Church Giving Doesn’t Have To Feel Like Schoolyard Bullying

Your church is not literally holding parishioners upside down, collecting their falling lunch money in the offering plate. Bullying is the last thing on your mind as you pass the plate during Sunday service. But are your members truly giving cheerfully, or are they giving because they feel they have to?

You want the people in your church body to feel encouraged to give — but not forced or coerced. It is a delicate balance that, if mastered, can grow membership and help increase giving to your church. Read on to learn how you can ensure that your fundraising is viewed in a positive light by your members.

Bullies Take Money For No Reason

Bullies generally don’t have a plan for the money they take from other children. They don’t take it because they need to buy school supplies. They do it to exert power over other kids.
As a church, you couldn’t have less in common with a bully. You absolutely have a purpose for every donation that comes in. But do your members know where their money goes?

One way to make your church members more cheerful in their giving is to show them how you will use it. Contextualize your church giving with storytelling. Show examples of what their offerings will do for the community, both inside and outside of the church.

Make Church Giving a Choice

Another way to make your church giving a positive experience is to always give your parishioners a choice. Bullies aren’t so kind, right? They take what they want to take, regardless of what the victim wants. Your church can take the opposite approach. Emphasize that giving is an act of worship. Members should enjoy giving, and they should know that even if they don’t give financially, they are still a welcome and appreciated presence in your church.

Donors will give more often — and in higher amounts — if they are doing so of their own volition.

Bullies Don’t Care About People’s Feelings

Bullies aren’t concerned with how people feel. If anything, they enjoy bringing people down. But your organization does not want to actively harm or discourage its members; you simply want them to participate in church giving. The last thing your church giving strategy should do is cause parishioners to leave your church.

Make it clear that you have your members’ best interests at heart. If you have parishioners who are having a hard time financially, show them that it is okay for them to step away from giving while they get things sorted out. When your members understand how much your church cares about them, they will be more likely to show up on a regular basis — and be excited to give when they are able.