church stewardship summit

CHURCH STEWARDSHIP SUMMIT“Growing Church Giving in Today’s Economy

Highland Baptist Church, Louisville

Today’s Presenters:

Jeff Ashley & Mark Rountree Dr. Joe Phelps Kate Bringardner Dr. Tom Grieb Hollis L Searcy Dr. Steve McSwain

Dr. Steve McSwainToday’s Agenda– Introductions – 10:00 to 10:05– Presenter Steve McSwain 10:05 till 10:40– Presenter Joe Phelps 10:40 to 11:20– Brief Break 11:20 to 11:30– Presenter Kate Bringardner 11:30 to 12:15– Lunch 12:15 to 12:40 (Brief Presentation by Steve)– Presenter Hollis Searcy 12:45 till 1:30– Presenter Tom Grieb 1:35 till 2:15– Summit Dissmisses 2:15PM

Creating a Generous CongregationFour Questions…

1. What’s the state of giving in today’s church?2. Why is giving less than it should be?3. What are common myths about giving?4. How might we create a more generous church?

1. What’s the state of giving?• Not what it could be but

better than it might be…• Fewer and fewer are giving

more and more • In today’s eco-climate, most

churches have experienced a 5% to 15% decline in giving

2. Why is giving less than it should be?

• A “Missing” Theology

• Fundraising as PROCLAMATION & INVITATION

• Fundraising as a call to CONVERSION

When there’s little credibility, there’s little GIVE-ABILITY.

• People don’t follow worthy causes; they follow worthy leaders.

• The leader IS the vision.

• Wrong Question: “Do you think people will buy into my vision?” Right question: “Do people buy into you?”

• If you don’t ask, you don’t get

Information – Invitation = Informed Members

Information + Invitation = Informed & Involved Members

Information + Invitation + Inspiration = Informed, Involved & Inspired Members

The “3” Keys

• If you ask the same way, you get the same results

The Annual Pledge Drive Budget for New Year Approaches Pledge Drive Committee Appointed Conduct the Pledge Drive Complete the Pledge Drive Everyone Breathes a Sigh of Relief Report the Results of the Drive

Total Pledged # of Pledging Households Occasionally, we report “Average” Pledge

Giving in Most Churches Today

No Giving/Token Giving $0-$500Leadership Giving $8k-upFaithful Giving $2k-$8kModest Giving $500-$2k

50%

20%

25%

5%

BPATG “Benevolent & Protective Association of Token Givers” – Ashley Hale

When Reporting Pledges…

If You RECOGNIZE the BEST, the BEST will MOTIVATE the REST

What’s Wrong w/this Letter?Dear ___________:

As a pastor it has been my custom to send a financial contribution to everyone registered in the parish.

I count on the support of our parishioners to insure the good work and the service of the parish. Our records indicate that this past year you were not able to support the parish. Perhaps this is due to an oversight, or changing family situations. I ask that each of our families take seriously their obligation to assist the parish. I ask God to bless you and your family, and I look forward to your support in this new year of 2012. Sincerely yours, Rev. Msgr. _______________

2. Why is giving less than it should be?

• A “Missing” Theology.• If you don’t ask, you don’t get.• If you ask the same way, you get the same results.• Many feel the return isn’t worth the investment.• Act of giving is only rarely modeled.• A deficit in generosity typically means there’s a

deficiency of grace (LUKE 7:36ff)

• Deficit in giving typically means there is a deficiency in grace. (see Luke 7:36ff)

“If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

“THE FORGIVEN are FOR – GIVING!”

3. What are common myths @ giving?

• Myth 1 = “Give and you’ll get rich!”

• Myth 2 = “I can’t afford to give!”

• Myth 3 = “Equal and fair share giving is enough!”

• Myth 4 = “The standard is the tithe!”

• Myth 5 = “Get them involved and they will give!”

• Myth 6 = “Giving is a private matter!”

• Myth 7 = “Test God through your giving!”

One of the More Common Myths@ GIVING…

Giving should bedone in secret.

• Giving is supposed to be done in secret.

“Let your good deeds shine out for all to

see…”

Matthew 5:16

“Don’t do your good deeds publicly…”

Matthew 6:1-4

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues…But, when you pray…shut the door

behind you…pray to your Father in private.”

Matthew 6:5ff

“The higher the level of secrecy the lower the level of giving.”-- Michael Durall, Creating Congregations of Generous People

4. How might we create a more generous congregation?

• The role of the leaders.• The necessity of asking.• Replace the Pledge Drive with a culture of

generosity.• Teach generosity or growth in giving, not

tithing.• Tie growth in Christian giving to growth in

Christian living.• Know the top 20% of your giving households

intimately and thank them frequently.

The Role of LeadersA More Generous Church

• The “7 to 1” Rule

• Annual Giving Assessment

1. Leaders must know the culture of giving in their church.

• “3” Rules of Thumb

• The Role of Leaders.

2. Leaders must model giving.

a. You’ll have greater respect.

b. You’ll silence the critics.

• The Role of Leaders.3. Leaders must talk about giving.

4. Leaders must reveal their giving.

5. Leaders must know/show how thechurch’s mission and vision arechanging lives.

6. Leaders must know who’s giving, who isn’t,and who’s giving is changing.

7. Leaders must thank the top 20% regularly.

Annual Pledge Drive St. John’s Episcopal Church

A number of our parish families are committed to giving 10% of their net

or gross income to the church. I/we will join them. Therefore, our pledgefor the coming year will be: $_______________.

I/we plan to continue growing toward the objective of 10% of household

income. For now, our pledge for the coming year will be: $_________ I/we pledge $100 per month to the church, or $1200 for the year.__ (Check

here if applicable). I/we pledge to give $________ per month to the church for a yearly total

amount of $__________.

Name: _________________________________________ (Please Print)Address:___________________________________ (City:________________)Phone: ________________________Email:____________________________

Signature:________________________________________

For More InformationContact Dr. Steve McSwain

Consultant Ashley/Rountree

SMcSwain@AshleyRountree.com502-777-9426502.244.5835

Giving Up in a Down Economy

1. Think Differently2. Study Givers and Giving3. Do Your Theology4. Impact of Leaders5. Embrace Special Campaigns6. Decide @ Electronic Giving7. Prioritize Donor Relationships8. Agree on and Execute a Strategy

If You and Your Church Would Like More Info RegardingGIVING GROWTH COACHING

GIVING GROWTH WORKSHOP FOR LEADERSCall Steve McSwain at 502-777-9426