Theology of Giving
Language to inspire generosity during Stewardship Campaigns
Theological Language to use for Stewardship + Capital Campaigns
“I do like a man to say to me, “We are trying to raise $4,000,000, and are hoping you may be desirous of giving blank dollars. If you see your way clear to do so, it will be an enormous help and encouragement. You may have it in your mind to give more; if so, we shall be glad.
On the other hand, you may feel you cannot give as much, in view of other responsibilities. If that is the case, we shall understand. Whatever you give after thinking the matter over carefully in the light of the need, your other obligations and your desire to do your full share as a citizen, will be gratefully received and deeply appreciated.”
When you talk to a man like that he is glad to meet you again, and will not take the other elevator when he sees you in the corridor because you backed him to the wall and forced him to give.”
- John D. Rockefeller, Jr, on “The Technique of Soliciting Funds”
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I’ve been fascinated by fundraising, as it tickles a part of my brain I used while self-employed. It was through the generosity of others that I was funded to be a Pastor. My parents supported me during seminary, in particular assisting the heavy costs of my Physical Therapy and medical procedures after a torn ACL. My housing costs and tuition in seminary were covered by the generosity of donors through the PCUSA endowments and my 3 year pastoral residency is funded by the generosity of Austin Seminary’s Donors (the Dickson Family) and donors through St. Charles Ave Presbyterian Church. It took a lot of other people’s money to get me to where I am, and I don’t take one penny of it for granted.
Here are some key takeaways I’ve learned when trying to raise money for a church:
Start always with faith. Giving is a spiritual practice. It's also seen as a discipline of discipleship, helping Christians grow closer to Christ and live out their faith in a tangible way.
Remember, the experience of giving is life affirming and joyous. It feels good to give and share in what God has provided for you.
Giving is a way to acknowledge God's ownership of all things, as we are stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us.
For most people, giving is considered as an afterthought with what leftover budget. Encourage giving to be considered as a vital part of financial planning. Where you give is a testimony to what you truly value.
Much is expected of us, because we are serving God through the money we raise.
Stewardship Committee Members (and Pastors!) have to fully believe in the congregation with confidence that the church and its members are worthy of the funds being raised.
Stewardship is not about money, it is about relationships and how we live out our commitment to Christ.
If you’re a church elder/ pastor be seen giving! Even if it’s putting a few bucks on the offering plate. Be a visual giver whenever there is an opportunity.
Know the mission of your church by heart and speak to it freely.
Set a goal/ vision/ mission and be clear. Make sure everyone is on the same page about why fundraising is important. Paint a clear picture… perhaps even meet with the finance committee and listen in on actual costs of the church and review the newly released 2024 Strategic plan. It costs a lot to operate a building in New Orleans, and to maintain staff of this size. We are called as Christians to ensure our staff is paid fairly, with access to affordable healthcare. We are called as Christians to ensure our children and youth have a safe space to learn about Christ throughout the week. We are called as Christians to spread the Good News of the Gospel by supporting the poor, sick, lonely, hungry and incarcerated through our commitments to our global and community partnerships which rely on us to continue their work. We are called as Christians to worship together as the Body of Christ, to provide funerals for the departed, to be a space of respite for the bereft, to maintain a safe and welcoming facility to our community. We are called as Christians to host 150 members of AA on Friday evenings, to share our building with Nova Chorale, STAIR, and the SCAPC Nursery School which provides affordable and Christian-focused care for young children, or the Aden Program which supports 10 members of the New Orleans community who have dementia and their caretakers. All of these wonderful ministries (and many, many, many more) are line items in our annual budget.
Know the giving stats of your congregation: X amount of members, X amount of households, X amount of annual households that pledge, age demographics. Percentages of monthly givers on automatic payments, etc.
Churches benefit greatly (and survive some challenging times) because of the gifts of saints who have gone before us through our Visionary Fund. When talking about ways of giving, work with the pastoral staff, church admins/treasurers to set up legacy giving, review policy of giving (land/houses/stocks) and memorial gifts that the church can accept. Make sure stewardship is versed in on these as well as the financial committee. Make this information easy for people to find who are setting up their wills, or who are considering leaving substantial gifts upon their passing. Endowments truly are the backbone of institutional stability.
Work with church admins, not against. Make sure there are internal controls to protect church finances. Support your church admins especially during stewardship season and consider treating them to lunch after as a thank you. Stewardship season is especially taxing on those who are intaking pledges and keeping records.
Most of the money from any campaign comes from 5-10 percent of donors and happens with face to face asks. Some donors need to be called, or invited to lunch. Some want to give anonymously, some want to give and have their names attached, some want to give online, at the end of year or front load their giving at the beginning of the year. Let donors set time and space for meetings if appropriate. Make it easy to receive their gifts in whatever form is comfortable to them and within reason.
It’s ok to have face to face with larger donors. In fact, it’s a good idea. Don’t be afraid to bring another stewardship member or person that might connect well with you.
Make your vision feel possible. Invite donors to be a part of the church mission.
“We have a vision in our church that is exciting, and we are inviting you to invest yourself in this work.”
You are asking on behalf of the church (not yourself).
Most people won’t give unless they are asked. Here are some ideas for asking:
“I would like to invite you to consider a gift of (how much) for (specific purpose).
Understand motivators for giving in each person (ex: family legacy/in memory of, or perhaps giving because their child is active in youth program, or Young Adult who is active in YAF, etc.
For face to face meetings, let the person being asked set the path for giving (scene of meeting/time)
Our personal annual giving budget is a theological document. The church budget is a theological document.
Consider working with the membership committee to find a soft way to include new members to be aware of what stewardship season is and possibilities of ways they can begging giving to the church to support the Church’s evangelistic vision of spread Christ’s love in the world.
Teach congregation about tithes and offerings through newsletters, year round education slipped into regular liturgy/worship/or occasionally in newsletters. Giving looks different for every household, and there is no shame to be attached for those who cannot afford to give. But many who can afford to give, choose not to. And that should be carefully and respectfully explored.
Education to the congregation is key. Terms to start using: Tithing is 10% of annual income (Perhaps after tax is applied?)- offerings/ gifts are separate from tithing. Pledging is not exactly tithing, unless you tithe 10%. Pledging is your annual financial commitment that ensures the church you have today is around for your family tomorrow.
Annual pledges during stewardship season are vital to the health of our church and to our church’s commitments in our community and to our future generations of Christians. If we don’t have a budget for the next year, we cannot continue our ministry work. We rely on the generosity and commitment of our membership to sustain the work of Christ in New Orleans.
Invite those who may not have much to give to consider giving small portions they are comfortable with. I’ve used the cup of coffee idea with young adults before, but “Would you consider sacrificing your Sunday morning Starbucks each week this year to help provide for the costs of our church?” $35/month = $420. Or, even small amounts- $5 a month= $60, but it begins the habit of giving… which is important psychologically. You can ask givers to increase their donation year to year to help cover inflation.
Keep your relationships alive even after you get a no. This year may not be the best year for a donor to give, or they may have other financial commitments, maybe they are waiting for you to cast a vision with their money that reaches their spirit. Stay engaged, send birthday cards. Be thoughtful, within reach, without applying pressure or expectation of financial commitment.
Ask givers to consider covering costs of bank transaction fees (around 3%) when they give online.
After you ask someone to consider giving, sit in silence. Let them speak first. It may feel awkward. Don’t fill that silence with small talk. Let them respond.
Follow up with thank you cards, certain givers may expect thank yous from the Head of Staff- so work with the pastors.
You’ve been asked to be on stewardship because people give to people. The Session nominating committee trusts you with this incredibly important work of our church. Think about your own story to share with people when asking them to consider a pledge. Why and how has the church been important to you?
*Additional Recommended Reading:
Henri Nouwen : The Spirituality of Fundraising
John. D. Rockefeller’s Speech on Giving: :https://www.goettler.com/2014/10/13/the-technique-of-soliciting/
Bible Verses around Giving:
2 Corinthians 9:7- Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver
Matthew 6:2- “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Deuteronomy 15:11 - For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
1 Corinthians 13:3 - If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing
Proverbs 11:24 - One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want