Pass the Kleenex: Why Stories Inspire Generosity
I don’t consider myself a very emotional person.
OK, maybe I did get a little demonstrative last week when I managed to SPILL COFFEE ALL OVER MY LAPTOP while working on this blog. A trip to the computer store and $110 later, all is well. My wallet is lighter, and my blood pressure is back to normal.
That’s one kind of emotion.
Then there’s the other kind of emotion. The kind that makes your heart swell and gives you all the feels.
A book you’ve read. (Theo of Golden – five hankies)
A movie you’ve seen. (Toy Story 5 – three hankies)
A song you’ve sung. (Here I Am, Lord at Annual Conference – an entire box of Kleenex)
Emotion can move you in profound ways.
That’s why storytelling is so important.
Stories can move people to be generous.
Development expert Mary Cahalane says:
As fundraisers, we know to focus on feelings when trying to reach donors and prospective donors. It’s easy to think that marshaling a list of logical reasons to give would be most persuasive. But we know that’s not the case. Emotions rule.
Back in the day, people gave testimonies in church.
For a variety of reasons, that term has fallen into disfavor. The practice was often misused, emotionally manipulative, and sometimes took advantage of vulnerable people.
However, if testifying is the means to tell a story of transformation, of a life changed, of moving from darkness to light…where better to share that but in church? There are people who want their story to be told – heck, they want to tell their story.
Ironically, maybe we’re the ones who are afraid of emotional vulnerability in church.
The Gospels are full of stories of emotional vulnerability. Jesus weeping. The prodigal son. The women at the empty tomb. Zaccheus. The woman at the well. Time and time again, we are provided stories that evoke a strong emotion. Maybe even a catch in the throat.
What stories are you telling at church? Who in your congregation wants to share the transforming power that faith has had in their lives? Who wants to tell the good news that your church has fostered a sense of belonging and given them hope?
You can work with somebody so that they can tell their story. Or, with their help and permission, you can tell their story for them.
So don’t be afraid if someone gets a little verklempt in church. Tears can be a positive release. Particularly if the story is powerful or if the hymn or praise song evokes the need for a Kleenex.
The bonus? It can unleash generosity in gratitude for all the church does, has done, and will do.
Welcome emotion.
Photo credit: Liza Summer @ pexels.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. The praise song that gets her every time? I Am by David Crowder. Pass Cesie the Kleenex, please.
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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