ANNUAL CAMPAIGNS #1

 

            It’s that time of year, as we approach Thanksgiving, that most churches have celebrated commitment Sunday. Tying that celebration to Thanksgiving makes a lot of sense. We should be grateful to God for what we’ve received (which, hint, hint, is everything.) Giving back just a portion of what God has blessed us with should be the foundation for our commitment Sundays.

            I want to reinforce, again, the foundation for our giving campaigns. I’ve spoken of it before, but I want to share it again. Some of what I’m sharing came from a workshop by Rev. Ken Sloane, of UMC Discipleship, on Making Annual Campaign Your Own.

            Three Important Basics for Donors:

1.    Believe in mission

2.    Faith and respect for the leader

3.    Transparency in finances

            People give because these three basics are in place. If they’re not, that might explain why your church may be struggling with finances. You should have these in place throughout the year. Be transparent about your finances. And by that, I don’t mean just talk about how you need more money and you can’t pay your bills. I’m talking about where your resources come from and how you spend them. I can guarantee that most people sitting in your pews don’t know and/or don’t understand. Do not share a line item budget; tell the stories of lives changed, or missions served, of compassion, of justice.

            Two Most Important Ideas About Money:

1.    Never talk about people’s money apart from their discipleship

2.    Never talk about church’s money apart from its mission

            Part of our intentional discipleship plans must include generosity. Mature disciples show and experience discipleship through their generosity. We’re not asking people to pay our bills; we’re asking them to be disciples that make disciples and transform the world. Because we’re not asking people to pay the church’s bills, we have to stress that we are asking people to be generous and give to God through the church.

            What is your church called to BE and DO? What is your WHY? Your budget, your generosity, your money should all be centered on the answers to those questions. And once they are, you will be impressed by what God does!

            Next week, I’ll share some additional thoughts on this same topic.

Please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or susanranous@unyumc.org if you’d like to talk about mission and money in your local church. I have some great ideas to help you understand where you are and were you’re going!