5 Things People Need to Know Before they will Give

Your people have questions. And they’re not just about the next children’s ministry event or where to take their canned goods for the food pantry. They have questions about giving – big questions about why they should give and what happens to their money when they give.

As their pastor, it’s your responsibility to make sure they have  answers to these questions. This is an opportunity for you to make sure your people are being guided and encouraged on their generosity journey, all while making sure your God-sized vision for ministry is being funded.

So here are 5 questions your people are likely asking, based on 5 things people need to know before they will give. (Trust me – most of your people are asking at least one of these questions!)

1. CAN I TRUST YOU?
The news is unfortunately frequent with stories of improper use of charitable gifts – the Wounded Warriors Project being the most recent example. People want to give where they know their gifts will be stewarded well. Be transparent. Work to build integrity and trust in your personal leadership, and in those in positions of leadership. Communicate well, and often.

Follow through. Do what you say you are going to do. Don’t ask people to do something you yourself are not doing. (Be an example.) People give to those they can believe in and trust. How have you shown your church is trustworthy in the last six months?

2. WHAT’S THE VISION?
Givers give when the mission of the organization aligns with their passions. Most people aren’t as motivated by need; they give to vision. It’s not about the money, but what the money will accomplish. It’s not about facilities, but the ministry the facilities allow.

Emphasize how lives will be changed, how broken marriages will be mended, how children will come to know Christ, how students will be strengthened to boldly live out their faith, how your church can have an amazing impact on a lost and hurting community. When was your last annual report to your people? How have you communicated your vision in the last six months? How do you communicate vision to those new to your church?

3. WHY SHOULD I GIVE?
Disciple, disciple, disciple. It’s not about what you want from them, it’s about what God wants for them. Teach often on the importance of a generous lifestyle. Jesus did. When was your last teaching on the importance of generosity?

4. HOW WILL MY GIVING MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Connect the dots between the gift and the lives being changed as a result. It’s not about funding a budget – it’s about reaching a lost world for Christ. What differences are you making as a church?

Share stories often, thanking everyone for their generosity which helped make those stories a reality. How and when did you last illustrate the difference generosity is making through your ministry?

5. HOW DO I GIVE AROUND HERE?
Effective offering introductions in worship, an easily found online giving page on your website, and a simple mobile giving solution are vital to an effective stewardship ministry. What giving options do you provide, and how do you communicate them?

Make sure everyone knows the multiple ways your church offers to give. If you have a weakness in your giving strategy, fix it. (And if you haven’t yet downloaded my free e-book on giving technology, get it today!)

Pastor, how are you doing in proactively addressing these questions? Your answers mean a world of difference for how people view giving to support your ministry.

Now that you’ve read through this list and answered a few questions about your church specifically, let’s talk! I’m happy to offer you a FREE one-hour coaching call to answer any questions you might have. Just send me a quick email to rusty@generis.com with the dates and times that work best for you!