A Better Offering

Recently, Dr. Ken Sloane of UMC Discipleship Ministries held a webinar with Rev. Don Smith to discuss his new book, A Better Offering, discussing five offering habits found in local churches.

First Habit: Say Good-bye to Passing the Plate

With the pandemic, we have given up the offering plate. Plate passing has long out lived its importance. In his book, Rev. Smith does not suggest that we give up the offering plate, but that we also develop a new habit.

Second Habit: Start a Movement Toward Storytelling

Jesus talked in parables and stories are our best tools. Rev. Smith’s favorite story is a church who told its members that school children who were poor were getting cold cheese sandwiches for lunch while the richer children were getting hot lunches. The pastor said the next week the offering was $27,000 to be used for hot lunches for all the children. Additionally, Dr. Sloane expressed how he told a story about bed nets so children would not get malaria. He said there was a spontaneous offering that day to buy bed nets. Storytelling is a great tool and people respond to stories.

Third Habit: Repurpose the Offering Plate as a Virtual Experience

By looking at things differently, the Offering has been repurposed. Rev. Smith says he uses his phone with different apps as a way to give. Because of the pandemic, everything looks different. There needs to be a shift in the donor’s heart. Every time we give we should see an image of who or what we are giving to. We don’t have a budget anymore. We have a plan for mission.

Fourth Habit: Create an All-Year Generosity Plan for Your Church

There needs to be a year-round Giving Plan. Every Sunday should have a giving story. God is at work 365/24. God is doing amazing things through us. People need to be reminded every week about the importance of giving. Generosity is all year long!

Colleges and universities are showing us how to have these discussions. They know how to talk to donors about Planned Giving. Churches may be talking about money in the wrong way. We cannot assume that church members know how and why we spend money. Maybe we should talk about generosity and not money.

Fifth Habit: To Remember Legacy and to Lead Well

The pastor needs to become what he/she is calling the church members to become. Givers need to be thanked. Everyone loves a thank you. Universities thank donors no matter what they give. Churches need to create a habit of thanking givers.

The book has a bonus chapter, a How to Guide for Storytelling. Givers never give unless they feel a part of it. God moves in a great way.

We hope sharing these five habits will help your church. If the Foundation can be of service to your church, please let us know: 804-521-1121 or tommyherndon@vaumc.org.

Author: Tommy Herndon