For most churches, stewardship is a once-a-year activity that usually happens in the fall and is designed to ask for pledges from the congregation to fund the church budget for the upcoming calendar year. Every year this process takes increasing amounts of effort and pressure to convince donors to give more. Every year most churches find it is becoming a less effective strategy.
Here are some generosity barriers that could be affecting the level of ministry you are able to do in your community:
- Giving is connected to the budget not to the ministry
- Living a generous life is not taught as a core Christian value
- Only cash and checks are accepted
- Giving opportunities only happen on Sunday, or by mail
- Pew envelopes only allow a gift of cash or check
- Gifts are not possible online
- Automatic recurring gifts are not encouraged throughout the year
- People are expected to give because it’s the right thing to do
- The annual budget is presented as an income and expense spreadsheet
Agile Church has a different philosophy. We believe in a year-round stewardship program that includes spiritual formation to create a culture of generosity. We believe in giving donors the ability to support their church and its mission in a way that is convenient and timely for them. We believe generosity is inspired by how the church is making a difference in the world – not accounting spreadsheets. (Sorry accountants…) We believe the church should use every modern tool and convenience to make giving an act of worship no matter how, where or when it happens.
The Agile Church Stewardship consultation includes:
- Assessment of the Existing Church Stewardship Program, spiritual formation content, giving history and practices, contribution methods and tools with recommendations for improvement
- Implementation of Agile Giving Tools and practices as recommended and approved by church leadership.
- Assistance to the Church Leadership and/or the Stewardship Team via virtual or on-site meetings to develop an annual stewardship plan with resources as needed.
- One year of Stewardship Coaching for the Pastor, leadership and/or Stewardship Team.
If you implement our recommendations, we are so confident that this program will increase your contribution income by at least 10% over a two-year period, we will refund the consulting fee if you are not successful.
