"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." -Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)
Fund raising and stewardship can be the dual devils tormenting a congregation- or they can be outward and joyful signs of congregational life.
I choose joy.
I choose joy.
Gifts
As a nurse executive I learned to approach giving in an open and forthright way. This has served me well as a minister.
I talk about money. I talk about what our money does, and how much money we need. I talk about how we spend our money.
I talk about why we give.
I am an experienced fund raiser, and it shows. In my current congregation, giving has increased by $80,000 since my arrival. I ask for what we need, and non-pledge based gifts to the church since my arrival include:
I talk about money. I talk about what our money does, and how much money we need. I talk about how we spend our money.
I talk about why we give.
I am an experienced fund raiser, and it shows. In my current congregation, giving has increased by $80,000 since my arrival. I ask for what we need, and non-pledge based gifts to the church since my arrival include:
- a new church organ
- organ speakers
- 50 teal hymnals
- a new wireless microphone system (2 battery packs, 2 headsets)
- a new electric clavinova (gently used)
- a matching dishwasher and stove
- a firepit with 4 benches and a permenant wood rack (done by a local Eagle scout)
- a sanctuary remodel (single donor)
- 55" 4K TVs for two classrooms
- a 32" 4K TV for the front hall
- a gently used piano for the Social Hall
- a completely remodeled Children's Outdoor Play Place
Stewardship
Stewardship is a reality in the life of any church. As a minister, my goal is to make conversations about financial matters factual, honest, transparent, and routine. At LCUUC we are currently in our fourth full year of year-round pledging, and pledge amounts have risen consistently since my arrival.
We talk about money in our monthly stewardship meetings, where groups of church members are invited to explore exactly how their giving supports and builds the life of the church. They are welcome to ask questions, view information, and dream about what we could do if we had 25% more. Church members are encouraged to use monthly automatic withdrawal to complete their pledge amounts, and we have recently finished installing credit card swipers so that giving is available for those who don't carry cash or checks.
Giving is good; it shouldn't be a pain to do it.
We talk about money in our monthly stewardship meetings, where groups of church members are invited to explore exactly how their giving supports and builds the life of the church. They are welcome to ask questions, view information, and dream about what we could do if we had 25% more. Church members are encouraged to use monthly automatic withdrawal to complete their pledge amounts, and we have recently finished installing credit card swipers so that giving is available for those who don't carry cash or checks.
Giving is good; it shouldn't be a pain to do it.
Fund Raising
Fundraising is a partner to both Stewardship and Gift Generation. It can be community outreach, marketing, congregational fellowship, and even new member welcome.
Fundraising should be mission-driven, a natural part of congregational existance, and fun for everyone involved. It should also be practical, and provide a reasonable return on the investment of time and money.
At its best, the goal of fundraising is to provide an injection of outside funds into the congregational budget. Fundraisng should not routinely be an exercise in "picking our own pockets" but instead a chance for new connections and new financial support.
Fundraising events at LCUUC (a 155 member congregation) have included:
Fundraising should be mission-driven, a natural part of congregational existance, and fun for everyone involved. It should also be practical, and provide a reasonable return on the investment of time and money.
At its best, the goal of fundraising is to provide an injection of outside funds into the congregational budget. Fundraisng should not routinely be an exercise in "picking our own pockets" but instead a chance for new connections and new financial support.
Fundraising events at LCUUC (a 155 member congregation) have included:
- a professional concert series
- a barn concert and beer tasting
- a Time, Talent and Treasures Auction ($22,000)
- a Haunted House ($500 a night)
- an annual Rummage Sale ($2,000)
- A professional production of "Old Befana"