The ministry of accepting the blessing

It is better to give than to receive.

A few weeks ago my wife and I got a new car.

The last time I purchased a car I got a trade in of my old one. 

I received a single dollar for my vehicle. And, I haggled then up to that price.

This time around, we didn’t bother with a trade in.

Financially, we didn’t need to.

Beyond that, we had bigger plans for our departing automobile; give the car away.

Over the last few days we did.

Without going into details, we found a couple in need and I had the thrill of offering them the car.

Frankly, it was as much a surprise to me as it was for them.

I had no idea, even ten minutes before I made the offer, that they were in need.

And, without consulting with my wife, I gave the car away.

But, the experience reminded me of this encounter back in 2009.

Just as I hesitated to accept praise 14 years ago, the recipient of the car - understandably - hesitated.

All I wanted him to do was to say yes.

Why?

Because, there is a gift in accepting the blessing of another.

There’s a ministry you can allow others to have by allowing them to exercise their calling.

Be it a physical gift.

Or an act of service.

Or a word of prayer.

Ministry is not a one-way transaction.

It needs to be received.

And, when it is, then the giver is blessed to see their blessing outworked in the life of another.

Why it’s time for the offering bags to return

At most churches everything appears pre-COVID.

All ministries have reactivated.

Attendance is back to normal.

Christmas will be business-as-usual.

Of course, the signs of COVID still linger.

COVID safety plans are still in effect - some social distancing, stay away if you’re sick, online services are still an option to tune in to.

But, one thing has remained absent - the offering bag.

These velvet pouches or wooden plates have remained in mothballs.

But, it’s time they returned.

Why?

Because we need to get back into the habit of giving.

We need to be reminded that giving is a communal activity.

We need to remember that giving is a physical discipline.

Online, direct-debit, giving - while absolutely essential during lockdowns - has stripped the congregation of the tangible-ness of the offering.

We need to get that back.

If we don’t, the offering will remain another weekly bill that we barely notice.

The habit of bringing your offering will go unlearnt by younger generations.

While I’m sure the offering bags won’t overflow with their reintroduction, since cash is a far rarer commodity nowadays, the lessons that the offering bags teach are well worth their return.

Has someone had to make the COVID offering request?

For many churches, I assume, that COVID-19 has been an unfolding financial nightmare. While virtual services and cancelled programs may well have reduced overheads, surely this has not offset the dramatic reduction from the offering plate.

Especially if you have a predominately elderly congregation.

Frankly, if you’re financial bottom line was dependant upon funds coming in from pensioners, then 2020 would have royally screwed your budget.

So, in a COVID world, how was this subject breached?

Was there, like the Bequest Requesters, a person - the treasurer - who went around assisting members in establishing electronic transfers to the church?

Was there a person who went around and manually collected giving envelopes? To this point, how would they be filled in during a lockdown or in an increasingly cashless society?

I don’t know what financial position many churches are in, but for those who are also dependant upon outside activities - all of whom had to shut down last year - the pressure to squeeze the offerings from the congregation would only have been intensified.

Breakdown of a healthy church budget

Between working at four churches and being a part of numerous church consultations, I’ve seen plenty of church budgets.

Usually, they breakdown in similar ways...

45% Operational - The nuts and bolts of church life. Insurance, utilities, admin, maintenance.

35% Staff - Ministers for all ages of life.

15% Missions - Outreach locally, global, personal and institutional.

5% Sinking Fund/Debt repayment.

These rough figures are, of course, dependent upon one thing - property.

Your overheads will be higher with property.

Housing and payment of your minister will vary greatly if you provide a manse.

Having a space you can rent out will dramatically increase the funds available to your church.

But, approximately, these ratios keep a church in a healthy financial position and give a congregation an appropriate idea of how much they can spend on staffing.

If you want to pay your staff an appropriate salary, let’s say 70k for a minister, 40-50k for a full-time worker and 15k for each additional part-time placement, then you can work out the healthy budget required.

From the figures above, a senior minister, youth or children’s minister and an admin assistant would cost around $135,000. In order to spend approximately 35% of your budget on staffing, then you’d need a budget of around 385k.

Alternatively, if you have a total budget of around 200k, then you only have around $70,000 to spend on staff.

Now, you don’t have to stick with these ratios. A church with a quarter of a million dollar budget could outlay 120k, or nearly 50%, of their income on staff.

But, it will come at a cost.

Either, mission funding will be squeezed or the church will be vulnerable to financial pressures.

At times, this can be deemed appropriate or manageable but, long-term, messing with these figures will cause pain for the staff members, treasurer and, ultimately, congregation.

The two controversies concerning church mission finances

Whenever a church makes their budget, a tension surrounding missions will linger - geographical and personal.

Do they support local missions or beyond?

Do they support people those they know personally or larger organisations?

The tension - born out of the expanding geographic locals from Acts 1:8 - exists because the mission of God exists on many levels - local, regional and global.

But, like all tensions, they are to be balanced.

And, managing the tension is yet another reason why church treasurers deserve a special place in heaven.

The art of faux giving

I can't recall the last time I put currency into an offering plate or bag.

Sure, I've been in plenty of church services where an offering has occurred, I just haven't reached into my wallet.

For, whenever I give, I now do a direct transfer from my bank account into the church's account (it's because of people like me that it's incredibly stupid for a church not to provide these details somewhere in their bulletin).

Personally, I just don't carry that much cash with me and I can then transfer an amount somewhat close to a tithe portion into the offering, which I may not be able to do if I was relying on cash.

Consequently, I now face the prospect of a faux offering.

For those uninitiated, the faux offering is when you pretend to give the traditional way, but you've got nothing physically in your hand.

Sure, the cards informing those around that you directly give exist, but really, whoever remembers to collect those???

The regular routine is to dip your hand into the bag and do... nothing.

But, this covert offering is ineffective with a offertory plate.

This is where the expert faux-givers employ their darkest magic.

As the plate comes around you place your had near the top of the plate and you tap the bottom of the plate with your other hand. This creates a thud which rattles the coins in the plate.

The risk is that those around you will only think that you've given the equivalent of loose change, but for those who are concerned that they'll be gossiped about over morning tea due to their offertory-non-observance, this trick can save face.

At least ever so slightly...

Giving vs Stewardship

Last week I led a bible study about stewardship and the topic got me thinking about the difference between stewardship and giving.

In short, giving - as the name implies - is about giving away what is yours to someone or something else. Giving is about letting go of what is yours.

Stewardship, meanwhile, is about using what is yours to share with others, not nessesarily giving away your time, talents or possessions, but expanding their reach to include or influence others.

God invites us to be both generous givers and good stewards.
The church needs its members to be both.

Do we even consider boosting the ministers pay packet?

I'm fully aware that what I'm about to propose, in most ministry contexts, is pure fantasy. After all, how many churches are meeting their church budget, never mind exceeding it?

But, in the unlikely or fortunately blessed occasion that the bottom line is in the black, does a church even consider giving the minister a one-off raise?

I write one-off raise because many denominations advise how much ministers get paid through the means of a stipend and how much their salary goes up annually, usually by CPI, often determined by a larger governing body.

But, if the church is going through a time of growth - numerical, financial, or both - and it can be attributed to the minister, is it worth, at least, entertaining the option of rewarding the minister for the fruit of his/her labour?

I pose this question off the back of this financially themed post which points out the awkwardness minsters face in regards to bringing up financial matters, including raises.

So, what would happen if a church decided - on their own - if the budget was, say, $10,000 ahead at the end of the financial year, to give the minister a $5,000 blessing?

How would it affect the wellbeing of the minister?
How would this change the mindset of a minister who has had previous secular work where bonuses were available if you meet or exceeded quotas or expectations?
To what degree would the minister feel encouraged, appreciated and supported, three areas where ministers can be particularly vulnerable?
How would it affect the way a minister's family, especially spouse, viewed the church?

Again, I know this might be a complete pipe dream, but I'm curious if this option is even explored by any treasurers or finance teams since, in most other employment settings which most people would be immersed, the "leader/boss" would be eligible for a performance based bonus.

Why can this not, on occasions, happen in the church?

Is a lobster per week a better budget?

NOTE: For my international readers, the $20 note in Australia is orange and, y some can be called a lobster...

When a church presents the budget, on the line entitled congregational giving, the number in excess of 100,000 is allocated for the financial year.

And, by itself, 100,000+ is a big number.

But, if your church has a hundred members, would the budget be easier digested if the giving figure was converted into a weekly, not annual, breakdown - around $20 per week?

If a congregation was told, in order for their church to meet budgeted giving, everyone would need to chip in a lobster each week, would this give greater understand to what was being expected?

Sure, for some, this might create an unhelpful sense of pride or guilt depending on where they fell above or below the $20 benchmark, but for those who have a regular, relatively disposable income, having a specific, manageable, amount could kick-start their awareness to give.

The challenge, as I've written before, is to ensure that the things the church provides are deemed worth the cost.

Are you worth the cost?

Back in 2011 I wrote a post about giving in churches and the scary notion of converting the amount given into an amount a minister would "earn" if they were dependent on an individual service or "charged" by the hour.

All too often, whilst the senior minister might eat, all their family might not (let's not even consider anyone else on staff!).

But... if we run the numbers... How much would someone need to "pay" per week in order for their church offerings to "break even" with a minister's stipend?

Let's say that a senior minister earns $70,000 per year. 

In a church of 100 givers, NOT members, each giving unit (read singles, couples or families) would need to give approximately $13.50 per week in order to "afford" their minister through offerings alone.

If you throw in a full-time youth/children's/family/community/pastoral care worker (or multiple part-time equivalents), the you'd need to tack on an extra $10 per week in order to cover their wage.

So, in short, $25 per week approximately covers staffing costs for most medium sized churches in Australia.

But, the challenge should extend to those who are drawing that wage.

Are the people getting "their money's worth?"

Did you invest enough in them in order to "earn" your $10?
Were they served enough in order to feel like this week was a good investment?
Did you encourage, engage, resource and challenge them enough to "deserve" your "payment" this week?
Did you draw them into an encounter with God that was not only worth their time, but also money?

Choosing to forget generosity

Matthew 6:3-4 - But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

In ministry there's a wonderful thing which you sometimes get to be a part of...
It's nowhere specifically on a job description, but it's a great perk of the job...

Helping people.

No matter if it's helping someone pay bills...
or put food on their table...
or get a job...
or store furniture...
or have time for their struggling spouse...
or a thousand other opportunities church communities can come together to make a difference in the life of another...

Sometimes, this involves a dash of sneakiness.

And at these times you need a dose of "giving amnesia."

You need to, purposely, forget those whom you know have contributed to help others.
Choose to never disclose whom gave you that money filled envelope to "quietly pass on."
Decide to clear your memory of those whom blessed another.

In this way, you get the privilege to quietly see God at work, being one of the few whom sees both the generous right hand and the receptive left hand.

4 stages of giving

I really liked this post about the stages of maturity people go through in regards to the way they view giving.

Stage 1 - I won't.

Stage 2 - I will, but I won't like it.

Stage 3 - I will because it helps out.

Stage 4 - I will because I want to thank God.

My only issue is that it seems to miss a half stage...

Stage 2.5 - I will, but it will be the equivalent of tipping - Nothing but the loose change I happen to have when the offering bag passes by.

Could you find a way to spend the cash locally?

Overseas missions are great... Churches should support them.

Activities which provide support for regional and outback communities are vital... Churches should support them.

Denominational mission activities need support. As do missionaries... No doubt.

BUT... Outflowing from a recent line of questioning from a budget meeting... If a church, for whatever unforeseen reason, HAD to spend the money they invest in widespread mission work locally, could they find a way to spend it?

I ask because I'm curious about how many churches are aware of local mission needs.

Could churches find places within five kilometers to spend, say, $10,000-20,000?

If not, what does that say about the church?
If not, what does that say about the connection they have with their local community?
If not, what does that say about the connection they have with their neighboring churches and para-church organisations?

Offering > Collection

Is it an offering or a collection?

Tonight my new minister mentioned a great point about the segment of a church service when people give money.

He said that the offering is a time when a believer offers to God gifts in gratitude of what he has been given.

Meanwhile, a collection implies a taking of something owed, like a tax or a duty.

In the context of a church service, an offering is a far superior term for what goes on when you part with your cash.

Thanks for the offering?

I'm been meaning to post on this for a while and have been inspired to do so by this resource from Giving Rocket.

Should a church thank those who give money in church?

I'm torn because I think the church doesn't value the sacrifice many faithful believers DO financially make. If... even if only once... a congregation were thanked by the leadership of the church for their faithful offerings, this would make a huge difference in the lives of those who feel that their contribution is being taken for granted.

BUT... I'm also pulled in another direction.

Why should a church thank God's people (putting first time givers or new converts aside) for doing what God commands them to do?

I don't know the answer, but I'm tempted to try it out and see what response I get.

Donation envelopes

I've never claimed to be original. In fact, if I think an idea will work then I'll give it a shot.

Today I tried an amazing fundraising method (is it sad that I was going to use the word scheme?!?).

When I first saw the concept (I have no idea where it was) it was promoted as "the easiest way to raise $5000". All you need to do is label 100 envelopes 1-100 and invite people to choose an envelope with the numerical equivalent to the amount they are willing to donate (eg, if they select the envelope with the number 20 then they need to fill the envelope with (at least) $20).

This morning I started with 30 envelopes (which would bring in more than $450) and they proved to be a hugely effective way to raise funds towards the 2012 batch of HSC Survival Packs.

UPDATE: I found it here.

Living in someone elses' generosity

Previously I've written about potential awkwardness created when the topic of bequests (money left to the church, sometimes earmarked for specific purposes, once someone has died) is rasied.

Last week I was told that there are people who are hired by the church to do the "bequest request." (Would they be the closest the church has to the angel of death? The essclesiastical Grim Reamer?)

But bequests are a phenominal way for the saints of the past to leave a legacy for the future. Many churches are living in the midst of their generosity.

The wages of staff members are paid.
Grants for new ministries come from these funds.
New properties are purchased.

In fact, my position is funded by the generosity of someone who is now "with the Lord."

In a time when it can be all too common, and too easy, to bag out "the oldies," perhaps we should be thankful that many good things the church is currently doing is (in part) able to happen due to bequests.

Non-negotiables

What is indispensable in a church service?

I think the bible reading, sermon, prayer and offering are non-negotiables.

The first three should be fairly self explanatory. We need to hear from God, ponder what it says and how it applies to our lives and, as a community, lift up our needs before God.

The last one, for some, may be up for grabs. Not me.

I think the offering is essential since it's a physical act of worship and obedience. The offering is one important way of showing your heart for God.

Sure, I work for a church and some may say that this taints my viewpoint, but I find it odd when the offering is omitted.

Sexy giving

I just listened to a bunch of giving videos here and one thing that caught my attention was the idea to make the budget/giving sexy.

No, this doesn't involve the treasurer doing a strip tease.

Instead it needs three things.

A need.
An amount.
A time frame.

Whenever you ask for money, include the three above things.

People give to specific needs. They don't to vague figures on a spreadsheet.
People give when they know how much money is required. They don't if their is no goal to acquire.
People will give more readily if they are given a time to do it by. People are wired to act within a date. Otherwise we will just keep putting it off...

Charging the offering?

This week the church I work for got an EFTPOS machine. Hopefully, this may mean that the staff will now be able to pay for events and resources by a church Credit Card (a day I have longed for in previous placements!).

Additionally, this will open up the option for people to give electronically in person. Awesome. I've had multiple conversations about raising the profile of regular, electronic giving to those in the congregation.

Society is progressively becoming cashless. To only give the plate on a Sunday as a giving option is silly.

But one thing about electronic giving has always troubled me... The option to give via credit card.

Now credit cards are not evil. They are just another tool in life that can be useful or, if abused, harmful. It is no secret that many people struggle using this tool effectively. In fact, Australia has one of the largest credit card debt per person on the planet.

Sure, there are plenty of people who knock their monthly credit card back down to zero, but what about those who won't?

The option for someone to go into debt to give to God bothers me.

If you are giving by money that you don't have (which is what credit REALLY is!) are you offering what is not yours?
Is this giving God the first fruits of your labour?

Of course, you could put a mighty disclaimer on your churches website or on the offering envelopes, but should the option for debt cards be the only one that is offered?