 |
|
|
| |
Inviting Christian Donors to Cross a Threshold
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
Christians need to learn the blessings of generous Christian giving. Most church goers have no idea of what serious Christian giving is about. A few have learned very well and both shoulder the load for others and give generously to community causes as well. Generous Christian giving is an important spiritual journey meant for the whole community.
Many churches emphasize the tithe. Some, we suspect, enforce the tithe by negative motivations. How do we positively motivate people towards serious Christian giving?
Whatever practical targets we set for our teaching, we need to be sensitive towards those that have inadequate incomes or large debts. The target should honestly be an "invitation to consider". "No", or "not yet", must always be received as acceptable responses to requests for giving, and leaders should make that known.
One standard to consider is four figure giving as an appropriate threshold for those with full employment incomes. The threshold is simply a recommended starting point. Perhaps, those who are on fixed incomes and small pensions or are facing debt loads would consider half of that as a start. On the other hand, many of your donors may already exceed the starting point. Four figure giving is easier to achieve if it is done by commitment, regularly and consistently.
The most effective way to invite people across the threshold is with a well planned narrative case, and with a sensitive volunteer visiting, presenting, and "asking the donor to consider". People who are giving sacrificially and have already passed the threshold can be excluded from the program. In fact, many of them might make ideal visitors. The aim of a good visitation program will be not only to increase the givings, but most importantly, to expand the donor base.
Once the donor base has been expanded, it will be important to maintain donor confidence by informing them about what their givings have achieved in terms of Christian education, pastoral care, outreach, evangelism and ministry.
Item 62
See Also EPL # 32
©2004 Ronald C. Ferris
... back to "Resources for effective parish leadership" main page
|
|
|
 |
