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Growing churches are led by leaders who “make the ask”
11 months ago
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A new money problem
OK - I was asked a question this morning that caught me totally off guard. So I'm hoping people can help me out. A friend of mine said that she's been inviting a friend to church, but she thinks that her friend's own preconceived ideas about money & church might be keeping her from coming (to a new teaching series about money, strangely enough!). Could it be that unchurched people view church attendance as another new financial obligation that they just can't take on right now? Even though I ask our 1st-time guests to NOT GIVE every week, could it be that it still feels awkward to pass the offering bag along without dropping something in? This could be an issue, but I confess that it has absolutely never been on my radar. So what do you think - is this an obstacle keeping some people from coming to church? Did you worry about this before you came? And what can we do about it?
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I think once they are there and hear you tell them not to feel obligated to give and the fact they have the connection card to drop in the bag, it is not an issue. I think the bigger obstacle is getting them to come and see what it is really like vs what they think it will be like.
ReplyDeleteWell Todd, it could be an issue, or it could be an excuse, to separate the two, you would have to do that on an individual person by person basis. I invited my cousin to start going to church with me, she doesn't have money to put into the offering, and she has told me that it bothers her, but, she still comes to church and worships God. So, there could also be a factor in which how much the person wants to attend as well.
ReplyDeleteyes, i think that people feel obligated to give when the bag is passed even though you say that you don't expect them to. it's just the way that most people are wired. the only options that you really have... is 1) to not pass the bag, and 2) is to pass it... right? is there another option? will people still give if you didn't pass the bag?? maybe that's the question that is at stake here....
ReplyDeletepatti makes a good point. Some churches have a collection box... I'd bet some people give simply because the bag is passed and they do not want to pass it without giving something. So, not passing it could result in fewer people giving -- I'm guessing. It could also result in more people showing up, sticking around, and giving more later on too. That's a tough call... A Google search certainly reveals a lot of opinions on the topic.
ReplyDelete...Maybe you could try an experiment for a couple of weeks or a month.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I'm thinking:
Still have the 'time of offering' but tell people that we don't pass the bag around, instead they should take that time to consider giving and pray about it, and to fill out their connection cards (do business with God). "Member supported Church"
And tell them to drop their connection cards in the bags or boxes along with their offering on the way out.
Either have boxes on each side or have the ushers stand by the doors with the bags.
That's my rough idea... :)
I agree with Jason. Doesn't hurt to try some thing new. I have invited some and I did yesterday she says "Awww I have givin up on church... bunch of money hungry hipocrits." I tried to tell her ours is so different. I told her to give it one try and then I said give it one try you know I have clippers back here...lol Had to try and make her laugh she is going through a hard time.....I am going to change my sign from Stephanie's hair salon to Salon and Counseling...lol
ReplyDelete:) Yeah, when I invite people and they give me that look, or tell me how church people are delusional, I want to say something like, "I'm not crazy! I understand special relativity, string theory, basic quantum mechanics, and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle... I am a logical person... -- right?" haha
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts, guys! I'm going to give this some more thought & prayer myself. Steph - I think that you should add a couch to your salon for counseling sessions. And Jason - I hope I don't have to uinderstadn string theory to prove I'm sane!! :)
ReplyDeleteMy customers come to me for hairapy...lol
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Since I have attended so many churches and struggled with tithing as a christian I can say that the "if your a first time attender...don't give may lead certain people to think "so, if I come again...I'll be expected to contribute" Not that that is at all what is being said. But because people are so put off by other churches asking for money. It is a tough issue even for the growing Christian but stressing that we give out of the desire that God has given us so much helps people understand and seek honest grateful giving rather than guilty giving. You are doing a great job and it is difficult to change peoples views of "church" it will happen one person at a time as you continue to just love them they eventually will want to be a part of returning that love!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that is what he calls an atheist. (I think he is just rebelling from anything and everything that he feels he is not in complete control of!) When I asked him to join my husband and I for church and lunch, he shook his head and said "I'll pass." I muttered, "Not when you get to the gates." And he laughed, and I followed. I think part of it, is that he won't be able to close down the bars if he has to get up Sunday morning. I think he wants to live a lifestyle that is best for him, and not what's best for him in reality.
ReplyDeleteBut to get to what the rest of the conversation was about, money is an object for some. I think that what some feel is their "Sunday best" might not be good enough. But I tell people that the FCC Sunday best is also my Tuesday best. I think some feel they will be harassed with emails, letters, and phone calls. Of course we know it won't be that bad! Some feel they can't miss a week without getting harassed, so why go at all. Just a couple of thoughts......
Also, is there a networking list of FCC members?! I'm in need of a new hairstylist! And just wondered if there was a member list. You know, if I need a plumber/realtor/lawyer/caterer/babysitter I can use a fellow member.
ReplyDeleteJennibug I was thinking the very same thing yesterday. I have so much do dads, clothes, toys, furniture, etc that I would love to offer to FCC first. We need like a craigslist for FCC. LOL
ReplyDeleteTodd it's never bothered me.As you know this is very different than the way I was raised (praise God) and it never seemed to bother me. People have to get over it and get in the door. If they hear you up there they will believe you that your / church intentions are not money based. If that were the case you would be up there talking about how we need this or that or a new building, etc. The focus is the people=the church. Like Jess said if people would leave their fears and doubts at the door for a month they would be hooked. ;) Keep up the excellent work Todd and thank you for giving my family a church home.
ReplyDeleteNaomi and Jennibug, I can look into setting up a message board with various forums for different topics that will allow people to connect, share ideas, etc. We have the ability to do it, and it would not be that much work for me to set it up. We just a general idea of how it should work and what it should look like (i.e.: do people have to sign in or can they be anonymous, how many forums should there be, what topics, do we need moderators, do we screen posts before displaying them, etc.) I have a few ideas, and would love any input/collaboration on how/if we should set something like that up.
ReplyDeleteJennibug, in the mean time you could try Facebook. We have a group on there and lots of members are connected through there.
And Todd, I thought the added emphasis/explanation you did during the most recent offering time was great.