STRENGTHEN YOUR CHURCH’S FINANCES

 

          Did that title get your attention? Maybe you’re thinking that I’m going to share in about a page and half the golden ticket that will help your church survive and thrive during and after a pandemic, and make everything “all better”? Am I right?

          Well, keep reading, and see what I’ve got to say.

          All of us need to strengthen our church’s finances. How do we do that?

·        Be bold about sharing what your church is doing to help people in the church and your community. What are you doing now? Just because our church buildings may be closed or we may have fewer people in the building, we are still the church! Maybe you’re feeding people; maybe you’re teaching people; maybe you’re counseling people; maybe you’re helping people, or maybe you’re…. Fill in the blank and then be BOLD about sharing with others what you’re doing

·        Be able to receive gifts and offerings online. Make it as easy as possible for people to give. Some people are still sending you checks that’s okay. But have some people stopped giving, or have some stopped giving regularly because they’re not in a pew and they’re not seeing those offering plates or baskets? Have a way to give on smart phones, or on your website, or a link on Facebook. There are so many ways to do this. Don’t make it hard for folks to give!

·        Be honest about how the church is doing. No one is going to be surprised if giving is down; but share how you’re managing what you do have wisely. Don’t just continue using funds the way you always have; look at your spending plans; look at your reality, and make the change or changes that you need to make to use those monies well, and then let people know how you’re doing.

 

·        Be bold (yes, I know, I already said that), but it bears repeating. Be bold. If you ask someone and they say no, then they’ve said no. But if you ask, and explain HOW you’re going to use their gifts and show WHAT you’ve already done, then they may say Yes! But…if you don’t even ask, then it’s as good as telling them that their gift isn’t important, and we’re not going to even spend the time to talk with them and ask them. Sorry that you can't just check a box or buy a book; but, together, we can make a difference in our churches and in our communities!

S