Posted on: October 31, 2008
Just as plants require the proper living environment to grow to its full potential, churches that are hesitant to ask people to give or are heavy-handed in their approach seldom see giving reach its full potential. Those that create a culture of generosity will see their people blossom as generous givers. Giving will be an act of joyful worship rather than a duty.
Leadership must make an intentional decision to create a culture of generosity and then be the first to model generous giving. Seldom if ever will people rise above the level of leadership that is demonstrated to them.
Confident and consistent preaching on biblical stewardship is very important. If you preach on giving, giving will go up. The challenge is to sustain that inspiration over time. A pastor friend of mine says that every service should have a main sermon, a mini-sermon for the altar call and a mini-sermon for the offering. I’ve been in his services and when the offering mini-sermon was finished, I was excited to give.
The people at his church respond generously each week because the church celebrates giving! In my opinion, celebration is the most effective way to nurture a culture of generosity. In my visit to the church, it was so refreshing to hear the congregation being congratulated for their generosity. They were reminded of the many people that are ministered to because of their faithful giving. Giving was presented as an awesome privilege and as something that distinguishes them as a church.
People in the church will understand what the church values by what the church celebrates. Find examples of cheerful giving in your church, share those stories, and then celebrate. Be consistent; it will take time to create a new culture of generosity, but it will happen.
Phil Drost
Senior Consultant
MasterPlan Stewardship Campaigns