The Digital Giving System That Increases Church Profit Every Year
In the world we inhabit today, where automation permeates every facet, it’s quite a challenge to conceive of a time when digital giving was absent within the context of a church. During our previous conversation with Pastor Kevin Lloyd, he spoke of three pivotal areas of focus for instigating growth within any ministry: Staff, Culture, and Systems.
This time, we reconnected with him to delve into one particular facet of the equation – giving. Clearly, this is a complex realm. Firstly, the topic of money tends to evoke discomfort, particularly when it involves requesting financial contributions. Put simply, people tend to worry about talking about money in church.
For pastors and ministry leaders, a nuanced struggle often arises. While the imperative for funding the church’s ministry is well understood, the desire to avoid any misconstrual or inappropriate approach is equally strong. So, how can you overcome these difficulties and help your ministry grow? We’ve got a few tips to help.
A Simple Shift in Mentality and Strategy
In our interview with Kevin, he divulged the annual system embraced by his church. So, what was the outcome? A consistent 20% annual growth over six successive years. He encapsulated the transformative shift in mindset that underpinned this accomplishment in just a few simple words: “living season to season.”
Rather than living moment to moment in their annual giving strategy, they started living season to season. Kevin and his team strategically divide their year into several pivotal giving seasons, orchestrating all their communication and fundraising endeavors around these designated periods. This approach involves the deliberate organization of communication and fundraising efforts around these designated periods, rather than adopting a moment-to-moment strategy.
By adopting this structured approach, a church can harness several advantages. Firstly, it enables the congregation to align their focus and energy toward specific goals during each season. This focused approach facilitates a deeper engagement and commitment from the church community, as they collectively rally behind the shared purpose of that particular season.
Moreover, a segmented year allows for thoughtful planning and preparation. Instead of reacting to immediate needs or trends, the ministry leadership can anticipate and strategize well in advance for each giving season. This proactive approach empowers the church to craft more impactful messages, design targeted campaigns, and create meaningful events that resonate with the themes of each season.
What to Know About an Annual Digital Giving Strategy
Creating an annual giving calendar for a church with a season-to-season focus involves a systematic approach that aligns with the ministry’s goals and engages the congregation throughout the year. The first step is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the church’s vision, mission, and financial needs. Identify key events, religious holidays, and community activities that can serve as anchors for each giving season. Once these anchors are established, the next step is to map out the entire year, dividing it into distinct seasons that correspond to these events and themes.
After defining the seasons, the calendar should be populated with specific fundraising and communication initiatives for each period. These initiatives can include fundraising campaigns, special events, educational workshops, and targeted outreach efforts. It’s essential to ensure that each initiative aligns with the overarching theme of the season and resonates with the congregation’s spiritual journey.
In addition to fundraising efforts, the calendar should also incorporate consistent communication strategies. Regularly scheduled updates, newsletters, and sermons should be designed to reinforce the theme of each season and create a sense of anticipation and engagement among the congregation. Collaboration among church leaders, staff, and volunteers is crucial throughout this process. Assign responsibilities for planning, executing, and evaluating the initiatives associated with each season.
Regular check-ins and evaluations will allow for adjustments and improvements based on the congregation’s response and the effectiveness of the strategies. As the year progresses, the church should keep a pulse on its financial progress and the engagement levels of its members. This information can be used to refine and adapt the calendar for future years, optimizing the impact of each giving season.
Key Takeaways
Taking a proactive stance in communicating your message about giving brings forth a sense of focus and clarity. This replaces any semblance of scattered or bewildering communication. This deliberate approach paves the way for individuals to swiftly and comprehensively grasp the reasons behind and methods of investing in your ministry. As evidenced by Kevin and his team, this strategic alignment results in unparalleled growth.
So, how can you take a similar approach? DonorWerx is here to help. We offer templates for Annual Giving Calendars in addition to an array of pre-made messages, donation simplification tools, and donor engagement resources. We’re so confident in our platform that you can expect at least a 10% increase in tithes and donations — driven largely by digital giving — in just six months.
There’s no need to wait any longer. Schedule a Discovery Call today to speak with one of our giving experts. Get your team on track to living season to season!
