Stories – Part Four – Finding Generosity Stories: How Giving Impacts the Giver
CommunicationIn general, people genuinely wish they could give more, but—out of fear or pride—they just can’t see how. Hearing compelling stories of how other people overcame those obstacles can unleash people’s generous spirits!
Share your own story.
Be honest about your own struggles with generosity.
Talk about how you made the decision to tithe.
Share how trusting God with your finances has impacted you on a personal and spiritual level. (You do trust God with your finances. Right?)
Ask your staff and leaders to share their stories, too.
Despite what you might think, your church family doesn’t know your stories. Moreover, they want to know that you’re not asking them to do anything you haven’t already wrestled with. Your leadership’s stories will encourage and challenge others into a lifestyle of generosity!
Send letters frequently.
Send letters to first-time givers and invite them to share why they decided to give.
Get monthly reports.
Ask for a monthly report of people whose giving has increased by a certain percentage over a certain period of time. (GASP! Yes, pastors, it’s okay for you to know that kind of information.) Make personal calls thanking those families for their faithfulness, ask why they decided to accelerate their generosity, and ask what they’re experiencing as a result.
Finally, pray for God to lead you to people with stories HE wants to be heard. He’s changing lives, and He wants to change more. He may be more excited by your new story-telling culture than you are.
About Rusty Lewis
As a church leader, there’s nothing more frustrating than not having the funding to do what God’s calling you to do. But when you think about trying to address that problem, you feel overwhelmed, you dread the potential pushback from your congregation, and you’re not sure where to turn for help. Over the last 18 years, I’ve helped more than 120 churches close the gap between their current financial reality and what they need to move forward in ministry.