Your Why
75% of people do this before they give to an organization.
As part of a survey of modern givers, Barna asked, “Before you financially support an organization/charity, do you research it first?”
75% said yes.
When asked where they primarily do their research, respondents answered:
On the organization’s website (39%)
Viewing their organization ratings (20%)
Talking to close family or friends (14%)
Social media (e.g., Facebook) (7%)
Visit the organization/charity in person (7%)
Talking to a pastor or religious leader (4%)
None of these (8%)
Why—in restarting this Serving Churches blog with a series on giving—would I share this single 75% statistic with you? Because we have opportunities in every worship service—if we will use them—and in every church communication (mail, email, social media, text)—if we will use them.
We’ve got amazing advantages over every other organization—if we will use them.
To do one simple thing.
Our church members, regular attenders, and guests, should never have to research. They should never have to wonder. They should never have to guess. We should tell them.
One simple thing. Every single time.
Your why.
If you want to increase giving in your church, always tell your why.
Your why will be slightly different given the ministry or event. Examples include the following.
Emailing about children’s ministry, add a phrase like, “This is one more way we seek to lead girls and boys to eternal life in Jesus.”
Social media post about a special event, add a line like, “We host fun events like this so that you can bring friends to learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus.”
Preaching a sermon, you can be specific about the purpose of your church that best illustrates that text. “What we learn in this scripture is the very reason we have the ministry of…”
Sharing an offering talk, your why is exactly what you are doing. “Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings. Your giving makes _______ ministry possible by providing ________ resources. Thank you again.” (Subscribe to learn more about offering talks in subsequent posts.)
Before you know it, telling your why will have become habit. You’ll be constantly connecting the dots between faith and practice when you tell your why.
And when you tell your why regularly, your church members will be more confident in their giving. They won’t wonder, “Why do I give?” Or “Where does my giving go?” Or “What difference does my giving make?” They’ll know all your whys.
Always tell your why.
“If you want to increase giving in your church, always tell your why.”
Thanks for joining us, Reader. Please subscribe and share! This is the first post in my Generous Giving series.
For four posts on The Great Dechurching, start here.
For three posts on Welcoming Guests, start here.