The other day I was met by a Boy Scout selling popcorn. While I declined to buy the popcorn, I did give him some money as a donation. A day later I was thinking about that gift, and it occurred to me that in all my years I have never seen a budget for the Boy Scouts—not for a local chapter, and not for the national organization. What is more, that fact has never hindered my giving.
What organizations have you given to this year—without seeing their budget? Habitat for Humanity? Your food pantry? The Salvation Army? A mission overseas? Your local humane society?
Church leaders, since they spend so much time looking at the budget, are somehow influenced to believe that others must be as focused as they are on the line-items. They spend a lot of time explaining the budget and why people need to give to “support the budget.” Set aside for the moment the spiritual discipline of giving, which is tied to our love, relationship, and commitment to God, not to the budget. Simply from a fund-raising point of view, we need to remember: PEOPLE DON’T GIVE TO BUDGETS.
In my case, I gave because I have pictures in my head of my time as a Scout. More than that, I have stories in my head of the many troops in my churches, and the kids I worked with earning their God and Country award. I remember how earnest young boys grew into faithful young men because of the mentoring of mature adults who cared about them.
Most people give like I do. They have a picture in their head of the difference they are making. They don’t have a picture of a budget in their head. They have a picture of how giving is transforming the world more into the image of God.
So the question isn’t “What is in the budget?” It is “What picture do people imagine when they think of our church? What story can we point toward that reminds us how God is working.” Share that, and you will see the giving rise.
Wanting a greater understanding of stewardship and giving? Your Foundation is here to help and serve your congregation. Contact us here or call us toll free at 877-391-8811.
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Glenn Howell
Director of Development
Heartland Methodist Foundation