Develop Your Stewardship Strategy
January 2012
People enter every situation with preconceived notions. This is an educational fact. Sometimes our preconceived notions are completely off base. There are other times when when we know exactly what to expect.
Skeptical people have their guns loaded and are looking for reasons to become more skeptical. When it comes to church, unengaged people expect to be made to feel guilty about not giving. We often play right into their hands by turning a sermon about Noah’s Ark into a challenge to give more. Our financial pleas are often forced and unnatural. We come across looking more like a poorly produced telethon than a church. And the skeptical grow more skeptical, perhaps even cynical.
Newsflash… it’s not working because they aren’t giving.
If we understand the preconceived notions people hold, we can be more strategic about countering those notions. Without a predetermined strategy, we will inadvertently reinforce all of the reasons people have for being resistant to giving to church. Herein lies the problem in many churches: People don’t give because we haven’t countered their resistance.
So, how do we counter people’s resistance to giving? By showing them how their participation makes a difference. We must tell the stories of life change. When we do, those who are uninvolved will begin to see involvement as desirable. Their staunch resistance will weaken. Their attitudes will soften, and they will begin to give. Maybe they will give a little to start, but eventually, their giving will increase. Over time, their preconceived notions will change and they will become vocal supporters of the church and its ministries. Isn’t this what we want to see happen?
What’s your strategy to champion stewardship in your church?
David Waganer, Southern Baptist Stewardship
Development Association
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