Putting the Tools Together For Your Best Summer Giving Ever
Your vision is the driver, but the best driver in the world is worthless without effective vehicles to drive the vision to those you want to impact. This section of the playbook will share the essential tools to effectively launch your summer giving strategy. In the 21st century, we must use multiple tools to achieve […]
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the easiest ways to increase giving over the summer is through an effective online strategy. I use online giving options heavily in my summer plans. Below is a recent post I wrote for my sponsor: https://www.onlinegiving.org/. We are weeks away from summer, which is traditionally one of the most challenging times of the […]
From the Stewardship Journal Team
We just made it past Easter, which means it is time to think about heading off the traditional summer decline in giving, and the Stewardship Journal has you covered! This week’s issue focuses on the importance of planning out a successful summer giving campaign. Here is a preview of our posts: Mark Brooks, The Stewardship […]
Navigating the Annual Great Decline
Get ready for The Annual Great Decline. You are probably still basking in the glow of Easter, a packed house filled with promise and potential. Then, this past Sunday brought you back to reality. The typical church will not see any better attendance and engagement until sometime next fall. I call this the Annual Great […]
The 15 Offerings of Summer Playbook Plan
Use the chart to plan out your 15 offerings. The Who, How, What, When, Why column helps you decide the best way to communicate the story you are focusing on. Each offering is about connecting your summer vision to life change! Date Focus of Offering Who, How, What, When, Why? May 26th June […]
7 Reasons to Make Summer Giving Plans
As we continue this Journal about summer giving plans, we bring you a previously posted article by Mark Brooks. Originally, it was published before Easter. We have changed the first sentence to reflect that we are now post-Easter. You can find the original post linked at the bottom of the article. As we post this, […]
The Generosity Lane: Using Gratitude to Increase Generosity
What do you do on Monday after Easter? The tendency after Easter is to pass out on the couch to rest up. Yet, if you want to keep your giving tank full, you must continually think about your generosity lanes. I’m continuing my series on the key generosity lanes you need to increase giving and […]
Key Pointers for Expressing Gratitude
Years ago, I wrote a post on the key pointers for expressing gratitude. I’ve edited it down through the years, but the points remain good thoughts. Pastor, this would be a great discussion starter for your staff or Finance Team. So, here are my thoughts about crafting a thank you card, email, letter, or text… […]
How to Make Appeals Appealing
The typical church in America today seldom, if ever, talks about money for fear of driving people away. Jesus said, “You have not because you ask not.” I realize he was talking about prayer, but people will respond when we ask correctly. It is not that we ask for financial support that drives people away; […]
The Coach’s Appeal Tip Page
Appeals, written correctly, are one of the best ways to increase giving at your church. The key is writing them well. Here is my one-page summary of tips for making your appeals appealing. First, we must understand that vision drives dollars. The reason most direct appeals fail for churches is not that they are not […]