{"id":32241,"date":"2022-09-10T16:01:53","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-tips-to-grow-generosity-in-your-church\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:01:53","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:01:53","slug":"5-tips-to-grow-generosity-in-your-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-tips-to-grow-generosity-in-your-church\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Grow Generosity in Your Church"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Mark Dance<\/em><\/p>\n

Building a culture of generosity in a church takes a lot of intentional effort. In my three decades of pastoral experience, I\u2019ve found there are no real secrets or shortcuts to nurturing generosity.<\/p>\n

There are, however, a few helpful tips I\u2019ve picked up along the way that I want to share with you.<\/p>\n

1. Connect vision to giving.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Money flows from vision, and the lead pastor is the vision-caster. Throughout the year, focus on providing stewardship sermons and group lessons and allow faithful givers to give testimonies. This kind of vision-casting is especially useful later in the year, such as around Thanksgiving, when you can share the upcoming year\u2019s budget and encourage year-end gifts.<\/p>\n

Giving is not a substitute for going, but it plays an important role in advancing the gospel. Therefore, tie it to your global vision.<\/p>\n

2. Practice generosity publicly.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019re likely reluctant to practice generosity publicly because you don\u2019t want to be perceived as a Pharisee who toots his own horn. Generous giving, however, is both caught and taught.<\/p>\n

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Steer away from sharing specific amounts you\u2019ve donated or pledged, but don\u2019t hesitate to mention percentages or personal gifts-in-kind.<\/p>\n

Although the Pharisees gave publicly to impress people, you\u2019re in a position to influence and inspire people. Your people will go where you go and give where you give.<\/p>\n

Scripture shows us that kings, widows, and everyone in between inspired others with their examples of generosity.<\/p>\n

3. Review giving data often.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some pastors entrust the matter of financial stewardship to lay leaders or volunteer elders, which is fine as long as they\u2019re up-to-date on the financial health of the congregation.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s inexcusable to use the \u201cfaith card\u201d to plead ignorance; financial holes rarely get dug overnight. Vision casting is more fun than vision funding, but we must \u201cmanage\u201d both our churches and homes, according to our job description (1 Timothy 3).<\/p>\n

4. Open multiple giving channels.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most of us still pass offering plates at church, which is absolutely fine, but some of our people prefer other options.<\/p>\n

Janet and I, for example, pay everyone and everything online: God, government, mortgage, etc. We desire to use every modern tool at our disposal to be faithful stewards and to fulfill our financial promises.<\/p>\n

Mobile giving has grown by 205 percent and, when done well, provides a more enjoyable experience for the giver. Online giving is available in 74 percent of churches; however, online giving only accounts for 15 percent of church income on average.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Do Churchgoers Want to Change About Their Churches?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Lifeway Generosity team just launched a brand new mobile giving app which allows any church to sign up for mobile giving for free.<\/p>\n

Your church will be able to \u201cturn every smartphone in the church into an offering plate and kiosk.\u201d This new giving app enables your people to give almost anything, anywhere, and at any time.<\/p>\n

Here are a few features of the app that got my attention:<\/p>\n