11 WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUR CHURCH - PART 5

 

            We are in the fifth week sharing about the VANCO stewardship booklet on the 11 Ways to support stewardship for your church. This week, we are discussing Recurring Giving. Of course, for many of us, online giving wasn’t a “thing” until COVID, and it was one of the limited ways people could easily continue to give. Some people that gave electronically during COVID stopped doing it when they returned to worship. Recurring giving is a different want of looking at this.

Why recurring giving:

1.    It is easy to set up recurring gifts.

2.    Automatic giving helps churches and non-profits. Why? Monthly givers donate 440% more over their lifetime than one-time givers; monthly donors repeat giving a rate of 90% while the average giver only repeats their giving 46%; recurring givers make additional one-time gifts 75% more often than one-time givers

What can churches get from recurring giving:

1.    More predictable giving – it is set up to happen automatically, so forgetting a checkbook or money doesn’t affect the giving.

2.    More thoughtful giving – givers make a commitment that continues unless it is cancelled by the giver.

3.    More convenience for givers – carrying cash isn’t as much a thing anymore as it used to be, and many people don’t carry a checkbook either.

4.    Recurring giving over the summer – Whether a giver attends church during the summer, or goes on vacation, the recurring gifts still continue.

5.    Simplified giving for a virtual ministry – some of our folks watch from vacation homes or other areas; with recurring giving, they don’t have to remember to write a check or find a way to give; it’s already happening.

So promote recurring giving. Church leaders should be leading the giving! Have them talk about how easy it is, and what it means to the church. Be specific about how often a gift can happen. Explain what the giver gets from setting up recurring gifting (don’t have to remember to bring a checkbook, or mail from vacation, or “catch up” gifts after returning from vacations). The tradition of the offering plate is still important. Print up some electronic giving cards that give people a way to “put something in the plate” even though they have already taken care of their gift. Be persistent about the ask and thank people. Thank people during the offering time. Passing around the offering plate or talking about a basket in the back of the church can make recurring givers feel left out. Thank them (it’s another chance to remind others that recurring giving is a “thing”.

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.

 

           11 WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUR CHURCH #4

 

            For the fourth week sharing about the VANCO stewardship booklet on the 11 Ways to support stewardship for your church. This week, we are discussing Online Giving. For many of us, online giving wasn’t a “thing” until COVID, and it was one of the limited ways people could easily continue to give.

 

There are multiple ways to “do” online giving:

      Online Giving Pages – This is often done through the church’s website. It should be as easy as the click of a button. Not only does this make it easier to give, but, if set up well, it will also provide a list of funds available for giving. Pictures and the story behind each fund is helpful for those who may not be familiar with the different funds that the church has. Two thing I hope you take away from this, if nothing else, is (a) give information about what people are giving to. Telling the stories is motivating to givers! (b) make it as easy as possible to give online. If people have to search on how to give and where to click, they may give up.

      Mobile app giving – This is an app givers have downloaded onto their phone. I don’t know about you, but my phone is usually with me. If I am sitting at church or worshipping virtually, or hear about something that a church is doing, or lives being changed because of the church, I want to be able to give that gift right away. An online app is a good way to do that. Many apps have other information as well, including calendars, etc. Having a QR code available in every pew or in the bulletin or posted in the chat/message box of online worship can make it even easier for those who haven’t downloaded the app!

      Text Giving – This is quick and easy (just like a QR code). Someone texts a 5 or 6 digit code and the giving is that easy!

      Review what you have currently for online giving and how it is set up. Can people access it easily and give easily? Test it! Are you providing enough information for people to text, or download apps or understand online giving? Are you utilizing all of the parts of your online giving program so that you are getting the most out of it, as well as your people getting the most out of it?

Test your online giving if you have it or set it up if you do not!!

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.

 

             11 WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUR CHURCH #3

 

            For the third week sharing about the VANCO stewardship booklet on the 11 Ways to support stewardship for your church. We are continuing Fundraising. Last we talked about fundraising guidelines, and this week will we discuss fundraising ideas. Vanco gives a very long list of ideas. Some may work; and some may not. I have removed the couple that focus on raffles which shouldn’t be occurring in our United Methodist Churches

1.    Apparel Sales and Bookstore – this really only makes sense if you already are doing this.

2.    Music Performances – Top music artists may be expensive, but there may be many talented people in your area and even in your church.

3.    Ministry Challenges – Not just about raising money but creating community as different ministries “compete” against each other.

4.    Church Cafe – Some churches have large cafes, but some just have pastries and coffee and fruit drinks available. What if this time to gather and visit before or after services also raised some funds for the church’s ministries?

5.    Conferences – Does your church do something or have important knowledge that could be shared with others?

6.    Bake Sales and chicken dinners – You may have excellent cooks and bakers that can use their gifts to help support the church.

7.    Church Garage Sale – do you have items around the church that you may want to get rid of and someone may want?

8.    Arts and Crafts Sales – do you have talented crafters in your congregation?

9.    Buy a Brick – this is a way to raise funds for a large building or stained glass window project.

10. Giving Tuesday – The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is know as Giving Tuesday. Do you participate in it?

11. Festivals – ways to meet new people in the neighborhood and have fun!

12. Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Egg Decorating Contests and selling Easter Candy and chocolates – may ways to raise money around Easter.

13. Design and Sell Your Own Custom T-shirts- is there something about your church that could be designed onto a custom t-shirt and sold to members and others?

I’m sure you have many other ideas too! Have you tried any?

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.