The fall is an important time for launching new ministries or creating momentum for almost every church. Even if your church didn’t experience much of a summer giving slump, the truth is that churches need to cultivate generosity because it takes money to do ministry all year long.
Your role goes way beyond managing income and expenses. Through the lens of church finances you help your leaders see the evidence of discipleship, maturity, and commitment to the calling of your church.
It’s the end of July. That means that the impact of summer is in full swing. For many churches, that means a dip in attendance and most times, giving. Or what we refer to as the summer giving slump.
Many Americans are experiencing 'donor fatigue'. According to many experts, a proliferation of new nonprofits over the past 30 years has led to more competition than ever for our charitable dollars. Many churches are left struggling to find a solution for funding their own church and projects because people are giving to many worthy organizations in addition to the church. You know the tithes and offerings you receive every week are crucial to funding your mission, and if your church wants to continue to grow and reach your community, your members need to understand it too.
A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with my friend Jeff Gott, the executive VP of WaterStone. During our conversation, we discussed how many churches often miss opportunities to cultivate generosity in Christians in a way that translates into increasing their capacity for ministry.