What Are You Doing About Your Giving?
There are some things that everyone needs to be reminded of when it comes to giving. The church needs to receive our gifts whether we meet on Sunday or not. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Generosity for Discipleship Ministries, says we should connect the dots. We need to share how our church is making a difference. We need to tell stories about what we do and what difference it makes.
Our Ministries Serve Real Needs. Churches that do Backpack Programs are needed more than ever. The children who go whole weekends with little to eat are now going whole weeks without a lot to eat. Churches that have Food Banks need to realize that many without jobs are in real need now of more food and sustainable items. Many churches that use their facilities for the homeless in cold weather will see a great need as we head into winter. Another church is trying to raise $100,000 for a new Building Program. Because the church is closed for in-person worship doesn’t mean that we should forget about the future and the need for more classrooms and bathrooms. We need to tell these stories!
Ask and Ye Shall Receive… Most of our churches are having Charge Conferences by Zoom. We need to communicate to all our members that we need to have a new budget and we need to meet our budgets. Doing so requires the help of everyone, and we need to share this story with our members. We had a church call us this week wondering how they could get funds for new and better video equipment. The first suggestion was to find out what it will cost and ask your church members. We need to be transparent with our needs.
We need to share with our congregations that we are making a difference. No one wants to give if their giving is not making a difference. Many churches are reaching people that they never were before. When people know the need – people respond. Has your church been able to keep its staff on salary and if so what have they been able to accomplish? Some churches are having Youth Programs and Children’s Program on Zoom. Other churches are calling all their shut-in members on a regular basis, and another church has been taking grocery orders and delivering to ones who are highly susceptible to Covid-19. We need to show people that we are making an impact!
When you tell your story, people will respond. When you tell how you’re reaching out and what the end result is, people will give. These are hard times for everyone and we can help those in our church and those outside the church by giving. We as United Methodists need to make sure that we are sharing what we have with others. How is your giving during this pandemic? Are you giving to help those around you? Are you helping to keep your church financially strong so it can serve? At the Foundation, we would be happy to help you. Give us a call! Our number is 804-521-1121.
Authors: Tommy Herndon and Bo Bowden
