Fund Raising Thoughts…

Like it or not, if you are pastoring a growing church, you will be continually raising money. It is part of the gig. We just came out of our first real attempt at raising funds for our first move. To be honest, I had never done this before and really didn’t know what I was doing but, I think I learned a great deal from doing it. I need to write these down for the next time so I might as well write them here. These are just very random thoughts and are in no particular order.

1.) Cast vision, not need – You have heard this before and it is true. No one cares about needs, but everyone is looking for a vision to buy into.

2.) Don’t apologize for having to raise money – We have become so worried about talking about money that we actually get up and apologize for doing it.

3.) Be Specific about the amount needed – Don’t sugarcoat it. Let the people know the amount where God can use them to meet it.

4.) Don’t be afraid of the big ask – Don’t be afraid to ask the people to give. It is hard and it stinks but your vision depends on it, so do it.

5.) Let the people know that every gift is needed, big and small – Sometimes people won’t give because they can’t give a lot. It is all the smaller gifts that actually enable you to hit your goal.

6.) Help your people to realize they ALL can give – Equal Sacrifice, Not Equal Gifts. Hammer this point home.

7.) Be open and ready to answer questions – Most people could care less but there will be some people who are shocked at how much it costs to do church.

8.) Continue to cast the vision in the following weeks – We dropped the ball here. We cast the vision and the people were jacked but we dropped the ball in the following weeks and lost a little bit of momentum.

9.) Don’t ask your people to do what you are not willing to do – Make sure you and your staff are leading the charge in sacrificing to give.

10.) Realize those you think will give big, probably won’t – I am learning that those with money are the very last to step up and give. They will give and it might even be large but they will not sacrifice.

11.) Realize the small gifts make the goal, not the big ones.

12.) Look at who gives – This lets you know who is on board not by the amount but by the sacrifice.

13.) Let your people know how proud you are of them – No matter the amount, praise your people. They deserve it.

14.) Let the people know this is only the beginning. Let them know that growing churches raise money and you are going to be growing.