Bad weather is in the news as hurricanes have wreaked destruction, havoc, and death across the Southeastern part of America in the last couple of weeks. One thing often unreported or overlooked is how this affects a church’s ability to continue ministering to those within its community. In the immediate aftermath of a crisis, it might seem crass to ask how this will impact a church’s ability to continue its ministry. On the contrary, after a crisis, the church needs to be prepared and funded to minister to their community.
Several years ago, I wrote a manual called “Snowed Out: A Plan to Make Up a Weather Impacted Offering Weekend.” When I published it, a pastor in Florida pointed out that he never had to worry about being snowed out. I replied, “Do hurricanes interrupt your ability to meet and take up the offering?” The truth is, from the plains with tornadoes, the coastal areas with hurricanes, and the upper states with snow, every state faces weather that often prevents church activities, including the offering. Churches need a bad weather life preserver. OnlineGiving.org’s platform is a perfect life preserver for every season in your church, including bad weather.
Let me share a few examples of how our platform can help you stay engaged with your members and increase giving, so your church can best help those in need after a storm. Here are my recommendations for a life-preserver plan of action.
First, be proactive by continually moving your members to make their giving automatic and recurring. The best way to avoid being impacted by weather is to have a plan in place before a storm hits. Recurring giving is key in any strategy to head off a weather-impacted weekend.
Until a few years ago, my wife and I lived in Charleston, SC. Every fall, hurricanes threatened or hit us. We attended Seacoast Community Church, an OnlineGiving.org partner. After one hurricane had brushed past our area, forcing weekend church services to be canceled, I asked Jason Surratt, Seacoasts Pastor of Stewardship, how much of their offering comes in by some form of electronic means. He related that 70% of Seacoast’s offerings come this way. Much of that giving comes through recurring giving. As a result, the offering was not greatly impacted.
Are you taking advantage of recurring giving? We help our partners continually keep this focus in front of donors because we know the value of recurring giving. Weather will impact you at some point, regardless of where your church is located. Plan now to avoid problems associated with a weather-impacted weekend later.
Even with good pre-planning, you need a way to instantly communicate with your flock about potential closures, time changes, ways to help others, and your weekly offering. Again, the OnlineGiving.org platform allows you to instantly interact with your donor base. You can tailor-make messages for regular donors and those who only donate sporadically. My messages to leaders differ from what I want to communicate with those visiting or not fully engaged. Again, let me use an example from our partner Seacoast Community.
A few years ago, Seacoast had an opportunity to help churches impacted by a hurricane. Across 14 campuses in every service, Seacoast announced a special offering to benefit those impacted by the hurricane. On each campus, a screenshot was shown directing people on how to text a gift of support. They provided simple instructions and even suggested a default amount of $20. It was as easy. You texted RELIEF 20 to 320320.
Text giving has many advantages for a church. For one, it is quick and easy to use. We have found that the easier you make it for people to give, the more apt they are to give. In times of crisis, the need is immediate. Utilizing text giving makes it quick and easy for your members to give. It also means the funds you raise to support those in crisis are on hand faster.
At a time when public trust in churches has declined, showing the love we have for our neighbors is a much-needed message. Your members see the misery and hardships of people impacted by recent hurricanes. We give churches the ability to respond quickly to any crisis. Does your giving provider give you the platform to offset a weather-impacted weekend? If not, contact us immediately at (615) 206-4000 or support@onlinegiving.org.
The Stewardship Coach
After devastating weather events, local churches must be prepared and funded to minister to their community. https://t.co/u2tMB6uoI4 gives churches the giving and communication tools to weather-proof their ministry work.https://t.co/UPK5J7nNhi pic.twitter.com/pGJyJZQ2Ec
— Online Giving (@onlinegivingorg) October 11, 2024