: , ,
March 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Why Are Churches Scared To Take Up An Easter Offering?

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.

Filed Under: Special Offerings, Talking About Money Tagged With: ,
March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Funded & Free Church Leader Conference

 

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!

Filed Under: Digital Giving, Financial Campaigns, Financial Systems, Talking About Money Tagged With: , , ,
February 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Why You Should Do an Easter Offering

I did a quick Google search for churches and special offerings and found a lot of special offerings out there.  I’ve heard of churches doing seven or eight different offerings a year, in addition to their weekly offering.  Here are a few of the special offerings you could do:

  • Summer camp for students
  • Local food shelter
  • Christmas Offering
  • Easter Offering
  • Lottie Moon
  • Annie Armstrong
  • Offering for the Gideons
  • Disaster relief
  • Crisis pregnancy
  • School supplies
  • Winter coats
  • Canned food

If you have a special offering all the time, by definition, they will cease to be special.  

When you emphasize a new giving opportunity all the time, you’re taking the focus off the bread and butter.

We believe that special offerings (like an Easter Offering) are great opportunities to fund special projects and engage new givers.  People new to the church might be more attracted to a cause.

But too many special offerings can be dangerous.

Six days from now, I’m offering a free online event on how to do a special Easter Offering.

You’re going to get a six-step process, in less than 45 minutes, that you can implement this Easter.

Reserve your spot today.  The increase you will have from your Easter offering will make a difference as summer approaches.  Register now.

Filed Under: Special Offerings, Talking About Money Tagged With: ,
February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Missing Ingredient in Most Church Financial Language

If you use numbers to talk about the numbers, you’re leaving behind a ton of people. Most people in your church could care less about spreadsheets and charts and never open Excel.

Yes, information is important. But mind-numbing facts and stats are only going to communicate to the accountants and engineers. If you want to communicate to everyone, you’ve got to tell stories.

• Tell stories of how your church helped provide groceries for a local family in need.
• Talk about how your church has given money to a mission organization to feed the hungry and impoverished children in another country.
• Talk about how your resources have been used to walk hurting and broken families through healing and restoration.

Make sure you tell stories that inspire, encourage and inform people about the things happening in your church. Information is great, but if you combine it with a story, you’ll hit a homerun.

The key is to make sure you communicate that those who are giving to the ministry of the church are directly part of these stories. It gives people a place and point of significance. When people feel significant, they continue to invest!

Filed Under: Follow Up, Talking About Money Tagged With: ,
February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Financial Breathing Room Is Possible By Doing This

Attend our FREE online event entitled: Easter Offering: The Easiest Offering of the Year

The event is offered three times:

• Tuesday, March 6 at 1:00 PM ET
• Wednesday, March 7 at 2:00 PM ET
• Thursday, March 8 at 3:00 PM ET

Less than 45 Minutes + 6 Easy Steps = Financial Breathing Room Before The Summer!

• Six-Step Strategy To Implement The Easiest Offering All Year!

• All Content Delivered In Under 45 Minutes!

Plus, special offerings usually generate more first time givers than any other offerings of the year.  Don’t miss the opportunity.

Register NOW!

Filed Under: Special Offerings, Talking About Money Tagged With: ,
February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Following Up With Givers Isn’t About the Money

Following up with people who give to your church isn’t about providing information, it’s about investing in the discipleship process. People who give do so for a variety of reasons, but it’s important that you help them understand the “why behind the what.”

Aside from a yearly giving statement, there is little if any communication from many churches, about how money given, is advancing the mission.

If you want to know where someone’s heart is, follow the trail of treasure. After all, that’s what Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 say. Giving and stewardship comprised over 26 percent of Jesus’ teaching and is found countless times throughout each book of the Bible. It’s the only area of life in which God actually tells us we can test Him. (Malachi 3:10-11)

So if you overlook this area – this principle – then how can you ever fulfill your calling to equip the saints for every good work? (Ephesians 4:11-12) Simply put, the reason you need to follow up with the givers in your church is the fact that you want them to be mature disciples and followers of Jesus. That can’t happen without the area of stewardship in their life being developed as well. It’s about the person’s heart and not about their money.

Filed Under: Follow Up, Talking About Money Tagged With:
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