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The Stewardship Connection Alternative Forms of Giving |
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Congregational Mission Endowment Funds Stewardship Adventures: Increasing the Harvest 15 to 30 Percent
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"I
understand our finance committee has been looking into some
alternative forms of giving," said the Council President.
"Jean, will you tell us what you've been discussing?"
"Glad to, Bob. Our committee has been taking a close look at our congregation. We're a congregation that demographically covers the whole gamut. We actually have quite a large number of people in every age bracket." "What's that got to do with the finance committee," asked Mr. Sandstone, a charter member of the congregation. "Well, Mr. Sandstone," responded Jean, "we think it has quite a lot to do with us. You see, different age groups often tend to look at giving from different perspectives." "I don't understand what you mean by 'different perspectives,'" said Mr. Sandstone. "Whatever age one is, you write a check on Saturday evening and place it in the offering plate on Sunday morning. It's that simple." "You'll pardon what may seem to be an impertinence, sir, but that's true for your age group, and perhaps for others who are weekly givers. But for many of our members, giving is a monthly affair. Still others tend to give only when they're present. What we're about to propose may help create a more systematic giving by less active members." "But," said Mr. Sandstone. "Let's let Jean finish her report and then we'll ask questions," interrupted the Council President. "It was once true that the evidence of where our values lay was summed up by our checkbook register. But for many of us, especially baby boomers, busters, and what's now being called millennial kids, that's no longer true. For a look at our values, you have to examine our checkbook register plus our credit card statement plus our automatic deductions from our bank accounts," said Jean. "Never done an automatic withdrawal in my life," grumbled Mr. Sandstone under his breath. Jean continued, "We realize that for some people this is not so. But for many of us it is a way of life--just as stewardship should be a way of life." We're a rather big congregation. And we think we have to remember the cliché, 'Different strokes for different folks.' Our recommendation is that during the next 2-3 months, we explore this possibility with some of our members. When we conduct our financial campaign this year, we also recommend that we give the option for either a direct withdrawal from a bank account or an automatic debit from a credit card account. Each person will be able to decide whether it will be weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. "Radical!" said Mr. Sandstone. "Indeed it is," responded Jean, not sure whether he meant her or the idea. "But radical only in the sense that 'we've never done it that way before'. We're about to enter the third millennium. In Jesus' day, they didn't have checkbooks. I suspect that checks were once a radical way of giving too. In fact, what is a check but an order to withdraw funds from an account?" Fred, who had remained silent during the presentation spoke up. "I find your idea intriguing, but I have some biblical, or rather theological reservations. First, we believe that our giving is an act of worship. How does an automatic withdrawal serve as an act of worship?" Secondly, what about that Old Testament text, "Bring the tithes into the store house." "I just mentioned that a check is an order to transfer funds," Jean said. "It's not really cash, even though today we often think of it as cash. In fact, one might say a check is an earlier form of an automatic withdrawal. Yet, when we bring our check in our offering envelope, no one says it isn't giving. We could easily print up some cards or slips for the pew racks for people to place in the envelope that say, "Our giving this week is reflected in our automatic withdrawal of $_________." "Good thought," responded Will, speaking up for the first time. That way, when we're using automatic withdrawal, we would still be worshiping with our giving." "And," said Jean, "we'll still make our commitments as an act of worship. We think what we're suggesting may help to break down some of the old paradigms we've been operating under. For example, Fred, did you know that offerings for the full support of congregations have only been a part of worship since the American Revolution? Prior to that, support for churches was through tax dollars, even in the New World." "No. I didn't know that," Fred grinned sheepishly. "Maybe we have been thinking in an older paradigm. And for that matter, our tithes still come to the storehouse (the church). It's just through a different medium." "May I add another thought," asked Barb. It just occurred to me that this is also a good way to help those who aren't in church as often to give regularly. We all know that there is a tendency, even among some of our more active members, to give only when they're present. An automatic withdrawal wouldn't stop unless they tell it to." "That has both a positive and a negative side, though," added George, "they won't increase unless they tell them to. We'll have to help people follow through after each campaign. Maybe we can have a supply of automatic withdrawal cards for people to sign with their new pledge amount, and let members turn them in with their new commitment card." Mr. Sandstone seemed about to say something. While she wasn't anxious for more flack, Jean asked, "Were you about to add something, Mr. Sandstone?" "Well, yes," he said finally catching the drift, "is their any chance this might help with our perennial summer slump?" "Just our thought too," said Jean. "One of our churches receives about 22% of its annual income through automatic withdrawals. I'm told that it has almost canceled their summer slump." "Well," said Mr. Sandstone, "maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. I move we offer the opportunity for those who want to give it a try." Editor's Note: This is certainly not for every congregation, but we believe it is something that should be considered by some. Give it some thought. -- Eugene Grimm Note: Since this article was written both Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans have developed programs to help congregations implement automatic withdrawal. Contact your local agent for further information.
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