Won’t a focus on the offering for Easter turn guests away? That is probably the biggest pushback for any discussion emphasizing giving on Easter. We’ve been told for decades that the reason non-Christians don’t like the church is because all we talk about is money. True or not, this is why many church leaders shy away from talking about the offering and even taking up an offering.
We don’t have to apologize for talking about the offering. Why? Because we know that giving is an act of worship and obedience. Let me share another reason why we don’t have to apologize for taking up an offering.
What if we misinterpreted the answer to the question on what people don’t like about church? We assumed that any talk of money or giving was what they meant. But what if they meant something different? Consider that study after study shows that most churches talk about money infrequently, if at all. So, how is it that unchurched people thought churches talked too much about money if very few churches are talking about money?
What if it was how we talked about money and giving? Or that we never helped those attending realize the power of generosity through a local church. Both lead to a demise in giving.
All too often, when we preach or talk about giving, we do so from what I call an “ought to” approach. That is a way to say we take people on a guilt trip. Guilt is never a good motivator to give. Those that hear that kind of message get turned off. It leaves a long-lasting bad taste in their mouths.
Yet, at the same time, we fail to connect the dots for them. How a dollar given here, at your church, impacts the world for good. The Church does amazing things, and people like to give to things that do amazing things!
I believe we interpreted non-church members’ answer incorrectly, leading to the demise of giving.
Nice theory, but how would you prove it? Charities. Think about it. It seems that all charities do is ask for money—all the time. In every appeal, they are asking you to give them more money. Guess what? Charitable giving is at an all-time high because of their asking. Charitable giving in the United States in 2017 topped the $400 billion mark for the first time and is now back to that level. So, something is working for them.
Take the Red Cross, for example. They not only ask you for money, they ask you for your blood. And we give it. Yet, when was the last time you heard anyone say, “All the Red Cross talks about is money?” Or, “All the American Cancer Society wants is my money!” You never hear that. Why is that? Because we know what they do, where our gifts go, and what it does.
If you want your best offering this Easter, let’s change the conversation about money! All too often, our focus on giving is based on guilt. We tell people they ought to give. We fail to show them why. We need to change the conversation about money. How does the church change the conversation about money? Here are some key thoughts to that end.
The problem isn’t that we talk about money. The problem is how we talk about it. Before we take up the offering, we need to communicate that…
It’s not about money. It’s about missions. The Church is bringing the Good News of Jesus to a lost and dying world. Missions start at the church’s parking lot and go around the world.
It’s not about money. It’s about ministry. Gifts to a church allow that church to do ministry. That ministry impacts people locally, but it also impacts me. My gifts are returned to me through meaningful ministry that I can get nowhere else.
It’s not about money. It’s about obedience. True Christian disciples understand that giving is a part of being a believer. It is an obedience issue. We must make generosity a part of our discipleship process from preschool to Seniors. When I give to my church, I am being obedient to the call of Jesus.
How do you set the conversation? By taking two minutes or less every week for an offering moment. Here is a post that shares more on this important aspect of the offering.
https://www.onlinegiving.org/support/how-to-raise-your-giving
If we truly believe what we are doing is God’s work, why would we hesitate to ask people to support it generously? Let’s stop apologizing for asking for money to fuel missions and ministry. It is high time we set the conversation about giving in a new light and context.
This Easter, make giving about missions and ministry, and see what a difference it will make.
The Stewardship Coach
If you want your best offering this Easter, let’s change it up! All too often, our talk on giving is based on guilt - telling people they ought to give. The Church can and should change the conversation. Here's how to talk giving on Easter... https://t.co/rnrrRf7Cvp pic.twitter.com/P4zMsi3y9J
— Online Giving (@onlinegivingorg) March 30, 2023
