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What’s Up:
End-of-June financial panic is real … and it’s predictable. The summer giving slump is upon you.
So What:
If your giving is in a free fall, you’re not alone. Most churches face the same mid-year financial slump. But letting it slide is a fast track to budgetary disaster.
The Point Is:
Resurrect the Plate
It’s time to bring back the offering plate. Yes, COVID made us pause it, but the pandemic’s over. That physical act of passing the plates and giving isn’t just tradition. It’s a spiritual discipline that creates accountability and decision.
Don’t Skip the Ask
Saying “There’s a box in the back” isn’t vision casting. It’s an afterthought. Use the offering time to remind your church WHY they give. Tell transformation stories. Inspire them with the vision. Make it holy.
Maximize the Moment
The offering time isn’t just about money. It’s prime time for collecting connection cards too. That one minute can determine if a guest ever hears from you again.
And … ?
Here’s the truth: Most churches are still coasting on bad post-pandemic habits. You stopped passing the plates, but you didn’t replace that moment with anything compelling. The offering got shoved into the end-of-service noise, between “Don’t forget the potluck” and “VBS needs candy.” That is NOT a strategy. That’s negligence. Offering moments are discipleship moments. They’re vision moments. They’re connection moments. So why are you treating them like an afterthought?
I get it. No one wants to be “that pastor” always talking about money. But here’s the thing: people want to give. They want to be part of something that matters. But if you’re not reminding them that your church IS doing things that matter, they won’t be motivated to do anything except tip God a buck or two (if they happen to carry cash … which most don’t). And checks? Good luck. People give when you make a strong case and make it easy. Right now, you’re doing neither.
Action!
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