More thoughts on giving...

I ended up the other night, speaking to a gathering of local church leaders and representatives (Deanery Synod) on: Eight thoughts on encouraging giving to the local church..., promising them some notes online and resources.

I put notes about the first four online just before the weekend here - so here are the rest!

5. Inertia rules
   There's a big gap between deciding to act (i.e. to start to give or to increase a regular donation) that it can take weeks - and several 'nudges' - to encourage people from decision to action. Anything you can do, therefore, to make the process as easy as possible - from providing forms, answering questions (even before they're asked!) to giving an online 'button' to click and give (which we're looking into via justgiving.co.uk) - is worth the extra effort.
   
   Many people genuinely intend to get round to it, but just haven't yet... though making sure that reminders and help don't become annoying pressure is pretty key!
   
   
6. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
   There are few things worse than taking the plunge, either with a new standing order, or increasing a gift (especially when it's more than would have been just comfortable) and getting... silence. Just take the time to write a simple "thank you" note - it means that the gift is acknowledged and appreciated, just as it should be.
   
   
7. Don't take givers for granted
   I write to all regular givers twice a year with a letter that majors on thanks and which includes details of what the financial support for All Souls has made possible over the previous six months. It means that people aren't just presumed on, but get as much of an insight as possible into what their giving means in practice.
   
   Since I, as vicar, make sure I never see either who gives, or what is given, I write the letter and Sue (our administrator) sends them out for me - it's a slightly odd experience writing it 'blind'!
   
   
8. Handle with care
   Never under-estimate just what a counter-cultural and major thing it is for most people to give away money they could have enjoyed for themselves and their families - especially in the dire financial climate we're walking through at the moment. Every charity, church or not, has a particularly major responsibility to be 'good stewards' of every penny that comes their way.
   
   That means that the 'nuts and bolts' of financial planning, controls, spending and oversight aren't just an added extra for people who 'like that sort of thing', but a vital way of taking seriously the trust that's been placed in us by those who've given in response to the vision of the church.

Now over to you...

• What would you add as a 'ninth or tenth' thought on 'encouraging giving in the local church'?
• If you were the Vicar - perhaps you are in your parish if you're a visiting reader of this blog - what would you do or not do?
• And where could All Souls do better?

Tomorrow - the final part of this post - some resources for churches thinking through this area.