Here’s a story we received recently from GivingRocket.com member, Scott Sparks.  Scott is the Lead Pastor at The Grove in Knoxville, TN.

 ”You guys are doing an incredible job with resources this year.  We’ve been with Giving Rocket for less than a year and we have begun several healthy practices that we have gotten from you guys - quarterly giving statements, offering intros, first time giver letter/notes, and connecting with significant givers.  Our giving has increased over 30% from last fall to this spring.

The Atlanta Giving Rocket Tour was excellent.  I made the trip with our executive pastor.  It generated lots of great conversation and action steps for us.  Thanks for everything your team is doing, especially the care you show toward pastors and your focus on discipleship.

As a pastor I have struggled with finding a comfortable place and rhythm when talking about money.  I am starting to find that with the resources that you guys are providing.  

Thanks Casey and thanks to your team.”

Scott Sparks

This FIRES ME UP!

One dollar is all it takes to gain access to resources that will transform the way you communicate and think about money.  You have nothing to lose.  Sign up today!

We just wrapped up another month, and as I look back on all the stuff we delivered to our members, it’s incredible. This year, we made the decision to pour into members by giving them access to everything we have. It’s the year of the member! Here’s a list of everything we delivered:

• Video, audio and eBook on The Giver Follow Up System
• A money back guarantee giving flyer, sample giving envelopes, first time giver
  letters, first time giver email, quarter giving letters, email to all contributors, email
  promoting digital giving, pledge follow up letter, card promoting online giving
• Video from Bob Franquiz on how he follows up with people at Calvary Fellowship
• Video interview with Michael Robison from UnCommon Church
• Three follow up letters (first time gift, online gift, big gift)
• Four brand new Giving Talks

We also answered a ton of email and met a bunch of members on the Giving Rocket Tour.

Incredible month!

In the coming months, we’re talking about digital giving, how to talk about money, how to
do a financial initiative and more. You can try Giving Rocket for $1.

Have you heard about Preach Better Sermons, a FREE online event with Andy Stanley, Dr. Charles Stanley, Louie Giglio, Perry Noble, Jud Wilhite, Vanable Moody and Jeff Foxworthy.  It’s happening on March 15 from 1-4 EST.  All of these communicators will be sharing practical information on preparation and delivery, all to help you become a better communicator.

Check out this short video with Jeff Henderson and Jeff Foxworthy, and be sure to register for the event.

Jeff Foxworthy Wants You to Preach Better Sermons from Preaching Rocket on Vimeo.

On any given Sunday, there are people in the congregation who WILL support your church financially and those who WILL NOT.  But it’s not quite so black and white.  Every church actually has FIVE types of givers.

1. Many people don’t give at all.  Some studies show this is actually MOST of the people in your church.   You need an intentional strategy to engage this large group of people.
2. Some people give a “tip,” based on how much they have with them at the moment, or based on an extraordinary financial event in their life.   You need an intentional strategy to help this group of people make a consistent commitment.
3. The consistent giver gives a specific percentage on a regular basis.  This group of people needs two very specific things from you:  communication and information.
4. The extravagant giver gives over and above the normal amount.  We call these high-capacity givers, and we’ve got a whole system to help you disciple this group of people.
5. Some people used to give, but for one reason or another have stopped.  This could signify a big event that constitutes a reason to step in and provide pastoral care.

If you’re a Giving Rocket member, we’re giving you specific coaching this month on how to engage each of these types of givers.

Our friends at SecureGive are all about making giving as easy as possible, and with their latest new feature releases, giving just got even better and even easier!

ACH is a great way for people to give using their check routing and bank numbers. This way people can have the funds taken directly out of their account in the same manner as if they had written a check!

Here are 4 Advantages ACH offers over writing a check:

• The giver can set up recurring giving (Automatic beats faithful every time!)
• Donation is deposited automatically (Does not require a church employee to process the check)
• Donation can be made at the donor’s convenience
• Paperless – Let’s go green this year!

To get started click *HERE* to receive the ACH add-on for free for the next 7 days!

Email Stu Baker (Stu@securegive.com) to learn more! Hurry, this offer won’t last long!

The most irrelevant time of most church services is when the plate is passed.

And it’s not because unchurched people don’t know what’s happening.  It has nothing to do with HOW you ask people to participate.  Those things are important, but the reason your offering is irrelevant is most people don’t have cash or checks.

You’re asking them to participate, but it’s literally impossible for them to do so.  We’re living in a cashless society, and it’s about time the church realized this.

The old rule of fundraising involved passing a plate and asking people to make on-the-spot donations.  This way of fundraising is broken, because the offering time is irrelevant to most people.  The new rule goes digital.

Your church might offer online giving, but that’s not enough.  You’ve got to emphasize it.  In fact, it’s time that you make digital the default!

I know you’ve got questions.  You’re wondering how to deal with people who worship Jesus by placing a physical check in a physical offering plate.  You’re wondering if a kiosk in the lobby is going to alienate people.  You’ve got a finance team worried about fees and charges.

In 2012, we can help you with all of that.  We can to teach you the new rule and we can give you a step-by-step plan to make it happen.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

1. Become a Giving Rocket member today.  You get a trial for $1, and after that, it’s $99 a month.  I promise you this – if you apply the stuff we teach you for the next 12 months, you’ll see an increase.  And if you don’t, we’ll simply give you your money back.
2. Sign up for the Giving Rocket Tour.  We’re going to talk about digital giving in person.  It’s a free, one-day event happening in 9 cities.  Pick the city near you and sign up now.

In 8 days, we kick off the first ever Giving Rocket Tour.  We’re traveling to nine cities, and stopping at nine churches to teach you the NEW RULES OF CHURCH FUNDRAISING.

This event is completely free, and we’re even providing lunch.  Over the course of several hours, we’re going to give you a TON of help so 2012 can be a great year in your church.  I can’t wait to meet some of our members, and I can’t wait to serve you.

You can still register for the tour.  Bring three people from your team and come say hi.

One of my goals in 2012 is to read 100 books.  A lot of people have made resolutions and want to stick with them this year. I wanted to recommend a book and offer you a chance to get a free copy.

My friend Richie Hughes has written a lot of great books, but this one is super applicable to starting out the new year and making good choices.

You can get a free copy of Start Here, Go Anywhere.

Here’s how:

1. Post or tweet the following: “Poor choices in the past do not destroy your future potential to do great things http://amzn.to/pTsPfr”

2. Leave us a comment below that you did it

3. We’ll pick the top 10 winners next Wed, Jan 25 and let you know if you’re on of them and get you a free copy sent to you.

Check out this 5-star review: “A MUST READ!!!!! No matter what you are faced with, in whatever capacity – we all have choices to make… big or small. This book helps capitalize on the importance of every single choice and re focusing on not just the present moment of making a decision, but the long term effect that it has as well. No matter what choices have been made up until now, it’s not too late to turn around and begin making better choices with a better perspective and mindset.”

Does Giving Rocket really work? Yes, but it’s a system not a silver bullet.  Churches who stick with it and apply what we teach regularly see an increase in giving.  Like going to the gym, a few weeks isn’t going to accomplish much…you’ve got to stick to it.  You can try it for $1.