“How do you move ‘first-time’ givers into being regular givers?” This is a common question that I receive from participants in my Senior Pastor Coaching Network.
I tell pastors, it’s most often something that you’re already doing but maybe something you just need to be more intentional about.
Teach – Teach them but add an intentional challenge.
In order to move people from being first-time givers to regular givers, you must keep educating them. Continuing education gives first-time givers the tools, resources and understanding necessary for them to become regular givers. The foundation relies on seeing stewardship as discipleship, creating a culture of generosity, encouraging gifts through education and strategic stewardship practices, and following up with givers effectively. When you do those things right, you lay the groundwork for moving people toward regular giving, tithing and ultimately extravagant giving.
Here are 2 Key elements to teach about tithing:
Key #1: Teaching. Teach the biblical basis for stewardship during your worship services. Ongoing stewardship teaching is essential and should be part of the fabric of your church. Your people should expect you to talk about stewardship as often and as comfortably as you talk about prayer, Scripture or serving. (On a side note, I try to skip talking about regular giving. If I can encourage someone to move directly from a first gift to tithing, all the better.)
Key #2: Challenges. Utilize an annual giving challenge to motivate people to give regularly over a set period of time. People respond to challenges. Remember to include a timetable. Rather than challenge people to give until Jesus returns, challenge them to take the step of giving regularly for six, eight or twelve weeks. Many people will just keep going long after the challenge ends.
Now, this is not just a challenge for your people — it’s a challenge for you, too– to be able to step out of your comfort zone and speak to them this honestly. I know this is not an easy message. But, how can they hear unless somebody tells them?
That’s what the tithe challenge is all about — stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging people to step out of theirs.
Your partner in ministry,
Nelson
P.S. For more information on how to conduct your own Tithe Challenge, be sure to pick up my BRAND NEW resource, How to Conduct a Tithe Challenge, THIS WEEK only to receive $1,810.15 worth of resources for only $199.00!
In this comprehensive resource, How to Conduct a Tithe Challenge, you will discover:
- How to double the number of tithers in your church!
- The nuts and bolts of implementing a successful tithe challenge
- How to increase the obedience level of your congregation
- How to conduct each stage of a Tithe Challenge including preparation, communication, and follow-up
- What time-frame works best for a successful challenge
- How to implement the challenge from the stage and through small groups
- How a Tithe Challenge impacts every one of the 8 systems of a healthy church
- How to measure the success of your Tithe Challenge
AND THROUGH FRIDAY ONLY, you will also receive these bonus resources:
- The Stewardship Seminar ($99.95 value)
- How to Lead Your Church During the Financial Crisis ($29.95 value)
- Money Matters in Church ($29.95 value)
- Debt Free Pastor ($39.95 value)
- And TWO FREE MONTHS in my Renegade Pastors Coaching Network (normally $99/month)
Share This Post
© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.
About Nelson Searcy
