Church Giving: The rules have changed

“ People no longer give to the church simply because it is the church. The church must prove it is worthy of donations through the mark it leaves on the world.” -- George Barna

Americans spent nearly twice as much on first-day sales of the video game “Grand Theft Auto IV” as the SBC and the IMB would need to share the Gospel with all the world’s unreached people groups by 2010. -- Empty Tomb

Charitable donations as measured by per capita giving of disposable income has remained the same since 1967 – 2.5%. -- Giving USA

“ At least one out of five American Christians – 20 percent of all U.S. Christians – gives literally nothing to church, para-church, or nonreligious charities.” -- Passing the Plate

What does this mean?

The individualistic, independent American Spirit has influenced our perspective on church giving. Churches risk losing the funding necessary to carry forward the work it has been given to do.

What’s our next move?

The Church can’t fail.

There is no “Plan B.”

Our next move is to understand… the view from the pew.

The habits of giving begin with the worldview of the giver.

Two shifts have taken place within American Christianity.

Critical Shift #1
The tithe is no longer solely reserved for the church.

In 1995, there were 600,000 nonprofit organizations and 370,000 churches. In 2005, there were over 1.8 million nonprofit organizations and 370,000 churches.
-- Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate

The Church is a nonprofit organization that exists through the donations of its membership.

Critical Shift #2
Christians want their tithe to count.

Before change can take place, we need to agree on a few principles.

Churches have an advantage over every other nonprofit: weekly interaction with membership.

Churches are the WORST at capturing the dollar and fail to consistently provide a “call to action.”

If churches continue to be silent, the giving levels needed to operate this complex organization
will not exist.

Giving is an outward sign of an inward commitment. Measuring giving is one way to measure the health of your church and your membership.

Church giving is connected to your ministry plan. People want to support a cause or organization that accomplishes something they can’t do on their own.

The more we remain silent with respect to the subject of money in the church, the more likely someone else’s budget will be funded.

What’s your plan of action?

Establish a systematic strategy.

Start talking about it.

Set expectations.

Make the ask.

Measure and report the results.

“ Funding a Sustainable Ministry”
Ben Stroup
Twitter: @ben_stroup
Facebook: Ben Stroup
Web: benstroup.com

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Church Giving: The rules have changed

by Ben Stroup on Nov 23, 2009

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