Communicating Finances In The Church

"What are you spending the money on anyways?"

This is not an uncommon question or concern raised within the church today. People are more skeptical and less trusting of their government, leadership, and yes even churches. Non-profits do so many things from one day to the next that it is hard to even pinpoint every dollar needed in comparison to every dollar received.

Speaking on tithing doesn't always hit the nerve or core of individuals. I know that doesn't help you much when your Children's Ministry could use some new ceiling tiles and the women's restrooms need new stall doors. So how do we emphasize the need for intentional contributions?

Let's look at the top successful ways to communicate about money:

1. Create specific Campaigns: If your children's ministry needs new ceiling tiles that cost let's say $400, the fastest way to fill that need is to tell your congregation how much it will cost when it is needed by, and how to contribute. This helps the skeptical be able to "see" where their money goes. Most give more if they can see where it is going.
2. Service Needs: When there is a need for a particular service, let's say lawn care, we can make a list of areas of need. Create volunteer campaigns that do more than say "Hey we would love to see you volunteer more." When people can envision the task they can identify if they are built for that need. Let's say a shy person won't typically be the first to volunteer to greet at the door but he can definitely see himself helping to mow the church lawn or the lawns of the elderly. Let people envision and imagine.
3. Trade: Some small business owners don't have the funds to necessarily write you the check to build the new youth center but they may have resources they can trade that save you tremendously. You might need thousands of dollars in plumbing, woodwork, or painting. The last thing you want is someone saying "I wish I would have known you needed a plumber. I would have done the work for free (or at cost for parts.)" Communicate, communicate, communicate.
4. Access: If you have set a budget, goal, or campaign make sure it is VISIBLE. Don't just post it deep down on a page on a website no one can find. Don't send it in just an email to get lost in all the other Bestbuy ads and school cafeteria reminders. Let your members be able to see it posted. Create a visual aid for where you are in the campaign. Let people be able to drop in small change, write a check on the last day for the balance, or Venmo because they forgot their wallet.
5. Purchase Products: If you have the resources, sometimes investment in a cause for increase works! Let people buy the shirt, buy the mug, wear the hat, and if the margin makes sense do it. Sometimes you can get a double dip (someone willing to write. check and buy a hat.) Sometimes people associate cash with cognitive blocks. For whatever reason giving $20 in cash seems burdensome but buying the sweatshirt for $45 fulfills a need because they needed a sweatshirt. It might seem crazy to you but not to them.

Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.”

But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.
(DEUT. 12:5–6)
(Romans 12:13) Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

(2 Corinthians 9:6–8) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

(Hebrews 6:10) For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.