Resources to Support Congregational Stewardship

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
 
Thank you for all that you are doing at this critical moment for our country and the Church.  I continue to raise up your talents and faithfulness in my daily prayers and hope that you and your families are well.  In this new season of ministry, I am writing to provide some recommendations and resources to support congregational stewardship.  
 
History and Theology

• Religious congregations continue to receive the largest share of all charitable giving. (29% in 2018) 

 

• Americans tend still to give during periods of fear and uncertainty.  During the Great Recession of 2008-2009 charitable giving remained steady, with an overall decline of only eight percent.

 

• During this same period, Diocesan giving declined just four percent. 

 

•  Even at this unprecedented time, please remember that our theology of giving and stewardship has not changed.  Our giving is closely linked with worship and duty even in the face of the current crisis. Please see the attached recent presentation for a quick refresher and articulation here.  

 

•  Remember also that stewardship and giving are relational, not transactional or technical.  Relationship with God and the mission of the Church are at the core of stewardship.

 

• The biggest economic indicator of charitable giving is employment, not stock market or tax benefit etc.  

 
Best Practices:  Analysis and Appeal 

• With all stewardship efforts, there must be a foundation of prayer and a direct link to mission. 

 

• The Five Pillars of Stewardship – Prayer, Case for Support, Leadership, Prospective Donors, and Planning – are still at work.  

 

• The goal for congregational stewardship at this time is to sustain and even grow giving if possible.  Do everything within your power to maximize annual giving and pledge fulfillment. 

 

• Not asking at this time will only yield more suffering.  The Church must remain financially healthy in order to respond to the current crisis and later to support recovery.  There is a direct link between the continued mission of the Church and sustained giving.  And our appeals must be characterized by hope, positivity, and gratitude.    

 

• Know the giving habits of your people – how (means) and with what frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly etc.) they give.  This will enable you to best address the current situation and recognize anomalies.  Do not make assumptions – look at your congregational giving data and trends before acting.  

 

• Remember that giving is an act of worship.  Help people to give at this time.  Make best use of the Offertory moment, even if liturgy is now virtual.  Make easy on-screen prompts, and include the offertory appeal in service leaflet.  Instructions should be clear and simple.  For example, “Please visit [YOUR PARISH WEBSITE] to make your offering at this time.”  (See Generis sample here.)  

 

• Face-to-face asking is most effective.  While this is not possible, video and telephone are second best.  Know that email and social media appeals receive significantly less response. If you must make an electronic appeal, it is ideal to follow-up via video call or phone.  Make giving a part of your pastoral calls.  Use this opportunity to thank and educate around stewardship.  

 

• Please remember that the majority of giving in the Church is still done via paper check.  Do all that you can to encourage this while making a physical offering during public liturgy is not currently possible.  Sending out reply envelopes for the parish may easily facilitate continued giving in this form.  Current donors may be slow to adapt to new ways of giving at this time.

 

• On-line giving should also be encouraged at this time.  Nearly half of our parishes are already using on-line giving to some degree.  Often in conjunction with their database software.  Most are using the following recommended vendors:

-      Tithe.ly
-      Realm (onrealm.org) 
-      Blackbaud (blackbaud.com) 
 
When assessing potential vendors be sure to focus on clarity and ease-of-use for your parishioners.  When appealing for on-line giving, please do not ask donors to cover processing fees – this is shown to be a deterrent to giving.  
 
Tech Soup may be able to help you with electronic giving and other technology needs.  They provide very low-cost services, as well as donated hardware and software to non-profit organizations.  (See techsoup.org) 

• Remember that employment is the biggest indicator of giving – those who have lost jobs or experienced reduced wages are most likely to be unable to continue their regular giving patterns.  Pay attention to these folks pastorally and what these changes may mean for reforecasting contributed income.  

 

• Vestry, Clergy, and Lay Leaders must lead giving by example.  Encourage your leaders in this example and then clearly demonstrate this witness to your congregation as a sign of confidence and commitment.  (e.g. “Your vestry and clergy have committed to fulfilling our annual pledges in the month of April.  We invite you to join us in continuing to offer our gifts of life and labor to the Lord…”)

 

• You may also identify and make a special appeal to others who are able to advance pledge payments or make special offerings at this time.  Highlight mission rather than cash flow or any projected financial shortfall. 

 

• Remember that stand-alone appeals are most successful – these receive the greatest response.  Do not include an appeal for giving in a larger communication such as a newsletter. It will only get lost and garner little attention.

 
Special Events
 
Many parishes have necessarily cancelled events this spring including galas and other fundraising events. Consider hosting a virtual gala or “no show” event instead in order to raise some contributed income.  You might also collect ticket fees as normal while postponing the event to a later date.  Also considering asking would-be and early sponsors to give anyway and find alternative ways to recognize their generosity, such as on-line or on-site at the reopening of your church building.  
 
I hope this information is helpful.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional questions or needs for assistance.  I remain available to schedule clergy appointments, individual parish sessions, and deanery calls.  If necessary, scheduling during non-traditional hours is possible.  Please also forward any specific prayer requests – you are in my daily devotions with confidence in God’s abundance.  I look forward to being with you again when together we may proclaim “Alleluia!

​
​Faithfully,

​The Rev. Canon Suzanne M. Culhane
Canon for Stewardship 
sculhane@dioceseli.org
(917) 453-8591

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