WAYS TO ENCOURAGE
year-end giving
celebrate generosity
Every gift has a story. What stories of giving can you share with your congregation? During your regular offering time, share how ministries have been positively impacted through giving.
nURTURE CURRENT GIVERS
A simple “Thank You” can mean more than you know! Write a year-end letter expressing your gratitude and the ways gifts have impacted the church. Also include current needs and how they can be met.
STOCK GIFTS
Many in your congregation have investments that have significantly grown the past few years. Now is a great time to remind members that gifts of stock provide no capital gains recognition while being fully tax deductible.
GIFTS OF RETIREMENT ASSETS
Those over the age of 72 benefit greatly by giving a portion of their required IRA distributions as a charitable donation. These gifts benefit the church and provide tax incentives for the donor.
SHARE THE HEART
This is the best time of year to remind others that the generous love lavished on us by God is the exact reason generosity should overflow from our hearts and pour into those around us.
“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.”
DAVID JEREMIAH
make a plan
PRAY
FOR GUIDANCE
- Best Timing
- The Right Words
- Soft Hearts
SEARCH
THE SCRIPTURES
- Mark 4:18-20
- Matthew 25:21
- Luke 16:10-11
- Acts 2:42-47
SCHEDULE
MESSAGING
- List Out Messages
- Check Current Plans
- Add to Calendar
- Recruit Help
"Every good and perfect gift comes from above..."
James 1:17a
Resources
Many times the topic of generosity and stewardship is treated like something that can be added in to the Christian life– optional. But as disciple makers we cannot forget that Jesus spoke a lot about money. Therefore equipping our people with the correct theology of stewardship is essential. Let us be intentional to teach about money the way Jesus did, and not allow money to be a hindrance to following Christ wholeheartedly.
We love this workshop from Christian Stewardship Network that covers the theology of stewardship. Preview the workshop for free by creating a free account.
Let the “why” dictate what we choose to share with our givers. Be intentional with your words, so that your message is clear and understood.
- Celebrate stories of generosity in your church.
- Express gratitude to your givers.
- Share the ways they can give.
- In-Person
- Online
- Stock Gifts
- Retirement Assets
- Revisit stories of generosity from the Bible.
- SERVICE
- Preach a message
- In prayer during offering
- During church announcements
- Use your service slides
- EMAIL & NEWSLETTERS
- A special email to givers
- Include a snip-it in regular emails/newsletters
- PHONE
- Call to say “thank you”
- Wish them a “Merry Christmas”
- Take prayer requests
- WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
- Include language about generosity & stewardship on your online giving page
- Use graphics & captions on social media about giving
