I gave this presentation to six groups of pastor during a week long tour through the Arkansas on behalf of the Arkansas Baptist Convention.

2. Overview
Part 1: The problem with church funding
Discuss the changing rules of church giving

3. Overview
Part 1: The problem with church funding
Discuss the changing rules of church giving
Part 2: Push the limits of church funding
Define the elements of a game-changing plan

4. The Problem with
Church Funding

5. People no longer give to
the church simply because
it is the church. The
church must prove it is
worthy of donations.
-- George Barna

6. Charitable donations as
measured by per capita
giving of disposable
income has remained the
same since 1967 – 2.5%.
-- Giving USA

7. Billionaires are the least
likely to donate money to
the church.
-- Empty Tomb

8. More than $500 million was
raised for Haiti in three
weeks. The number
continues to rise.
-- The Chronicle of
Philanthropy

9. At least one out of five
American Christians – 20
percent of all U.S.
Christians – gives
literally nothing to
church, para-church, or
nonreligious charities.
-- Passing the Plate

10. The Problem with
Church Funding is...

11. The Problem with
Church Funding is...
The Great Silence!

12. The Problem with
Church Funding is...
The Great Silence!
“Fat” thinking

13. The Problem with
Church Funding is...
The Great Silence!
“Fat” thinking
Increased competition

14. The Problem with
Church Funding is...
The Great Silence!
“Fat” thinking
Increased competition
Attendance habits have changed

15. The Problem with
Church Funding is...
The Great Silence!
“Fat” thinking
Increased competition
Attendance habits have changed
The new “normal”

16. The Problem with
Church Funding is...

17. ...we treat church
giving as if it is a
FINANCIAL concern
instead of a
SPIRITUAL reality.

18. The Church can’t fail.

19. There is no Plan B.

20. “When he saw the crowds, he had
compassion on them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd. The he said to his
disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but
the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the
harvest, therefore, to send out workers
into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:36-38

21. The role of the
church leader is to
CULTIVATE the
resources God has
provided in the
people in our pews.

22. Before change can
take place, we
need to agree on a
few principles.

23. Churches have an advantage
over every other
nonprofit:
Weekly interaction with
membership.

24. Churches are the WORST
at capturing the dollar
and fail to
consistently provide a
“call to action.”

25. If churches continue
to be silent, the
giving levels needed
to operate this
complex organization
will not exist.

26. Giving is an outward sign
of an inward commitment.
Measuring giving is one
way to measure the
health of your church
and your membership.

27. Church giving is connected to
your ministry plan. People
want to support a cause or
organization that
accomplishes something they
can’t do on their own.

28. The more we remain silent
with respect to the
subject of money in the
church, the more likely
someone else’s budget
will be funded.

29. What’s your plan of action?

30. Overview
Part 1: The problem with church funding
Discuss the changing rules of church giving

31. Overview
Part 1: The problem with church funding
Discuss the changing rules of church giving
Part 2: Push the limits of church funding
Define the elements of a game-changing plan

32. Questions?

34. Overview
Part 1: The problem with church funding
Discuss the changing rules of church giving
Part 2: Push the limits of church funding
Define the elements of a game-changing plan

35. 7 elements of a
game-changing
plan to increase
church funding

36. Get beyond small
thinking

37. Survival mode off

38. Break the silence

39. Check your numbers

40. Build investors

41. Change the
conversation

42. Why should I give to
YOUR church?

43. Questions?

44. Ben Stroup
E-mail: ben@generis.com
Blog: churchgivingmatters.com
Twitter: @ben_stroup
Facebook: Ben Stroup
LinkedIn: Ben Stroup