Make Your Pledge Month a Spiritual Experience
Today is a sad day. The Oregon State Fair closed for another year. I love it all – the quilts, the pigs, the Dairy Women’s vanilla-chocolate swirl ice cream cones.
I'm also obsessed with the gizmo hall. There are so many things to grab my fancy. This year, I got far more than I bargained for.
I was walking past the eye cream booth when a young woman worked hard to catch my attention. Not wanting to be rude, I slowed down and she immediately inquired, “What’s your name? You look like an angel. See? My name is Angel.” You can get me with flattery every time.
And then as she was smearing some lotion on only one eye, out came the kicker, “Do you know Jesus?” “Yes!” I proudly exclaimed as I fled with my free sample. Jesus and eye cream all in one package. My fair experience was complete.
Unlike at the fair, folks who are in your congregation are expecting that they will hear about Jesus. No one wants to be hit over the head with Jesus – though that seems to be a popular method of evangelism in some venues. We mainliners, take a more (ahem) subtle approach.
However, during stewardship month, it’s especially important to connect giving and generosity as a spiritual act. Yes, the church needs money to exist. It’s your job to tell the story of your congregation and why your church is essential.
But how much to give is a decision between the giver and God.
The crucial question isn’t “How much should I give to the church?” but “God, how much would You have me give?”
To make your stewardship month more spiritual so that people can answer that question, here are a few things to do:
Have a generosity scripture that you use as a centering opportunity (and bonus, people might memorize it!)
Read a devotional book as a congregation
Select a specific time each day to pray for the church and ask the question, “God, how much would You have me give?”
When it comes time for people to turn in their pledge cards, make it an opportunity for them to bring their gift to the altar and place it there as an act of worship.
Note: not everyone can pledge or may not be comfortable doing so. Make sure these people can participate and feel included by having on your pledge card a spot for people to commit to:
Praying for your church and its people
Dedicating time to making the church well-run and a place of welcome
Going into the world to serve Christ and His people
These simple things can change the focus of your stewardship month from “let’s meet the budget” to “we are helping to fulfill God’s mission in the world.” And unlike my state fair experience, there won’t be any chasing down people or banging them over the head. The pledge will come from a deep well of joy.
That’s worth a big, “Amen.”
Question for you: What is your opinion on a 10% tithe? Is it realistic? Achievable? Worth talking about? Send your responses to me for use for a future post. I’d love to hear what you think.
Photo credit: Marek Studzinski @ Upslash.com
###Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Next year is the year she’s gotta try a deep-fried Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Get the defibrillator paddles ready.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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