Two Ways to Talk about Money in Your Congregation Pastor Chick Lane

Two Ways to Talk about Money Public How money is talked about in public ways in the congregation How people are told of the congregation’s ministry How people are invited to support that ministry Behind the Scenes How money is handled How money is managed How income and spending are tracked How budgets are developed and used

Two Ways to Talk about Money Public and Behind the Scenes It is important that each is done well It is important that each is done in its place – Don’t let money talk that should be “behind the scenes” become public money talk

Public Money Talk Public money talk in congregations is about the intersection of the congregation’s mission and the individual’s discipleship.

What is your congregation’s mission? Do you have a mission statement? – Does it guide how you do ministry together? – Does it say anything or is it just a sentence full of nice words? What is your congregation’s mission? – What are you doing in Jesus’ name in your community and in the world? – What are you famous for in your community? – How would you do on a Sunday morning exit poll? Maybe clarifying your mission needs to be the first step toward stronger stewardship

Tell the Congregation’s Story People need and deserve to know how their giving is making a difference in the world.

Telling your congregation’s mission to your congregation The need to tell something many times using different media before the message is heard The knowledge gap between leaders and others Tell as you thank Tie your telling to your mission “Because of you…” “Look what you’ve done now…”

Stories to Tell The story of ministry “within the walls” The story of local ministry The story of designated ministry support The story of your synod and the churchwide organization

Tell the Congregation’s Story Some ideas that have worked – Mission moments/Thanksgiving moments Projection before worship Worship bulletin Stewardship Bulletin Board Monthly newsletter Social media Website

Part one of public money talk - Tell the Congregation’s Story People need and deserve to know how their giving is making a difference in the world. (…and you can bet that if they don’t know how their giving to your congregation is making a difference, they will be tempted to move their giving to someplace where they know how their giving is making a difference)

Part two of public money talk - each person’s relationship with Jesus Christ

Invite people to give as a follower of Jesus Christ, not as a member of the congregation.

Another Intersection – Faith and Finances

Jesus talks about money a lot! He always talks about the intersection of faith and finances in a person’s life. He never talks about the importance of getting the bills paid. Let’s follow Jesus’ lead: Invite people to give because that is what followers of Jesus do (not because your congregation has some bills that need paying).

Two Ways to Talk about Money Public How money is talked about in public ways in the congregation How people are told of the congregation’s ministry How people are invited to support that ministry Behind the Scenes How money is handled How money is managed How income and spending are tracked How budgets are developed and used

Behind the Scenes Money Talk Every bit as important as public money talk And very different

Behind the Scenes Money Talk Two important resources: The ELCA Treasurer’s website “Money and Ministry” Janet and Philip Jamieson

Behind the Scenes Money Talk Financial Practices: The Budget – Mission Document – Spending Plan – Accountability Document The Annual Meeting – What about a “Finance Meeting” first? – The one time the whole congregation should look at the budget – Why I was always nervous and what I did about that

Behind the Scenes Money Talk Financial Practices: The role of the Congregation Council – The importance of reports before the council meeting – Monitor income and expenses compared to budget – Make mid-course corrections What about “panic time”? – Keep the focus on the mission

Behind the Scenes Money Talk Financial Controls It is unfair to anyone to put them in a position where they could easily steal money if they wanted to. Don’t let personalities influence financial control decisions Ask an outside expert to evaluate your entire financial operation An audit is not a luxury, it is a necessity

Ways to Encourage Generosity

Three reasons people give Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate, Chapter 2

A belief in the mission Is the congregation able to clearly articulate its mission? Do the members know the mission? How have the members had the opportunity to participate in shaping the mission?

Regard for staff leadership Like it or not, in a congregation the pastor is crucial here The importance of the basics (“Pay the rent”). Just do your job!

Financial stability of the institution People don’t give to sinking ships. (Ken Callahan) Don’t cry wolf. Bad news doesn’t motivate. Be careful and be transparent.

The Three Pockets of Giving Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate Chapter 5

Earned Income Regular income, however it comes Most often earned income is the source of regular giving to the congregation. In many cases it is also the source of giving to special/capital appeals. The importance of previous financial decisions on giving from earned income.

Accumulated Assets Savings, stock, cash value of insurance policies, property, etc. Tax law and appreciated assets Most often accumulated assets are the source of giving to special/capital appeals The possibilities of giving from accumulated assets for regular giving

Estate Giving Accumulated assets given at a specific time Often given to a congregation’s endowment fund. Usually a problem if it isn’t. Invite this giving on a regular basis. The message will be heard only by those thinking about estate planning at that time. Seek professional help.

Five Motivations for Giving  Compassion  Community  Challenge  Reasonability  Commitment Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Compassion Sharing Caring Giving Loving Serving Supporting “ Many people do what they do because of their love for their children, their love for their family, their love for their country, their love for God’s mission.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Community Fun Good Times Fellowship Affection Belonging Sense of Home and Family “ Many people do what they do out of a search for community. The extended family clan used to provide a spirit of community. Many people are drawn to church because they hope that they will discover within a congregation a spirit of community.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Challenge Accomplishment Attainment Achievement “Some people ‘rise to the bait’ of a challenge. For them, life is one challenge after another.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Reasonability Data Analysis Logic Thinking that “it makes sense” “Some people motivate themselves at various stages of life’s pilgrimage out of motivation of common sense. For them, a course of action must be reasonable before they take it.” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Commitment Dedication Faithfulness Duty Obligation Vows Loyalty “Some people motivate themselves out of a sense of dedication and loyalty. They do what they do because they have made deeply felt commitments” Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Motivations for Giving Predominant Motivators for most people in the pews are Compassion and Community. Predominant Motivators for pastors and key leaders are Commitment and Challenge. Working with the Motivational Gap Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church by Kennon Callahan

Generational Gap “duty and delight”  Commitment  Institutions  mission + making a difference Community Causes

Wrapping It Up 1.Are we telling our congregation’s mission story in a clear, compelling way? 2.Are we boldly asking people to support the congregation’s mission? 3.Are we providing a variety of giving opportunities? 4.Are we providing a variety of ways to give? 5.Are we taking good care of the money people give?