5 proven strategies to encourage church giving

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As a pastor or church leader, do you know how to encourage church giving today?

With modern church giving software, online giving for churches, and exciting tech innovations like church giving apps and tap-to-give, there are so many ways you can engage our community and encourage generosity in the Church today. 

Many dread asking people to give to their ministry. But this is often because, without a solid vision or strategy, talking about church giving can feel awkward, demanding, or even unbiblical! However, there are proven strategies used by pastors to make talking about church giving more exciting and more effective. Here are five simple ways to get started!

1. Focus on the “why” behind church giving

It’s important to realize that not everyone has been taught why charity is important in Christianity. The Bible has over 2,000 scriptures about money, tithing, possessions, and giving in the church. Once people realize the role of money in our lives, how to manage their finances, and why they should give, being generous is easy!

Understanding church giving requires understanding the “why” behind the use of money. Why do we need money? What does the Bible say about money? How does good or bad money management affect our lives? These are questions many congregants ask. 

Check out some practical ways you can help your congregation better understand the story behind why we give money to the church.

• Teach about biblical stewardship: Money is more than just a resource to covet or a tool to buy things. The Bible has a lot to say about tithing, as well as how to handle our money and possessions in a way that honors God and blesses our neighbors. 
• Offer financial classes: Coordinate with financial professionals in your church to teach finance classes. You can also use existing resources, such as Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, to host classes. Helping your church understand simple money management, create financial plans, and to be free of debt will change the way your congregation views money. ‍
• Talk about giving in the Church more often: Don’t avoid conversations about the importance of supporting your church. Instead, bring up the topic of financial giving to the church in an open and empathetic manner using the techniques found in this article. 

2. Start storytelling

Today Americans are less churched than ever before. This means that many people don’t know the importance of giving in the Church, which naturally leads them to ask the question, “What do churches do with tithes they receive?”

A simple yet effective way to address this is to share stories showing your church giving back to the community, both locally and around the world. Give real-life examples that your congregation will connect with. For example:

• Your church has been supporting an orphanage in Guatemala. Ask your missionaries to gather testimonial videos from the children and orphanage staff. Share these stories of how children’s lives have been forever changed by your congregation’s contributions.
• Your community was hit by a powerful storm that caused widespread damage. In response, your church organized relief efforts, food supplies, and emergency shelter. All of this required a lot of time, energy, and money to coordinate and implement. Thanking your team and volunteers publicly and having them share their testimonies will inspire your congregation. 
• A woman in your congregation needed financial support due to a medical emergency. Your church rallied and raised money to help her, and now she wants to thank everyone for their generosity. Give her the stage and let her share what a difference their giving made in her life!

3. Offer more church giving options

If your church’s giving options are limited to a collection plate, you’re missing out! Not only does adding more giving options increase your overall donations, it also improves the giving experience for your donors! Consider adding these options to your giving tool belt:

• Online giving for churches: Offering digital giving options such as Subsplash Giving increases donations by an average of 32%. Create engaging giving slides to use during your services that show how to donate through your mobile app, website, and text to give. 
• Non-charitable purchases: Selling tickets to an event, merchandise, or other purchases are great ways to raise money to support your church’s mission. While these are not tax deductible, Subsplash Giving created Payments to allow you to accept non-charitable purchases alongside receiving tax-deductible donations. 
• Online fundraisers: Use today’s technology to run fundraising campaigns online. These can be fun and exciting, like a virtual race fundraiser, or more geared towards a specific age group, like a virtual movie night. These will raise awareness and funds to help the special financial needs facing your church community.‍
• Stock & cryptocurrency: For many churches, stock and crypto donations feel like uncharted territory—but it doesn’t have to! Accepting stock and cryptocurrency is a great way to unlock larger donations, offer greater tax incentives to donors, and invest in your church’s future. ‍
• Tap-to-give: Whether it’s on a seatback, welcome table, or offering box, equip your community to give in the moment with a tap-to-give option. A simple tap of a smartphone to a disc or stand is all it takes to partner with your mission.

Adding church giving software can make a big difference. Many churches are now seeing the benefits of streamlining their church online giving tools through trusted platforms that make both charitable and non-charitable contributions easy and secure.        

4. Build trust

67% of people consider trusting an organization highly important before making a donation. Churches should not assume that people automatically have a high level of trust in them as an organization. Building trust is, therefore, critical for encouraging tithes and charitable donations.

For instance, in an effort to prioritize transparency, schedule an end-of-year financial review to share the state of your church’s giving. Present your church’s current financial status, what was accomplished because of the donations received, along with which strategies and campaigns worked and which didn’t do so well. This will showcase your stewardship and financial practices. 

A personal and authentic way to build trust is by providing firsthand opportunities for people to serve alongside your church in the community. For example, allow volunteers to support a church service at a nursing home and spend time talking with the residents. Invite your congregation to help deliver meals to the homeless, hear their stories, and pray with them. These are personal and powerful experiences of helping others in need that reflect the real impact your church is making. 

5. Celebrate your capital campaign achievements

‍Church capital campaigns are long-term initiatives that raise a specific amount of funds that are significantly above and beyond regular tithes and offerings. There are many reasons that your churches hold capital campaigns, such as purchasing a new property, renovating a church facility, paving a new parking lot, or paying off the church’s debt. These campaigns take a lot of personal sacrifice, communication, coordination, and management to be effective.

That’s why it’s important to take time to celebrate your church’s capital campaign accomplishments. Highlight success stories and invite your team to share what was made possible thanks to the generosity of your church. Spread the news on social media, throw a party, and help everyone celebrate!

Next steps

From managing a capital campaign to improving church online giving to preaching sermons on financial stewardship, encouraging church giving takes effort and intentionality, and leveraging the right church giving software can dramatically improve results. Tools like a church giving app make it easier than ever to maintain momentum and meet giving goals.

The bottom line is that with some effort and creativity, you can make talking about church giving an exciting and engaging topic. Telling stories, offering financial education, building trust, and celebrating victories set the stage for cheerful giving!

Another great place to start is by providing your church with Subsplash Giving, which enables them to give anytime, anywhere. If you’re interested in learning more about using the best giving platform for your church, [.blog-contact-cta]let’s chat![.blog-contact-cta]

More resources you may find helpful

• Subsplash Tap is here! Give, connect, engage—simply by tapping your phone
• From donor fatigue to fulfillment: Rethinking how we inspire generosity
• 21 Bible verses about tithes and offerings
• Is it time to switch your online giving?
• Welcome to church: 10 ways to make your visitors feel at home