Finding C.O.V.I.D. in Your Annual Finance Campaign
As I write this, very few people are sitting in the pews of our faith communities (and won’t be for weeks), and there may be growing angst about the annual fall finance campaign. Sure, we can do the awesome stewardship sermons and watch videos of lay people giving thanks to God for their blessings and how their monetary support helps their church to do God’s work. We can also create awesome slides with lots of information about ways to give and even hold a book study during the campaign.
But will it work? That’s the wrong question.
Stewardship is a year-round opportunity for people to grow in their discipleship by responding to God’s grace in their lives. Stewardship is a means of grace by which people can grow closer to Christ. It is a spiritual discipline just like prayer, study, community, and worship. The annual finance campaign should be part of that year-round experience but in many churches, it is the main event in the ministry area of stewardship and generosity. If you are looking for information about year-round stewardship, contact me and we can talk about the many amazing and life transforming options that are available.
But what about this year? That’s a good question.
Whatever you are doing to fit your ministry context, be sure to include the following. I’ve created an acronym to help you remember these characteristics, COVID.
Celebrate – Now more than ever, it is especially important to celebrate what’s been happening in the life of the church and its people. It will be tempting to talk about reduced giving and higher bills but it’s not about the money. This is a valley moment for many folks but the best soil for growing is found in the valley so celebrate the fruit of this ministry season. Celebrate those Holy Spirit moments! Celebrate pandemic victories as well as realities and talk of answered prayers and new ministries. Things aren’t rosy for everyone and to ignore that will give the appearance of the church being out of touch. Celebrate what was and is being accomplished through their generosity and the additional goals as more financial support comes in.
Obligate – A strange word but it fits. As disciples, generosity – using God’s blessings for the good of others, is an essential part of who we are as children of God. Along with study, worship, and the other spiritual disciplines, the campaign gives people the opportunity to remain consistent in all aspects of their discipleship. Note: Let them decide what God is placing on their hearts for stewardship in the coming year, don’t try to anticipate it for them.
Validate – Figuring out one’s giving percentage (provide a chart for them to figure it out themselves) rather than looking at the amount given, is important. Validate for people the percentage level at which they are giving now and empower people to use that same percentage when figuring their giving for the coming year. This will provide peace for those whose income has dropped this year and a challenge for those who have seen their income grow. You might also challenge them to prayerfully consider taking a percentage step in the coming year and cast the vision of the new ministry and mission that the new funding will provide.
Integrate – Show folks how their commitment to the church will impact God’s Kingdom as well as their local and global neighborhoods. Show pictures, get quotes, have some of the missionaries supported by the United Methodist Church record a short video specifically for your faith community. Tell the stories of God at work in and through your congregation and how their support is impacting lives.
Designate – With prayers during worship, thank you notes via snail mail, and articles in your newsletter, give thanks for all gifts and donors and lift it all to God in prayer and commitment. Be transparent and share how together with God’s blessing the faith community will be living and loving examples of Christ’s love in the year to come.
The truth is that no matter when you hold your annual campaign and whether or not you have formal pledges, these five characteristics are essential in helping your faith community see stewardship as a vital and transforming part of their walk with Christ. If you’ve got questions about stewardship, a capital campaign, or your annual finance campaign, contact me and we’ll schedule a time to connect.