Church Executive SEPT / OCT 2019 DIGITAL ISSUE | Page 35

Cordovado: One challenge is to encourage giving without giving the
wrong impression (i.e., that the church is always asking for money).
Another challenge is getting the technology in place before year-end.
Frazier: Some churches struggle to talk about money, even during year-
end when people are feeling most generous. Others simply don’t have time
to focus as heavily on year-end gifts because there are so many activities
competing for attention.
One of the biggest challenges is that churches wait too long to begin
discussing and strategizing about year-end giving. While year-end gifts
naturally boost church finances, with a strategic plan to promote it and
the right digital giving tools in place, giving could increase even more.
The best way to combat these challenges is to have a plan and implement
it sooner rather than later — we’re talking September or even earlier!
Compared to more traditional giving options, in what ways can technology
uniquely inspire giving during a church’s year-end worship services and
Christmas events?
Cordovado: Technology is only part of the answer — it will make
giving easier and help you manage it but not motivate members to
give in the first place. Churches need to instill a sense of mission and
purpose, and get people to want to participate in the work of the Creator
of the universe — in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
Frazier: Technology is a fantastic way to inspire year-end giving because
people are using it to celebrate the season. Most people already pull out
their phone during church to access their Bible app or take pictures during
the Christmas play. Giving via text or online is literally at their fingertips!
With digital giving, churches can also create a special year-end fund for
givers to choose. When people see the gift is unique from normal giving,
they might be inspired to contribute a little more than usual.
Pollock: Many churches saw nearly a 10-percent decline in year-end
giving last year. I think technology not only enables digital giving, but
empowers churches to share great news about upcoming campaigns and
initiatives that are helping the community. People are inspired when
they see how their gift is impacting the lives of others. Leverage it to tell
a story — whether that’s through personal communication in an app or
email, or sharing a video on social media.
Is it fair to say that technology can drive more generous giving (versus
traditional giving options) at year’s end? If so, why?
Frazier: Absolutely! People are more generous during year-end, but that
doesn’t mean they carry more cash on them or remember to throw a check
in their wallet. If they’re inspired to give the church $100, but they only
have $40 cash on them, they’ll simply give less if it’s the only option.
With online, text and app giving options, people can donate as much
as they want. Plus, they aren’t limited to giving in church during the
offering. They can give any day and time of the week. If they prefer to give
when balancing their own budget at home in front of the computer, they
can. It’s whatever’s most convenient for them.
Pollock: Technology can absolutely drive more generosity. In fact, those
who give digitally are simply more generous. We know that, on average,
digital givers donate 33% more than non-digital givers and that they’re
eight times more likely to give to multiple initiatives within their church.
Providing a convenient, seamless way for people to contribute will
increase the volume of gifts.
In addition, initiating separate campaigns for specific ministry efforts
or year-end community needs oftentimes inspires people to give on top of
their regular tithe.
Cordovado: Technology can help with giving the whole year — see
next question.
In what ways can churches use technology at year’s end to encourage
long-term giving throughout the year, or sustained giving — in effect,
lessening a church’s dependence on year-end giving?
Pollock: Did you know that only 27% of digital giving actually happens
on Sunday? That means 73% of digital giving happens Monday through
Saturday. A big part of that is because of recurring gifts.
Whether your team decides to default to recurring giving within the
app or focuses on communicating the value of recurring gifts during
Sunday services, providing a digital way to manage recurring tithes
enables you to better forecast funds throughout the year, not just during
the holiday season.
Cordovado: To encourage long-term giving throughout the year,
technology can help in these ways:
Asking members to pledge a certain amount increases giving. The best way
is to ask each member to prayerfully consider how God has gifted them
with their time, talents and treasures and to explore in prayer how much
God is calling them to commit to the church. On average, members will
give 4.6% of their income, while just asking them how much they will
give, results in giving 2.9% of their income. Without pledges, members
donate only 1.5%.
Technology can help to manage pledges, by: including pledge info on
quarterly statements or other reports so that members are reminded of
what they committed; thanking those who have fulfilled their pledges;
and encouraging those who are falling short on their pledges.
Technology can facilitate communication with your members. For example,
showing appreciation for giving, such as when a new member makes
their first contribution. It can also inform members of how their giving is
fulfilling the mission of the church. When they see what their giving is
accomplishing, they are encouraged to continue giving.
People want to give, but they need practical help in managing their
finances. Technology can’t help much with that, but it can make it easier
for them to give and be consistent in their giving in the following ways:
• The majority of people don’t carry cash or checks, so install a giving
kiosk. Also set up text-to-give so they can give on their cellphones.
• Set up online and pre-authorized giving (EFT or ACH) so people give
consistently. This will prevent a decline in the summer. It also means
that if someone can’t make to a service, they can still give.
• Use offering envelopes with the date of each Sunday marked on each
envelope. People then know if they have missed a week.
Frazier: When you create a giving page with Kindrid, whether for
general giving or a special fund, a “Make this Gift Recurring” box is
visible and easy to check. Recurring gifts are deducted automatically
and incredibly easy to set up.
Without even mentioning this option, many of our churches see
givers sign up for it. Just having the option available on your website and
giving pages can make a huge difference in sustained giving.
If anyone wants to dig a little deeper into encouraging long-term
giving, they can grab our free 2019 Year-End Bundle with a video and
15-page strategy guide.
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